'Tis the Season

It's that time of year. 

You catch yourself singing along to the tunes that are familiar between all generations while walking down aisle 7 of the grocery store.

Boxes (and boxes and boxes-if you are in my family) of glistening adornments are pulled from storage. Each one nestling treasures that spark the fire that warms your heart.

Homes become cozy cottages, even in the driest of deserts.

Families join together to participate in the annual holiday traditions. 

Pine trees made of synthetics sprout from living room floors, surrounded by love; love wrapped in especially picked paper and topped with the perfect bow.

I would consider myself to one of the biggest fans of Christmas. I love everything about it. I look forward to it each and every year. I love that my family comes together and exchanges gifts. Not for the purpose of receiving them, but to see how much thought and love was put into picking out that "perfect present". My family might not be good at a lot of things as a whole, but we are great gift givers. Spending hours upon hours, days upon days, starting the day after the last Christmas has passed-to find that perfect "ah-ha!" treasure for each and every person. As I reflect back on Christmas's of old...I have started making a list of some of the gifts exchanged between my family that will never be forgotten. 

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Grandpa's Arctic Cat- "For me? For me?"-To: Grandpa From: Family Delivered By: Nick and Joe
2.Patrick's Coin Collection, taped onto a piece of paper- To: Mo From: Patrick
3. Mimi's Gun- To: Joe From: Mimi (The year Joe got 1 present!)
4.  Silver Dollars and 50 Cent Pieces- To: Kim, Robin, Tina From: Ray
5. Kieren's Smelly Cat- To: Kieren From: Aunt T and Kimmy
6. Gorilla Glue "It will change your life","What is it? Viagra?"- To: Papa From: Joe and Nick
7. Fish Christmas Tree Ornament- To: Court From: Mo
8. 4 wheeler- To: Tina and Robin From: Mom and Dad
9. Bulging Box of her own clothes- To: Mo From: Kieren
10. Games for a Wii, before the Wii was given- To: Nick From: Mimi and Papa
11. Special Delivery Christmas- To: Patrick; Hand Delivered to Cali By: Mimi and Papa
12. Chopped Veggie Containers- To: Jess From: Mom
13. Jase's 1st Gun- To: Jase From: Papa
14. Red Ryder BB Gun- To: Main From: Gerine and Ray
15. John Wayne Gun- To: ML From: M
16. Past, Present, Future Ring- To: Gerine From: Ray
17. Baby (horse)- To: Nick From: Mom and Dad
18. Nikon Camera- To: Mac From: Mimi, Papa, Mom and Dad
19. The year of the Christmas Puppies: To: Mo, Kieren, Joe, Nick, Patrick and Mac From: All the Parents
20. Grandpa Gall's quote on "Country" Magazine- To: Mimi From: Anonymous...

 I know that a lot of you who read this won't get the sentimental value behind the vague descriptions, but I hope you can walk away with a feeling of love and giving for this, the holiday season.

And to my Amazing Family; truth be told, the best Christmas gift I have ever received was the year I got to spend it with you, and not in some smelly hospital room. I will never forget the day the doctors said I could be home for Christmas. I love you all so much and I know that I don't tell you that often enough.

Love,
Mo