Merry Christmas Eve

Hello cats and dogs out there in the real world. I hope you all are enjoying a peaceful night as we are. Since having children, we have made a true effort to not do the whole "race to the mall for last minute stuff" but rather take time over the course of the month, to do holiday "events" (parades, looking at lights, volunteering, charity and baking goodies for the grandparents and friends.). I can say yes, we did all that. our children will wake up and have some neat-o cool things to open and play with, but we don't waste money on tons of plastic junk that we know they will get bored with in one week. It's a choice and how we choose to raise our children.

Every family has its own needs, and we have figured out at least some of our own the past three years. This is a relief, and a real gift- finding out what works for your own family unit, whether it be for a tight circle of friends, a couple or a single gal with her best dog- not worrying about how the Joneses next door are doing, and what they have, but rather finding your own true authentic path for your family. That is peace.

Personally, our family has  figured out what we need to do to keep "the peace", and it does come and go, giving us big windows of opportunity to move as a functional happy family unit.  I hope that we all find some peace this week and this night. I type this as my husband reads to our children as we move them into "quiet time". This time is when we give them about 30  minutes or so to play separately, in the quiet of their own rooms, away from tv.s, and noise makers. It doesn't always work out, as one will creep out of their space to bug the other in the evolutionary dance of "who is going to get in trouble first", but most nights it works. we turn the lights down, we step away from them and let their imaginations work as they play on the floor with their cars, quiet games or books. This is their peace. And it is ours.

Merry Christmas to you all dear friends. I can only hope that we all remain the lucky ones who can wake up and enjoy each blue dappled sunrise and each golden rose sunset, unscathed by violence or hate.

Peace on Earth, Kumbaya, and all that stuff to you :)