i choose peace.

no christmas cards this year.

avoided the frustration of attempting to make my kids all smile happily

at the same time for the camera.

eliminating stress where i can.

choosing to focus on christ.

oh come let us adore him.

no santa this year.

kyle and i told santa we've got it covered and want to focus on jesus' birthday.

multiple times a day, people ask my kids if they are excited about santa.

we kindly reply that we are having a birthday party for jesus instead.

most look confused. that's okay. well, not really.

i'll always remember embry's response to the first question.

a lady asked him what santa was bringing him for christmas

and he proudly said, "santa's not coming to our house because his presents

(my ears heard presence) will be a distraction to us." 

eliminating the competition.

for he alone is worthy.

our gifts are different this year.

i could not do one more year of running around to find things...

just to buy them... just to check them off my list... just because that's what you do.

it completely distracts me from where i want to be. there is so much more to this.

even though others may not get it, it's where we are. where we are supposed to be.

we give you all the glory.

christ the lord.

praying that this will be the most meaningful christmas yet.

that we can take the time from the busyness swirling around us 

and truly adore the gift that has been given to us.

merry christmas!