Enchanted Christmas

Sue is my friend that just gets me.  She doesn't try and change me... she just deals with "who I am" - the good the bad and the ugly.  And I'm thankful.

and she loves Tristan as if he were her own...

and I love her kiddos... BIG!

and these two are thick as thieves...

and I have to soak in every snuggle, every picture... every moment because they are fewer and more far between.  But it's ok - it's life.  I'm just thankful for EVERY SINGLE MOMENT.

and this Christmas I'm doing my best to pray, take care of me. Worry less about what others think of me.

I just read that someone else's opinion of me is none of my business.  It's SO true.

I have an audience of one.  One.

I'm going to laugh louder and love bigger.

I'm going to give more and expect less.

I'm going to be content.

I want to be a better version of me...

and LIVE free of others opinions.  LIVE free of judging others and being so dang hard on myself

and have childlike faith...

because THAT kind of living... well THAT makes this world better.

Tristan begged me for this $25 wooden turtle (that Davis actually wanted).  they are pretty competitive and I said no but then he said he was using all that was left in his savings.  He has $26 and he was using it all to get this turtle. So he did.  And then I asked him why he wanted that so badly... and he said...

"Mommy, it's Christmas. I'm buying it to give to Davis. I have Christmas Spirit and it's time for giving" 

I melted. Tears in my eyes I told him how proud I was.  Sue cried.

Then, his eyes welled up and he saw and realized how selfless that was and he teared up too.

Davis flipped out.  Then, hugged Tristan hard. And then, he turned to me and said
"Julie, you are a good mom.  You have done such a great job raising such a great kid"

He's 11.  Oh mercy... out of the mouth of babes.  

My. Heart. Is. Full.

This little light of mine...

I'm gonna let it shine.