We have to go buy the gifts and wrap them. We have to do the baking and cleaning. We have to . . . we have to. Have you ever felt like that? All the running, spending, and busyness . . . it seems overwhelming.

This year, after losing a week to family sickess, I was trying my hardest not to be stressed. Nothing was finished because nothing was even started. No one can afford to get sick between Thanksgiving and Christmas! There's no time!! The more I tried not to be stressed, the worse it got.

Then, on Christmas break, I slowed down. My daughter, Jennifer, and I decorated the house. Yes, we waited until almost Christmas! We took our time and had a blast putting things where we enjoyed them. I took the time to decorate the huge 12 foot tree in our foyer. Day by day, I put on a garland and just a few ornaments at a time. It took several days, but it's finished and beautiful!

We also FINALLY prepared hard tack candy. Every year, I get the supplies to do this like I did as a child. But, I never take the time to do it. Jennifer and I loved it, and since it is already gone, I'm convinced the rest of the family did too!

My son, whose name will be left out so as not to embarass him, helped cook and bake. He did a little here and a little there. What an awesome help! The same thing happened with gift buying, wrapping, and fudge making and many other things.

Things happened, as they always do, to sneak more of our "have to" time. Problems - sickness, bad weather, and other issues affecting church, family, and friends, seemed to pile on at the worst time. Book and Mary Kay orders came in faster than I could imagine with all of the deliveries that entails - yay, God! The baby pygmy goats were born this morning, December 24 - cutest things ever! But, I've determined that all of these extras are really blessings. All of my "Have tos" have turned into "Get tos".

I'm enjoying this Christmas time with my family even more than ever. It won't be long until they are grown and have their own families. I don't want to waste this blessed time of year on "Have tos". I GET TO have another Christmas with them. I GET TO celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior.

So, my blessing for you, my friend, this Christmas is to change all of your "Have tos" into "Get tos".

Merry Christmas!

Paula F. Blevins
www.paulafblevins.com
paulab07@paulafblevins.com
www.marykay.com/pfblevins