THANKS. GIVING.

Our kids are so excited that Thanksgiving is here! They have been up bright and early all week - running around and singing with great anticipation of the pow-wows and parties at school, the feasts that abound with family & friends and time off school to spend together.

It is very refreshing to see children take the holiday for what it is worth- not wanting to miss a moment, enjoying time of family and traditions, pure anticipation and celebration. They get it. They really get it deep down, don't you think? This got me thinking about my own actions, reactions and emotions during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I wish my excitement for the holidays was just as passionate and pure as the children. Don't get me wrong, I am quite excited to spend special time with family and friends, to decorate for the season, carry on traditions that the kids will cherish, and celebrate the real meaning of the holidays.

But it is so easy to become stressed over the little things and "busyness" of the season. We tend to let our minds take over and worry about the things that don't really matter: gift giving, food, what we will wear, the list goes on and on. It is like a snowball that starts growing mid November and is ready to explode by New Years.

Why do we do this? What if we could be more like the little children who just soak it all in. Who cares if the food is overdone or we stain our new holiday attire? Does it really matter if we don't give our neighbor an "equal" gift or the children don't get all they want from Santa?

Make today different! Focus on the matters that really matter. Enjoy the holiday this year- live it, laugh, make memories, celebrate. Take today to truly demonstrate THANKS and GIVING. Thanks - to the Lord for all we have, for our lives and loved ones. Giving - unselfishly, continuously, happily and thankfully.

Happy Thanksgiving!!