It's Christmas time again. It doesn't feel like it.

Oh sure, there's snow on the ground. Although given the last couple of years, that is a bit of a surprise.

There are decorations. Although, this year not as many. It's hard to find time to put them up with a 10 month old running around. And by running, I really mean crawling with purpose. The fact that the snow arrived and early this year also didn't help matters. So there are basically no lights up outside.

Family is together again. And the boys are fighting... again. Their sister arriving seems to have brought out the brother in both of them. They let her walk all over them, but don't seem to extend the same feelings toward one another. It's a race to be the "alpha" brother.

My favorite Christmas activity didn't happen this year. Well it did, but not nearly as much. Typically the month of November and December are reserved noise wise for Christmas music. Just didn't happen this year. I have probably listened to 5 or 6 hours of Christmas music total this year instead of 5 to 6 hours a day. Now I did get a chance to go out caroling with family and friends, so all was not lost. Well except maybe the hearing of those who stood ahead of me. Either that or maybe they wish they lost their hearing. :)

The Christmas presents are wrapped. Or rather were wrapped. They've been opened since. And I think we were able to have a good Christmas and still spend less.

We also were able to make it to the Christmas service which we haven't always been able to do. Actually family took part in it, so we in one shape or another were at all the Christmas services. That's the way things have been going this season though. There are very few nights when the family is home together before 8:30 at night. Between sports, concerts, practice, church and work the focus is hard to maintain.

The good news is that the child who was born this day in the city of David, loves us no less when we are swamped, then when we are sitting still. Hard not to worship someone who would love us that much.

And so this next year, I hope to slow down a little. Enjoy the moment a little more. Laugh at the kids fighting (over their favorite sibling). Listen to more music and less teaching. Enjoy the blessings that have been bestoyed and share those blessings with others.

Edit: I know the pictures aren't working. Unfortunately... the insanity is back and I don't have time to fix them now. We'll get there eventually. :)

Edit: The pictures are fixed.