Its the most wonderful time of the year!!

If you've been my friend for any real length of time, then you'll know that Christmas just isn't my holiday. Maybe I had one too many tarnished Christmas' or maybe too many psycho Christians have put a damper on the day. I'm not sure what it is, but before Scott I could really care less about the holiday. All of that has changed now. Last year I got the best news of my life on Christmas day. Finding out Irelyn was on her way restored my the magic and wonder of the season for me.

This is Irelyn's first Christmas/Yule. Now I know she's not gonna know whats going on, but I do know she's gonna appreciate all the sparkly lights!!! For the last two weeks I've been thinking about getting a tree and making shopping plans. This morning after our Sunday breakfast date (Its a Scott/Wiski thing) we went to Micheals and the Dollar Tree. Instead of putting Irelyn in her stroller or keeping her in the carseat I decided to put her in the baby carrier and walk around Micheals like that. Oh, and I'm proud to report that Irelyn picked out the garland for the tree! My brother told me that there is nothing like seeing the world through your child's eyes. Call me a wuss, but there were a couple times when my eyes leaked a lil. I'm just soo damn giddy, I swear!

So Scott and I bought a tree and picked up a few random items. We came home cleaned up and then decorated! I can't believe it...but our cozy lil apartment is ready and everything just looks so darn cute! We even have a fireplace (nevermind the fact that to turn it "on" all you do is flip a switch..."

Its very important to me to raise Irelyn with an awareness what the holiday season really means. Its not all about Santa and shopping and I'll do my best to rear her in a manner where she respects the season and appreciates all of life's many blessings. I'll admit there was even a time when I contemplated not perpetuating the Santa myth....that was years ago. I remember telling my mom and grandma this and they looked at me like I should've been imprisoned or something. I'm older and a tad bit wiser now...and I've thought about it a lot. I've come to the conclusion that I want Irelyn to appreciate the meaning behind all the holidays and at the same time I want her to be mesmerized by the magic. There is nothing like being a child...nothing at all.

So..as I sit here and ramble I can't help but smile to myself. My house is clean (well for the most part), my holiday decorations are up, my baby LOVES the sparkly lights and the whole place just feels happy.