How Many More Days 'til Christmas, Mom?

Twelve months ago I was told that I had only 6-12 months to live. I was so sick. I was tired. My body was wracked with pain. I was preparing my mind and heart for the inevitable. I honestly felt that my body was dying and that my fight with cancer was just about over. Last year was a nice Christmas, but it took every bit of me not to cry as I watched my babies joyously opening their gifts. My heart was breaking, but in my mind I was saving this memory to take to heaven with me. I wanted to make sure to remember their laughter, the smell of the delicious Christmas dinner ... everything that reminded me of my childhood. It was going to be my last Christmas.

Silly me. God granted me yet another miracle ... He gave me more time to make more memories! He blessed me with an incredible medical team, that through His Glory, has been able to keep me here. This past year I've experienced many different medical procedures and health scares ... but I'm still here! I truly feel blessed ... I feel healthy ... I love this life God has given to me!

I also met another milestone in my life that I have to brag about ... I got to turn 40 last week! I made it "over the hill!" I never thought, in my wildest dreams, that I would make it to 40! It feels great! Now, I'm aiming for 50. By then I'll have 3 children who have graduated high school and hopefully moved on to college and 2 kiddos in high school. I may even be able to drive a little, but cute, compact car by then too! (This year we'll have to invest in a new full-sized 12 passenger van, just to fit all of us into a single vehicle!) I think I'll make my car a bright St. Louis Cardinals red. I'll be one hot bald momma driving down the highway in my little red convertible. How cool would that be?

As Christmas draws near in the Jones household, the kids are becoming more and more impatient with the waiting. They are constantly asking me "How many more days 'til Christmas, Mom?" We've got the countdown running on the computer so the big kids can check it out themselves, but Brandon and Allie need it spelled out. Brandon is more interested in Christmas Day (present opening time!) than he is Christmas Eve. So, he wants to know how many more "sleeps" he has before he can wake up and open presents. Allie simply sits in front of the tree and asks, "Now, Mom?" to which I reply, "Not yet!" This happens alllllll day long. Maybe this is why my mom waited until Christmas Eve to put the presents under the tree!

This morning, three of my boys walked out of their bedroom wearing dress pants and shirts with their favorite ties on. They were definitely quite proud of themselves! I asked them why they were dressed up. Their answer? We're dressing up to celebrate Baby Jesus! We're going to wear our dress up clothes all week long so everybody knows that Christmas doesn't happen because Santa is coming, but it's a reminder that Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem to save us, just like the Bible says! If he was born in St. Louis we'd all dress up to go see Him just like the Three Wise Men did. So what if we don't live in Bethlehem? We can still celebrate, and we think that we're pretty wise and smart too!"

So, Santa may be a myth to them, and I'm OK with that. They've always known that "Santa" was a tradition, but not the reason. It's still fun to pretend he comes down the chimney to bring gifts ... but even better is knowing that my Three Wise Men know what the real and true gift is ... their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so proud of them!

May your Christmas be filled with the love and joy of our Lord and Savior. May your home be filled with laughter and singing. And may you find a moment to remember the reason for the celebration ... the birth of Baby Jesus!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR BLOG FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

LOVE, THE BACKYARD GANG