The 2nd Day of Christmas with Summer Saldana–Le Musings of Moi

Welcome to the 7th annual 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!!!

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12 Days.

12 friends guest posting sharing a Christmas idea, recipe or favorite with you.

12 great giveaways for you to enter along with one GRAND PRIZE for someone who comments to enter all 12 days!!

And on this Day 2 of Christmas, please help me welcome the Sensational Summer Saldana of Le Musings of Moi.

6710696437_3575fa438e-2Summer is one of those women who certainly isn’t trying to hide anything — except maybe what is behind her beloved bangs. She is refreshingly open about her mommy meltdowns (she has 2 children, but one is strong willed, so it’s more like 4), her faith, and her obsession with thrift store shopping and makeup/skincare hauls.

But, whether it’s through writing, speaking, or leading her youth group girls, Summer’s greatest passion is connecting with others. And she does this by being open and honest, all while trying to find the humor and lesson in it all. Connect with Summer Saldana on her Blog or on You Tube.

Gratitude

It was a few years ago in Christmas Past that my husband and I excitedly put together one of the grandest Christmas’ our kids had ever seen. We thought a lot, spent a lot, got a lot, and felt blessed that we were actually able to do so much for them. And as we wrapped each of the gifts, we could barely stand the anticipation of seeing our children’s smiles and joy on Christmas morning.

Yet when Christmas morning came, we sat in a stunned silence as we watched our 6 year old son quickly tear through a mountain of presents in what seemed like 30 seconds, and then solemnly look around and ask, “So, that’s it? But I wanted…”

We couldn’t believe what we were witnessing!

We had been so thoughtful with our gifts and had spent so much time and money to give them all they could want or need, and instead of being grateful, they were left with a feeling of dissatifaction and unfulfilled wants.

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Not quite the smiles and joy we had hoped for.

And so that day, we knew things needed to be different for our family. It was a wake up call not only that our son had gotten it wrong, but even more so, that my husband and I had.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the wants and the “gimmee gimmee’s” that the Holiday Season can bring. So easy. Like, every other day I have to check my own self before I wreck my own self. That easy.

And if I find that the struggle is that real in my own heart, how much more so will it be in the hearts of our little ones?

So, we made a change. We shifted our focus from what we want, instead to what we have to be thankful for. And we brought the excess of presents down to three or four per child, with a budget for the total amount set.

And instead of presents we focus on traditions.

Reading and reflecting on the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Thinking of ways to bless others around us.

Listening to Christmas Music.

Building Gingerbread Houses.

Watching Christmas Movies.

Getting hot cocoa or cider and heading out to look at all the Christmas lights around town.

And when Christmas morning comes, they know what to expect. They know how many and how much. And before anything…we pray and we reflect on the story of Jesus.

And we are grateful.

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Today’s Giveaway:

Summer wants to help you to capture all of the things that you are grateful for, so she is generously giving away this beautiful  Gratitude Journal by Catherine Price.

To enter for a chance to win, simply enter a comment on today’s post sharing what you are grateful for today.

Don’t forget to come back for all 12 days! {And remember, if you comment on all 12 posts, you might win the Grand Prize!}

274 Comments

  1. I am thankful for the gospel. I am thankful for a God that keeps me and grows me. I’m thankful for my amazing husband and 3 kids! They are gifts to me. I am thankful for the difficult days, because God is in them too! I am thankful that I have so much more to be thankful for!

  2. Grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father who gave EVERYTHING when sending His son to die for me. It is the ultimate Christmas gift! :)

  3. I am grateful every day for the Lords blessings in my life. We have had some struggles the last 4 years, and one way or another, we are taken care of. Thank you for the post.

  4. I am grateful for His love for me, my husband and my kids…how He continues to guide, direct, provide, and loving us!

  5. I am so grateful for my husband, my two children and my two bonus boys! In days of the world whirling around us at breakneck speed, it is so great to know that I have these five on my side along with the Lord. I am grateful to have a job where all the women in the area actually get along, listen and empathize with one another. It is an amazing feeling when you feel like you have know a group of people your whole life, when you are the newbie on the block!
    Blessings to all,
    KK

  6. I am grateful for my wonderful family and my church family where I feel I can share my deepest sorrows or my happiest moments. These people are gifts to me!!

  7. Today, I’m grateful for our own little traditions. My husband did not grow up having Christmas traditions and I’m so very grateful for how far he’s come in getting the kids excited for the season and being excited himself.

  8. I am grateful for The Nesting Place! I recently (last month) discovered that I won this from Karen’s page back in May. I sent in the e-mail and she still so graciously sent it to me. Thank you! We are getting ready to move into the home of our dreams but Mylliquin’s book is helping me to put a lot into perspective and she has some great tips!!!

  9. I am grateful for my health and the health of my family when so many I know are being affected by cancer.

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