Smiles of the Season and a song for you

Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me to keep blogging.
I think that you are right and I will take your advice.
Hopefully this journaling will be a source of joy for my family one day
even if it isn't now.
...
How I love this season of the year.
To me the time between Thanksgiving and New years is magical.
Thanksgiving always finds our home full of family
and good food which I love.
Our dears ones go home after Thanksgiving but the weeks
that follow are so busy that I don't have time to be lonely.
Some people complain about the rush and fuss of
Christmas, but I don't.
I shop for gifts all through the year so Christmas
is not a financial burden on us.
It can still be tiring getting everything done
but I enjoy all of it....
...finishing shopping...wrapping....decorating....baking...cooking....
...parties....visiting....getting and sending cards....family.... friends....
...hearing carols in the stores....reading the Christmas story in Luke...
...thinking of Christ's birth and His Life....
...
Yep.... I love everything about Christmas.
...
Here are some of the things that
have made me smile this past week

Visiting with dear friends makes me smile.
I got to visit with both Sil and Treva this past week.
They each only live an hour or so away but we don't get together
as often as we would like.
How I love spending time with sweet friends from many years past.

These sweet girls from church make me smile
Stacy, Sarah and Alicia(not pictured) came over to help me decorate.
We got the house and tree all decked out
and then we enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies.
I was so happy that they came.
I was grinning from ear to ear.

Church Christmas programs make me smile.
I love hearing the little angels sing....

...and the shepherds singing too as they come to worship
the wee baby Jesus.

Of course there is never a shortage of...

Christmas parties and good food....

...and Grampy makes me smile with his cute hat with a bow on it.

I love hearing beautiful Christmas music from choirs...

...and at recitals.

We love hearing Claire sing....

She always makes us smile. ☻♥♥
I could not get a good recording but I will upload some of her solo below.
I think it will make you smile too.

Our Young Women and their leaders at church make me smile.
I just love working with these sweet people.
Our clever President had a great idea for our Christmas lesson today.
We covered the windows to darken the room and
hung twinkle lights and stars all over the ceiling.
We had the girls sit on blankets on the floor
while each of us leaders told Christmas stories.
The spirit was strong and touching.
It was really special. It made all of us smile.

My little 5 year old grandsons make me smile.
They have been ready for Christmas since they
found my stash of presents while they were here for Thanksgiving.
I am as anxious for them to open them as they are.

Yes, I am ready for Santa but I don't want this next week to pass too quickly.
I want to enjoy each moment and soak up the blessing of this season.
I will post my annual Christmas card to you next time.
Until then have a wonderful week....filled with smiles...not stress.
...
I had to post Claire's song in two parts to upload it.
It is not well recorded and I cut it off too soon.
I'm sorry about that but I think you will enjoy it anyway.
Turn off my music on my sidebar .... and enjoy her sweet voice.
...
I know that Christmas can be a hard time or even a sad time for some of you.
However I am wishing for you a Christmas this year...
..that really is...
...as Claire sings...
."The Most wonderful time of the Year."

Merry Christmas