'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring. What clutter, I won't utter. What wonderful smells wafted through the air mixed with eager anticipation that St. Nick might soon stop by there. And scattered across the living room floor were gifts dressed in wrappings, some pre-wrapped before.

December or February, it doesn't matter, Christmas is a state of mind. This is going to be fun! The grandbabies are excited, their parents shake their heads in disbelief. Are we really going to do this. Yep! You can bet your boots, Christmas is going down today! Meme and Dandy have been shopping, they have been wrapping, they have been planning and it should be a fun day. We are doing part of the day as birthday/Christmas for the February birthdays. The soon to be six year old granddaughters thought it would be neat to have a bowling party, since Dandy's birthday is first that's what he ordered. Bowling at nine! Youth league basketball at eleven-thirty, finger food and gifts at one-thirty, carols and games until four, five-thirty reservations at Abuello's. Then it is in the books.

As regular readers know, due to Krl and I being gone from October until February we made a logistical maneuver and moved Christmas to February twelfth. Some love the idea, some wish it had happened as scheduled and was already behind us. Regardless, you had better be nice because I have my list and I am checking it twice.

FATHER, I ask YOUR blessings on this day. I pray that hearts will be light and full of love. I pray for fun and fellowship. I pray for safe travel for those on the road. FATHER I lift up Hag, B., Lillie, Rene', Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Rusty and Kim's baby, and for those injured in the accident. I ask YOUR gift of healing for them all. I pray for those heavy hearted from loss. I ask for their comfort. I pray for those of us in spiritual need. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. Bless-ed assurance.