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^{Posted by: CallMeMama}

I tried once to keep a gratitude journal, but similar to keeping a diary when I was a teenager, no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't stay faithful to writing in it daily.  I love the idea of a gratitude journal -- taking the time each and every day to count your blessings.  It's this time of year when people really seem to focus on being grateful for all that you have in your life.  I've read lots of good blogs lately where people have been keeping a running list of all of the goodness that fills there lives.  So as not to feel left out, I've decided to create my own list...with a twist.

Christmas is in full swing here at my house.  We even put up our tree last week, which totally goes against my "not before December 1 rule", but it is hard to deny an excited 5-year-old.  We were still eating Thanksgiving leftovers (my turkey turned out very nice by the way) as we stared at our Christmas tree.  So I've decided to officially combine the two holidays one last time with Mama's List of Why She is Thankful for Christmas. 

This Christmas, I am thankful...

1. that excitement about the holidays is genetic.  My children get excited opening up the boxes of ornaments and decorating the tree just like I used to and I love it.
2. that buying presents for loved ones truly gives me joy and satisfaction.  No, really it does.
3. for old family holiday traditions like watching Christmas Vacation every Christmas Eve in a new pair of pajamas.
4. for the new holiday traditions that we are starting like the special gingerbread houses that I actually allow the boys to decorate all by themselves.
5. that listening to John Denver and The Muppets still brings a smile to my face and makes me miss my own childhood so much that it hurts. 
6. that YouTube has clips of the story of Alfie the Christmas Tree and Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.  God bless you YouTube. 
7. that Christmas is a great excuse to clean out the toy box in preparation for the flood of new ones, and that for at least a month my children's room feels neat and tidy.
8. that listening to the Nutcracker Soundtrack makes me want to dance like a ballerina.
9. that I can use the discipline technique of "Santa is watching you" over and over again--and it actually works!
10. that my kindergartner is learning to write his own letter to Santa that I will secretly hide in a folder in my filing cabinet for years to come.
11. for the opportunity to teach my children about the importance of giving to others who might not be as blessed as we are through programs like Operation Christmas Child.
12. for radio stations that play Christmas music all...day...long.
13. for the little tree that sits in my kitchen entirely decorated with ornaments created by my kids.
14. that every year Linus on A Charlie Brown Christmas reminds me of what the season is really all about.  

I could go on and on.  There are so many wonderful things about the Christmas holiday and I am thankful that I get to experience them all.

What will you be thankful for this Christmas?