This has been a really weird Christmas season.  It's my favorite time of the year but I was so distracted by so many things, that I've been caught off guard and am not prepared nor really enjoying it.  I usually buy quite a few Christmas gifts during the year and/or know what I want to buy for particular people.  Yesterday, Stephen and I were panic shopping at Wal-Mart for our son.  He's a great kid, fascinating and fun, and yet we just didn't know what to buy for him.  Today I'm staring Christmas Day right in the face and I have one little tiny gift for Stephen.  This roller ball massage thing that I got at Bath & Body Works.  He's off somewhere today and I have a feeling he's going to get a new stainless microwave for me.  If I could go out right now, without the kids, and money were  no object, I STILL don't know what I'd get for him!  It's a mental block, maybe.  I have to run to Ross in a little while and finish up a gift basket for my SIL.

Worst of all, I don't think we're going to make it to the Candlelight Service tonight.  The first time we've EVER missed.  IF I can get the house all ready and the food ready for the Christmas Eve party tonight, and IF I can finish my SIL's gift and hopefully get something for Stephen, then there's a chance we could go to the 4 p.m. service. 

In spite of my unpreparedness, I've been trying to emphasize the wonder of Christmas to the kids.  Also, to cover for my lack of organization, I informed them last night of "Christmas WEEK!"  All the things we didn't do before Christmas, we will do this coming week.  (None of us had ever heard of Christmas WEEK before!)    Last night, to make up for not doing ANY Christmas reading at all, I made them both sit down and listen to six different Christmas story books!  LOL   I have about eight more to go, so maybe after lunch I'll make them listen to those.  See what I mean??  I'm unprepared and am trying to cram everything in at the last minute. 

We're also in the process of buying a new truck.  This morning at 8:30, the salesman from the dealership called us.  "Why don't you guys give me a call later today?"  Yeah, right. 

I did have an inspiration for a fun gift for my brother.  They're leaving for Hawaii tomorrow with my parents, and we're sending some small gifts with Mom and Dad.  I think I'm frustrated that the creative side of me hasn't been able to kick in due to the mental fog I've been in.  I don't know how else to explain it. 

I think it looks like we're ready for Christmas because the trees are gorgeous and there are loads of presents under them.  You know what saved my neck?  Kidstop Toy Store.  They wrap all your gifts for free!  That's where we bought most of the kid gifts and that's why I had very little wrapping to do on my own.  I just remembered three more gifts I need to wrap for Grammy and aunties, but at least this year we won't be scrambling at 1 a.m. wrapping gift after gift.  Whew!

Also, we're going to become Secret Santas to a needy family.  The kids don't know it, but the family of their friends Michael and Katie have been struggling.  Their mom asked me for some winter hand-me-downs for Michael since she couldn't afford any new clothes.  We ended up with a few extra kid gifts, and we'll drop those off at their house late tonight.  I think that will be something our kids will always remember.  I just hope they keep their mouths shut because I don't want KL (the mom) knowing it was us.

Gotta run.  I need to make up menus for what I'm serving tonight and tomorrow morning.  I'm pretty sure I have all the ingredients but want my menu in writing so I don't forget to prepare or serve something!!