Christmas Light Extravaganza!

There's something very cool and "Christmas-y" about sharing the same traditions you shared with your parents, with your baby. After you become an adult, Christmas can become just something to add stress to an already stressful life.

I'm not saying that to make it sound like Christmas is insignificant, because it definitely is. It's a time to celebrate the birth of my Savior and celebrate His message of love for one another. I just feel that as I have gotten older, I can recognize how commercial and selfish this holiday can get.

Take for instance, Hobby Lobby. I looove me some Hobby Lobby, but this time of year, that store makes women crazy. I have gotten more dirty looks and more judgemental little eye's from woman in the past month than I have all year. I don't understand that. We can throw money into the bell ringer's bin and then immediately push one another out of the way to get a favorite nativity scene for 50% off? This is almost hilariously hypocritical.

 I am not trying to sound bitter, because if you really know me, then you know I am a crazy Christmas lover. I love the celebration, the music, lights, presents, family time, traditions and having a child's eyes to look through again brought back my sheer LOVE for this holiday.

We took Isabelle to Rhema Bible college a local (you guessed it) bible college in town that does an AMAZING display of Christmas lights. It started in the 80's, when I was just a tyke, with 60,000 lights. It now has over 2 million. It's beautiful!

We picked Isabelle up some hot chocolate from Starbucks before we arrived, which is a must. Their kids hot chocolate is not hot enough that you have to wait for it to cool down and it tastes like melted chocolate. It's amazingly rich and the way hot chocolate should taste. To a 16 month old, it tastes like heaven.

Isn't that the cutest little cup? It looks like a shot glass in Mr. T's hand and a Large in Izzy's hand (or a venti for all you Starbucks aficionados).

After she had her kids crack  hot chocolate in hand, she was ready to hit the lights. As soon as she saw the first twinkle, she was in love.

No, that's not a booger on her nose. It's a scrape. This is what happens when you run everywhere instead of cautiously walking, like most toddlers.

She sprinted from light to light and yelled, "Wow!" every step of the way. Mr. T and I could barely contain our excitement just watching her excitement.

This is Flash...Aka Isabelle.

Some of the lights are synchronized to music which led Isabelle to do a few spontaneous booty shakes in the middle of the bible college. Hallelujah! The girl didn't get momma's dance moves! Girl can break it down! Can I get an Amen?!

Showing a little daddy love

It's so beautiful to see the world through Isabelle's eyes and to be reminded to embrace life and even the craziness that ensues Christmas. I don't want her to grow up to be a grumpy shopper or think that gifts and lights are the true meaning of Christmas.

 I want her to remember that all this craziness is for His birthday party.

The most important birthday party in the world.

The birth that saved us all.