Oh boy, I really need a boost of Christmas Spirit. I used to really love Christmas, but it seems like every year I dread it more and more. What's wrong with me? My kids are the one of the only parts that makes it all worth it. We put up our tree the other day and it was so fun to watch Abby. She still doesn't get what is going on, but she LOVES the Christmas tree and all our decorations. As soon as she wakes up in the morning the first thing she wants to do is see the tree. Then she spends about 30 minutes rearranging ornaments on the lower branches. So cute! Abby and I went to the Festival of Trees a couple of days ago to watch my sister Amy sing. At first Abby loved all of the hundreds of "Christmas stars" as she calls them. But it got boring rather quickly for her (and I have to admit, for me too). So we ditched the festival and went out to lunch with "Amy Aunt" and cousins. That was the best part! Watching Amy's group perform was awesome too, though. They did a fabulous job and I really miss singing with them. But there is a time and season to all things, right? Someday I will be in another choir!
If I get a dose of Christmas spirit soon, I can tell you where it's going to come from! Every year my family does a Christmas project in place of exchanging gifts. We have done many wonderful things over the years including humanitarian kits, emergency kits, sub for santa and food bank donations. This year we decided to make quilts to donate and also purchase items on the wish list for the Christmas Box House. For those who don't know, the CBH is an organization ran by Salt Lake County that shelters children who are removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment before they are placed in foster homes. Instead of having to spend several nights in less comfortable circumstances, they have immediate access to a full staff of trained individuals who can offer comfort and someone to talk to about this very difficult time in their lives. Some of these kids come to the house with absolutely nothing....sometimes not even shoes! So the CBH has a huge "wish list" of items that they need to help the kids just have the basic necessities of life, plus have things to do and learn while they are staying there. I am excited about doing this! I love this part of Christmas and I am so grateful for the lessons that my kids learn about gratitude, humility and charity from doing these special projects. Most of all I am grateful for my amazing family who are so inspiring and such a good example of unconditional love!
If anyone wants to learn more about the Christmas Box House and what they can do to help, here is their website: www.thechristmasboxhouse.org
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