The holidays are stressful.  On top of what we normally have day in and day out there is the hustle and bustle of everything that goes into the holidays.  I am particularly thankful for my family being together and my parents being here.  I have an amazing family and today as I go out shopping to finish all those last minute things, make Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses with the kids I just want to tell my family how thankful I am each and every day to have those deeply planted roots. 

My cousin and I and a very jolly Santa……(we just may have made his year)

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I truly are blessed from all the things I get from each side of my family!  I am proud of who and what I am because of where I came from.  I still have my Midwest accent, my deep morals and values and I am proud of that. 

Today more than ever I am thankful to be armed with my Mother who will tear through those stores with experience and vengence.  I am thankful for my dad who is taking care of those much needed odds & ends around the house and my kids who will continue to beg me to make those cookies and build those gingerbread houses until I want to strangle myself.  Yep, that is what I have and I would not change it if you paid me! 

Merry Christmas……..may you take time to value everything you have and where you came from.

Tracy

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, The gladness of Christmas give you hope, The warmth of Christmas grant you love." ~Author Unknown