It's Christmas Eve!!!

Not only have I threatened to take all the presents back to the stores from whence they came, but I've had to tell the kids to stop asking to open presents early or else they'll have to wait until tomorrow to open all of them.  I know, I'm such a Scrooge.

Ever since making that last threat, I haven't heard anyone ask me if they can open presents.  I must admit, I'm pretty dang excited for tomorrow!  Through the generosity of others, the kids will have a better-than-ever Christmas!  I'm just so excited!!!

Tomorrow morning my parents, Popeye's parents & his step-sister will be joining us for the day.  So today I'm baking and cooking and cleaning.  I'm waiting for the first pie to exit the oven so I can get the next tart into it.  Grand Duchess needs to take another nap so that I can get busy in the kitchen again.  She isn't that great of a helper yet so I'm taking a break until she goes to lay down.

Last night I wrapped half of the presents and ran out of wrapping paper and tape.  So this morning led me to VoldeMart to get some more (along with the rest of the fixin's for dinner).  Santa also asked me to pick up some candy for the stockings, so I did.  I just can't wait!!!

Alright.  I'm a kid at heart.  I still love presents.  No matter how much I say I'm not going to go overboard at Christmas time, I still do it.  I'm a product of my mother, really.  Her mother did it.  My mother did it.  I'm doing it.  I'm sure my kids will do it.  There's just something about going for 3 weeks with hardly anything under the tree and then waking up Christmas morning to a plethora of presents!  I don't know how my mom & dad did it each year.  We have 7 kids in our family and each year was always a glorious "orgy of greed" (name the flick).  I have followed tradition.  I asked Popeye if we should tone it down and really just give everyone a few presents.  He was opposed to that suggestion and looked at me as if I had spewed a fountain of filth from my mouth.  I repent.  :D

Next year I have a plan in place.  It goes along with my mantra of "today I decide to be wealthy".  Each weekly paycheck will find a portion of it going straight to the holiday piggy bank and at the end of the year we will give half of it to the ward to help another family in need.  As much as I want to have a wonderfully glorious morning of opening gifts, I want to feel the Savior's love by giving to others.  After all, He IS the reason why we even celebrate Christmas.

Tonight I'll watch "The Nativity Story" (again) while wrapping presents and then go to bed and hope to get a little bit of sleep before the kids burst in at 4 am.
Do you remember that, sisters?  Do you remember staying up all night hunkered down on the bed?  And we'd get Mom and Dad up at 4 am?  Good times.  4 am wasn't early then.  But it is now.  Whooo Boy!  I hope these kids don't get up that early.  Leave it to Mr. Fantastic to do that, though.  He's at that age.  (He still believes in Santa, too!)

Anyway.  My Christmas cards are on my counter waiting to be addressed and stamped.  I don't know if it will happen this year or not.  Sorry everyone.  My intentions were good ones.  Life is so busy and it's times like this that I wish I didn't have to work so that I could stay on top of things.

But Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope 2010 brings you some great memories and you are blessed beyond measure!!!

Love you all!!!