I LOVE Christmas!

With Christmas being just around the corner, I am just about as excited as my children!  I LOVE this holiday.  I love the lights, the trees, the red shirts, the gift wrap, even the shopping.  Most of all, I love the time I get to spend with my family.  When I think of Christmas, I always think of two things that are my fondest memories:  my grandmother (who does Christmas BIG) and my family tradition of sharing one room with my siblings on Christmas Eve.  Let me explain...My grandmother probably loves Christmas more than anyone.  She decorates everything--seriously!  It's like walking into a little winter wonderland of Santas and nutcrackers.  As a child, we knew Santa came to her house, too, and we could hardly wait to get to her house to see the tons of presents she had stacked around her tree.  To this day, my sister, cousins, and I fight to see who gets the spot on the couch in the Christmas tree room (years ago, we all fit--but we're a bit bigger now).  Being at Grandmother's for breakfast will always be one of my favorite memories.  I also will never forget a tradition (one I hope my kids will eventually grow into).  On Christmas Eve, my siblings and I would put on our matching Christmas pj's--that my wonderful grandmother had given us--and would all 4 pile into one room to sleep.  My poor brother always had to sleep in the floor!  But we would laugh and giggle half the night--till Mom or Daddy came in for about the 100th time reminding us Santa would not visit if we were awake.  Then, we'd all wake up around 5:00 (if we even slept that late), send my brother to see if there was any loot under the tree, then run wake up Mom and Daddy.  However, we'd always have to wait to open presents:  my parents' rule was they got coffee first--the perfect example of parental torture!  It was always the greatest morning!  I know God has blessed us all with wonderful Christmas memories and will continue to do so--even when our families drive us nuts!

Now, post your own favorite Christmas memory for a wee bit of extra credit.  The deadline for posting is Friday, Dec. 10.  You must write in complete sentences with adherence to proper English grammar.  I look forward to reading your fantastic stories!

What a Week!

It's food drive week, AND the cougars are playing for the 3A state championship--it doesn't get much better than this!  I encourage all of you to help the less fortunate by getting cans.  Also, join us at Tennessee Tech to watch the cougars pull off the upset of the decade when they beat Alcoa!