Merry Christmas

Christmas with the Loftis'

I'm sure lots of authors get asked by their readers how they spend Christmas or what special traditions do they have. I thought for my post today, since tomorrow is Christmas Eve I would just share somethings that we do in my family that are special to us.

My son and I make sugar cookies for Santa, and as romantic and cozy as this sounds, it usually entails me cussing at the dough because it sticks to rolling pin. Then I growl at Travis because he won't stop eating the dough, then I tell him for the hundredth time that we won't be able to put the icing on them until they cool after they get out of the oven. I usually burn myself at least once, and drop one cookie face down while icing it. And as crazy as that all sounds, I wouldn't have it any other way.

We have hot chocolate and go drive through the neighborhoods looking at lights and listen to Christmas music. This is one of my favorite things to do. I love Christmas lights. I love how majestic they look and how for some reason they seem to replace the light that the Northern star shown on the very first Christmas. They are a reminder to me that no matter how dark life gets Jesus is my light and he is always there ready to light my path. Travis asks a million questions as we're driving and about midway through the drive Bo will start making him spell words for every ridiculous question he asks (this only makes Travis laugh and ask more ridiculous questions). 

Before we go to bed we each get to open one present. This is a tradition that my family did and so I've carried on to my child. We sit around the tree and Travis pokes the presents like if he some how pokes them just right they will suddenly jump up and scream "I'M AN ANGRY BIRD GAME".  Then we read the Christmas story to remind us what this season is really about and to give thanks to God for giving the greatest gift, his Son. 

This year we will add a new tradition, the Pickle ornament tradition. I will hide the pickle ornament in the Tree and Travis and Bo will have to race to find it, whoever gets it first gets to open the very first Christmas present. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. My prayer is that God's peace and love will be in your homes and that Christs birth and sacrifice will be what we ultimately celebrate. God be with you all and Merry Christmas from the Loftis Family!