Believe from The Polar Express (Josh Groban)

I truly dread the day that... well you now. (Shhh!.... the whole Santa thing.)

 I don't even want to say it out loud. 

It's not only because the items on my bribing menu would be lessened. It's because part of their magic world will be lost and gone forever. Selfishly, I feel the magic through them and I don't want to let it go. It's a special place you can retreat to in your mind that is pure, innocent, and smothered with happiness. Sure it's a stressful time of year for many, many reasons but if you slice out the single element of Santa and try to remember how it feels to be five (or 3)...

the power of belief, faith, hope is as true as your next breath. 

Watching my children grow through this special time in their lives brings that truth back to me.

To have the belief that everything has reason, even if for no reason at all. 

To have the faith that goodness is just a moment away. 

To have the hope that many others feel this too.

Whether you turn towards religion, humanity, yourself.... or Santa, just turn.

It's fun to believe.

~

 

I took the kids to Hafner's last night to get our Christmas tree. I don't think smiles left their faces as soon as we walked in the door. Of course Beth bee lined to the pink trees. Sam meanwhile was continuing his 3 year search for the perfect tree topper star . Brian gave me specific instructions not to go over a 7 1/2 or 8 foot tree.

I think his specific quote to me was,

"Hey Tara, take it easy on me this year."

Well, a 108 glorious inches (9 feet) later....

(Don't be messin' with a Christmas Diva and her tree.)

;)

I love this unrehearsed smile of his.

I couldn't have planned this expression if I tried. 

Beth looking up at our 108" tree.

Running home for their promised hot chocolates.

P.S. Thanks Patrick for coming over and helping me get the tree off the truck and in the house.