Humpday Dump

So it is my first time participating in the Humpday Dump with Fresh Mommy.  I love her blog and if you go over and visit her, I am sure you will too. She takes amazing photos and her kids are so cute!

Anyway, this is my contribution this week, and I have a few words to say about each photo below. 

1.  Tropical trees. I so wish I lived in the tropics. Although I live in the south, when it gets cold, I hate it. Absolutely do not like it at all. Maybe if I lived in a newer more insulated home, my opinion would change. However, for now..not so much!

2.  My baby girl modeling her new hat she received as a Christmas gift. It's cute, that smirk on her face? Priceless. She is such a ham!

3.  Our 2011 Christmas card photo! One morning before school I slapped a hat on their heads and said let's take a few photos...this was the result!

4.  My new aloe infused Christmas socks that I bought on clearance the day after the fact! They are oh so warm and I wish I had bought more. These will get lots of use, that's for sure!

5.  The mileage on my van...and my empty gas tank, to boot! Seems these days with all of the running around we do I can not seem to keep a full tank.

6.  After a wild night of bowling and slumber partying with her basketball teammates, this little one was too pooped to pop...or enjoy her Christmas gifts. She opened them up and next thing I knew, she was curled up on the couch ready for some more zzz's.

7.  Our little town has had a Taco Bell for years, but recently, due to constuction issues, had to be rebuilt, causing it to shut down for several months. Everyone town has been obviously craving tacos because of the two times I have gone since it re-opened, my wait time was at least 20 minutes long!

8.  My BFF and I. This photo was one of the first I took with my new phone over a year ago and I just decided to edit and share. We were waiting for an outdoor concert to start (Stevie B, remember him?) and we stopped to pose for a photo. She is getting re-married in a few months and I am really happy for her.

9.  Alyssa's Webkinz pet. I swear that thing is possessed. Every time I turn around 'he' is looking at me so when she placed him on my knee, I took the opportunity to snap a photo. He hasn't looked at me since!

Bah Humbug!

What are you lookin at?

Basically, I am a scrooge. I am not a fun person at this time of year. I once was, but not anymore. For a few reasons, I just do not get into it anymore and for two reasons I make myself smile through it. Those two reasons would be my daughters. Other than that, I would love to sleep straight through to the new year!

The commercialism and all of the thoughtless reasons everyone runs out to buy gifts and make this holiday in to something it should not be, really turns me off. Just the other day I told my youngest to keep in mind what this holiday is all about and not forget it. Hopefully she will always remember the true meaning as she grows up.

Now, most people would say I am a terrible person for thinking this way or that I feel sorry for myself. That, in fact, is not the case. I love my life, I love my girls and I love our time together and sharing the blessings we have been given on every holiday. There is nothing I love more than seeing them smile and giggle and for us to share memories with one another.

My one wish for the holiday would be that everyone would remember the true meaning of this holiday and cherish it and make it an important part of their lives other than worrying about what to buy Cousin Sue or Aunt Bess.  Christmas should be about families sharing the holiday together and remembering that it was the day Jesus was born.