Lightening Online

There are 3 days left until Christmas.  How many of you are still smiling?  How many have succumbed to the blind panic that can often occur in those last few days as you realise you have more to do than you have days to do it in?

Take a moment to make yourself a cup of tea or a cool drink and sit down and make a list of the things that have made you smile this festive season.  Amongst all the busy-ness have there been wonderful moments that you’ve almost missed amongst the rush?

Here is my list:

* On Tuesday my brother and his family came to visit.  We live less than 2 hours apart and yet don’t see one another very often.  I’m thinking that we just need to MAKE more of effort than we have been.  It’s always enjoyable when we get together.  But life gets in the way all too often.

* We went for a drive with my brother and his family to look at some nearby wind towers.  We took the youngest 2 in our car (my youngest and my nephew) and along the way my nephew fell asleep and was having trouble falling over in the backseat.  I climbed into the back so that he could lean against me.  It was very special having his tiny body sleeping against mine.  He’s very shy but this particular time I noticed that he was a lot more comfortable around us.

*  I have had so much fun with my Christmas presents this year.  Partly because I have taken the time to make a number of them.  Also because we have a number of gifts this year that are more about having fun than finding the perfect gift.  Not a lot of $$ spent but hopefully a great return on the $$ spent in terms of smiles.

* Every year our town holds it’s own Christmas Pageant and this year it seems like many have gotten into the Christmas Spirit even more so than usual with a few extra little freebies and fun happening around the place.  The town hall for the past few years has put on a free movie after the pageant.  You don’t get much for free these days.  It’s really nice and something the kids look forward to.  I think my DS enjoys the movie even more knowing that it is free.

* My kids LOVE shopping for one another for Christmas.  We give them $10 each (which we’re slowly transitioning to earnt money as they get older) and they go to the local discount store and find something for each other.  I’m amazed at what they can find for one another for just a few dollars and they make some excellent choices.  Often it’s the cheaper little gifts that our kids get the most enjoyment out of come Christmas time.  They really do teach me over and over again that “simplest” can be best.

* Speaking of simple gifts.  One of the things that I put in my nephews presents this year was a large blow up beach ball.  I picked them up for $1 from Identity Direct’s clearance page.  They were a real hit!

Remember to keep your Christmas preparations simple and SMILE.    This is supposed to be the most wonderful and happy time of the year.  Don’t let your ideals of a “perfect” Christmas take away from the joy of the season.  Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger.  The ultimate in Christmas simplicity.

It is completely up to you whether you’d like to post about things that have made you smile in the lead up to Christmas or if you’d like to post something else related to smiling.  If you’re not sure what Smiley Saturday is all about, please read this explanation first.

Only place your link in the Mr Linky below AFTER you have posted a Smiley Saturday post.  Then link DIRECTLY to your Smiley Saturday post.  This isn’t something you HAVE to participate in every week.  Every now and then as it appeals or you have something you’d like to contribute is also quite acceptable.  Of course, every week is certainly great too!