Christmas Shopping

I had SO much fun today! My friend and I went out Christmas shopping for our kids! I got SO MUCH stuff, for such a small amount of money...now when you're hurting for cash and you can say you got a lot for a little..it's been a good day!

I was able to get everyone at least one thing on their list! Remember I have 8 kids! I was able to get 8 things that everyone can share! I was even able to get things that they need! It was an awesome day! Of course it took 9 hours, but hey! I was wiling to put in the time.

I wish there was a way to explain how much I enjoy doing this. We are usually so tight every month that I don't get to spoil my kids without help. And that's the case now too. We were given gift cards to send however we wanted...so I blew it all on the kids! I grew up in house where we gave and gave and gave at Christmas time. It' just what we did. So when we thought we weren't going to have anything to give the kids from us this year it hurt me. I know my parents will spoil them, but it's not the same.

I like doing things for our kids. I make a big to-do over birthday cakes, and making cookies with them, and trimming the tree, doing craft projects, planning days out and play dates for them. I want them to have memories of all the things we did together and the things that Quincy and I did for them. I think it's important when they're older to understand the things we sacrifice sometimes for them to have what they do. It makes them grateful and more appreciative of things and us. I was/am of my parents. It's why I love to give so much.

I love seeing them giggling and giddy when they tear open the paper and find the one thing that they really wanted. We don't do "Santa Claus"..they think he's just a guy in the movies. So we don't get upstaged by the old man in a red suit. They know that what they get comes straight from us and their grandparents. The squeal and laugh all day with their stuff, and nothing melts my heart more. I love to see them happy. I love to hear their laughter. And I love getting the hugs and being told "you're the best mom in the whole world!" What can top that?

I just pray that they will keep our family traditions and learn to love giving as much as I do. It's important to me that they do. My best childhood memories are of Christmas as a little girl. I hope someday our kids will say the same.