Christmas

I can hardly believe that Christmas is next week!  I don't feel ready at all.  Between the ice storm and a late Thanksgiving, I haven't had much time to do any preparations.  Sadly, it looks like I will be out with the masses on Saturday finishing up some last minute things.  The last month has been tough financially.  Those that say they do foster care for the money, well, I don't get it.  It takes sooo long to get reimbursed for anything.  Not going to lie.  It has stressed me out.  However, I know I don't need to worry. God always provides.  Bills get paid.  My girls always have what they need.  I'm blessed with an agency, CASA volunteers, and family who will all make sure my girls have a crazy big Christmas.  Add the things I've purchased for them and my girls will think excess is normal.  :)  Which I totally don't mind.

This year my girls are understanding a little bit more about Jesus and the importance of this holiday.  I love hearing them talk about baby Jesus.  I love how my 3 year old has put together the fact that baby Jesus grew up to die on the cross for the bad things we have all done.  It has been a wonderful journey to share with both of them the joy of Jesus and all He has done for us.

I'm not doing Santa Claus with my girls.  I know that may sound crazy to some.  However, I have spent the last year building trust with my girls.  I have promised my oldest many times that I would never lie to her.  I don't feel like I can tell her that Santa is real.  I don't want to tell her a lie.  She believes everything I say.  Everything.  I can't destroy such a beautiful trust by telling her that Santa is real, and then in a few years having to let her know that he isn't.  I want her to believe in the unseen.  I want her to believe in Someone bigger than herself.  I want her to believe that there are great mysterious happenings called miracles.  But I want her to believe those things about Jesus.  A real Person.  A real God.  A real Savior.  He is the one who provides for us.  He is the one who is watching our every move to see if we are "naughty or nice".  I don't want her to think that Christmas is about being good to get presents.  I want her to know the true beauty of Christmas is about a baby King who came to save us.  

Ok, ok.  I will get off my soap box.  :)

I never would have thought that I would be privileged to get to have these girls for another Christmas.  We still don't know for sure what the future holds for them or me.  But I have peace about the decisions I've been asked to make regarding their long term care.  Hopefully, in the months to come, I will be able to share more about that with you.