Merry Christmas to all!!!

Merriest of Christmases lovies!! I am blessed that the sweet Jenn has volunteered to bring such joy to you all this Christmas morning!! She is such a loyal lovie and her comments always make my heart so warm, so thank you Jenn!!

Enjoy! There will be just a separate small post for later today because in the spirit of Christmas, Mrs. Claus (aka yours truly) has A CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY TO ENTER!!!!!!!

I'm Jenn (who calls herself Cajun Cowgirl) riding the trails between TX and LA with my Cowboy (the husband), The Sheriff (the toddler), and a Cajun Shrimp (the nugget in my belly). I've been blogging my way through babyhood turned toddlerhood, hot summers, Pinterest pin attempts, and a love/hate relationship with March Madness brackets. That's me, up there, conquering the world. Or just the local playground. Same difference. 

When Lindsay told me that my post would publish Christmas Day I became all sorts of nervous. After all, a Christmas post comes with lots of pressure.  I guess it depends how you look at it. Truthfully, not many people will be reading as many spend the day with family and friends. In fact, this post might find itself lumped into the "mark all as read" clan that was left unattended while drinking hot chocolate, singing Christmas carols, exchanging gifts and cookies, and spreading good cheer took place.

On the other hand, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY! I better have something amazing to share!

That's just the thing. Today, of all days, reminds us that we don't have to be amazing.
For me:

Today is not the time to look ahead to the new year and its call for planning how to be more, do more, live more. Rather, it's a time to just be ourselves as God created us to be, flawed yet saved. Because of the gift of a tiny baby, we are encouraged in love. We are able to lift each other up in a world of tragedy and evil and remind each other of the powerful simplicity of a smile and a hug.

For me:

Today is for joys and surprises with a toddler who most likely does not understand what it's all about but sees something special about a nativity and knows that the celebrations are for Jesus's birthday.

Today is a day to know that we didn't get to every tradition and some that we tried were hit or miss, but  it's a day I'd challenge anyone to keep a straight face and perhaps even a tear from his eye when hearing a certain toddler's version of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."

For me:

Today is a celebration with friends and family that has been ongoing all week. It's a time to remember to look around at the faces of love surrounding me and thank God for the blessings of each one. They are all gifts and signs, and this day, I pray each member of our society be given a single person that can show him love, grace, forgiveness, and the warmth of which the human heart is capable, the warmth shown to us in the face of a baby in a manger years ago.

Merry Christmas!