Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I wish you joy this holiday season and hope you find time to enjoy the music, lights, and most of all – family time together. The best holiday memories are the time spent together.

My parents share the story of one Christmas when I was young and money was very tight. Each child received one dollar and the name of a sibling. We then went shopping at a thrift store, looking to buy the perfect gift. The huge Grandma purse my brother gave me that year was the perfect place to keep treasures and was toted around everywhere.

That year my parents gave each other the gift of love and time as they each checked out a book from the library to wrap and share – with the promise to read those stories together.

One of my very favorite Christmas gifts is my husband. We were married on Dec. 18th and immediately moved out of state to a tiny half bedroom studio apartment and a new life together. We were lacking in experience and finances but were very rich in love and hope for our future together.

25 years and 7 kids later, we celebrate our anniversary this month and I feel even richer in love with more joy and hope for our future together.

The best Christmas memory is not gifts – it is ourselves.

Find ways to give the gift of yourself to those you love this Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Hansens!

Our cat, Luna, “taking time” to enjoy the Christmas tree.