peace love and assorted baked goods.

Its getting closer and closer to Christmas time.  It has never been sweeter to just be home.  I didn't realize while I was at school how good it feels to be home for holidays like this.  I'm looking at Christmas in a whole new light this year.  Suddenly everything that was appealing about it when I was a little kid has come flooding back.  The last couple years Christmas was good - except my mind was on other things.  My head was already thinking about the future, planning it, wishing for it, wanting more than anything to just be a grown up already.  And now that I'm exactly where I had wanted so badly to be, home is so much sweeter and I'm a little kid again.  I'm excited about the little things again - the hot chocolate, christmas ornaments made out of popsicle sticks and excessive amounts of glitter glue, decorating the house...even Christmas shopping. I usually hate to take part in ridiculous holiday consumerism, but this year I'm happy to do it.  I like to shop for people I love.  And baking...all I want to do, all day long is bake and bake and bake.  I caught myself watching Martha Stewart the other day when I was home alone.  As much as I hate to admit it, after watching I was planning in my head my own little bakery/bookstore, complete with my artwork all over the walls and my children's books being sold along with cute little packages of baked goods.  Damn you Martha Stewart.

I'm just really feeling Christmas this year.  I think I had been missing it the past couple years and I'm so glad to have it back.  The tree is decorated, Dad has his guitar out playing music in the next room, Mom's making Christmas cards...and I just have this really peaceful feeling.  This month has been incredibly stressful for our family financially and emotionally.  But I just feel hopeful right now.  We survive.  We live.  We celebrate.  We bake hardcore.  Life is still amazing and full and wonderful.  

peace love and assorted baked goods.  ~Hayden