Christmas is Coming

Today I got lucky and my stepdad agreed to watch Liliana for me for a few hours while I did some Christmas shopping.  I don't have a lot of money this year by any means, but I wanted to pick up a few more little things for Liliana and a couple other family members.  

I started out a little stressed because I hadn't devised my shopping plan, but once I did I got right into the groove of things.  Shopping is an extreme pleasure for me, not stressful (unless I have the child and I usually do).  I went around from store to store and watched other shoppers talk about what to buy and there Christmas plans.  It was exhausting in the end, but fun.

Earlier in the day we have gone over to a friend's house to exchange gifts.  I just LOVE giving presents.  It's hard when I don't have the money to buy more, but I've given what I can so far and it's been a success!  While we were at our friend's house I noticed all the cute Christmas decorations and homemade ornaments and all kinds of cute stuff.  I had one of those moments where I wished I was a more creative mother to think of doing more holiday related crafts.

So I got inspired and stopped at the Dollar Store when I was on my shopping expedition.  They are not handmade, but I got some cute Christmas clingy window decals that were a huge hit with Liliana when I got home.  We stuck them all over the glass sliding door in the kitchen.  I also got some Christmas stencils and "snow" spray that we are going to do tomorrow on the windows in the dining room.  I don't know about Liliana, but I'm pretty excited :)  And I'm hoping to have time tomorrow to help Liliana make some kind of homemade present for my mom.  I think that would be precious.  

I'm still in shock that it's almost Christmas Eve.  Liliana kept going around the house tonight saying "it's Christmas Eve Eve."  LOL.  It was really cute.  Interestingly I have not really talked about Santa hardly at all or about what is really gonna go down on Christmas Day, but apparently she already knows and was telling me all about it!  

Tomorrow we are going to go over to my brother-in-laws for a quick visit and then I have a tiny bit of shopping again.  (Why is always so clear what I should buy once I get home??).  In the evening I have decided to go to a Christmas Eve church service, which is something I haven't done for years, except for maybe in El Salvador last year.  Hmm.  Well here in the States it's been a while so I'm looking forward to it.  Liliana LOVES to go to church (her love formed during her ES days with her abuela) so of course she is thrilled.  Somewhere in there I also have to wrap more presents.  And then to top it all off, my sister is moving back from Ecuador and is flying in at 9:30 Christmas Eve.  Wow, what a day!  I'm tired just writing about it :) I better go to bed!  

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday time wherever you are :)  I know for a lot of us, it's also a hard time of year because we are separated from our loved ones and/or families.  It's definitely hard for us here.  (I forgot to mention I cried on the way home from shopping).  But I'm also feeling grateful for what I have and for my beautiful baby girl.  Hopefully I can hang on to these good feelings during all the family get-togethers over the next few days!!  LOL.