I have something to admit. I had never before watched the musical Meet Me in St. Louis until this past week! I don’t know how I have gone my whole life without watching this movie! In an attempt to watch something Christmas related I picked this movie, and I was not disappointed! I love Judy Garland for one. Her voice is magnificent, and her singing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was perfect. In the context of the movie, however, everything was anything but perfect. Things were not going their way, and they were not looking forward to moving from St. Louis to New York. It reminded me, that for so many people this is not the best time of year. Whether you are grieving the loss of loved ones, struggling to get by much less afford the frivolities of a very commercialized Christmas, dealing with illness, or whatever the cause, this can often be a sad and stressful time. However, I currently have come to the conclusion that it’s doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. The phrase “Let Your Heart Be Light” Or from the Grinch, “Perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas means a little bit more!” gives hint to the fact that Christmas comes from within ourselves. We are in control of the peace, love, and joy in our hearts. My Christmas wish is that everyone can find a little Christmas within themselves this year!

So far the best part of this year’s season of advent has been watching the kids perform in all their Christmas programs. Emma had her first gymnastics recital, David had his piano recital, and both sang in the live nativity at church. It has been so cute and fun watching them perform. I am so glad that they are able to take part in these activities again! They are learning so much. David played an arrangement of Jingle Bells and a piece from one of his method books for recital and did really good. Emma had fun tumbling at her gymnastics recital. They were both so cute at the church cantata, and Emma keeps singing one of the songs they learned. She knows every word! I love that they are memorizing songs and learning what Christmas is about.

Love,

PK