The Magic of Christmas Lies in your heart

On Christmas Eve Tristan was in full belief and comfort that Santa Claus would soon fill his sleigh and deliver the toys that were on his list to our house on Carpenter Drive in Decatur, Alabama. The pure joy and faith made my heart swell with remembrance of when I was a child. I tried to find one of my Christmas memories in my mind to ponder and rekindle in my heart. I flipped through the files of my memory and fell upon one of the last Christamases that I truly believed in Santa Claus. I remember the magic that I felt as the days wound down to Christmas Eve and the breath taking feeling that I had when I went to bed that night just knowing that something magical would take place that night around the soon-to-be dead tree we had nursed and kept alive for weeks in my parents' living room. I would dream of Santa navigating his way around the furniture to place newly wrapped packages by the calico decorated tree my mom always put up when my brothers and I were children. I had a vision of the wrapping paper that would bring joy to a child's heart just by the sheer awe of the magic that elves took time and care to know how to do it just right.

As I watched Tristan prepare for Santa by placing cookies and milk on the table in the living room by the fireplace and poor reindeer food on the front lawn, I felt a twinge of that old magic run through my heart.

Why is it that we learn the "truth" about Santa? Why can't we have that feeling of vulnerable innocence and always believe that there is a greater being out there that will always shower us with gifts and bring us special gifts that only we can desire?

My son Tristan believes in Santa Claus. Now, Sammy Cade is another story! He said time and again, "No Santa, No Santa come see me!" so we just dealt with it the best we could. He ducked around the living room and said he was "Scerred to see Santa" in his house and that he did not want toys!
The magic is there, it does not take much as a child. To have the child-like faith that there is something greater than all of us out there!

My Family!!!

I had the privilege of going to take pics of my family today.
Here are a few!
I have to say that I have such a gorgeous family!
Lighting was a bit of an issue at times, but I think photo shop took care of most of that!
Enjoy!

Back to work

Today I went on a field trip to the Wetland's Edge.
We got to see saltwater tanks full of exotic fish and local river fish and turtles. We also got to see a 7 foot Burmese Python. That was freaky!
I have a terrible fear of snakes and this big rascal liked my body heat, because all he wanted to do was come my way!
I took lots of pics, wish I could share them with you, but my students are in the pics and I can't share those with you!
The snake was freaky!
I confronted a fear of mine today. YAY! GO ME!
I think this little cartoon is funny because I love butterflies!!!! How can someone be afraid of something so docile and gentle? Snakes, I mean come on, that is a rational fear!!!!!