this is what christmas means to me, my love.

i just woke up from the best Christmas afternoon nap, lounging around in my Hello Kitty pj's (present from my sister, Ashley) with a mug of hot chocolate and A Christmas Story playing in the background. mom and dad are drinking their cup of afternoon coffee and Ashley is relaxing on the mattress residing in the middle of our living room floor. comforters and pillows are scattered about the room from last night's Christmas eve family camp-out (a yearly tradition).  and tomorrow Christmas continues with our family as my other sister and her family travel from Iowa - and we'll exchange presents, indulge in other huge family meal, and laugh more than usual.

for those of you that have read my blog for awhile now or know me in person, know that family plays a huge role in my life. i have been blessed with a tight-knit family and holidays, especially Christmas, are even more special because of these crazy awesome people in my life.

however, Christmas means even more to me and my family than the presents and the good eating and the loving family time - though those are all good things (and you know that i love all things!) - what Christmas means to me is that God sent His Son, Jesus, from heaven to be born on this earth so that He could die on a cross and then rise from the dead. he was born to die so that we could truly live. because of this, we are given the opportunity to believe in the Lord Jesus and what he did for us, so that we can have a relationship with Him - and because of this reminder during this holiday, it really does make Christmastime the most wonderful time of the year! 

"...for today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11

wishing you the very merriest of Christmas, dear friend.

you are so loved. 

much love.

[merry christmas, friend.]