Bringing Home the Christmas Spirit

Last year we didn't spend Christmas Day or the winter holidays here in Stuttgart. We spent it at my brother-in-law's in England. Although it was a nice idea to spend Christmas with relatives, a part of me was wishing that we could spend it at home. There really is just no place at home, you know.

This year, I want to spend it here in the real sense of the word. I want to bring home the Christmas spirit and decorate the house with Christmas ornaments and erect a tall Christmas tree that is bedecked with all nice things Christmassy and softly ligted up with led xmas lights. I want to buy little girl an Adventskalendar and tell her the story of the Advent, why we make preparations for Christmas and of the birth of Jesus. I want to visit the Christmas Markets in Heidelberg and Nürnberg. I want to try ice skating with my little girl and perhaps, go sledding or skiing in the mountains too. I want to sip hot chocolate in our living room while listening to Christmas carols or watching a Christmas movie. I want us to exchange gifts, just the three of us and start a family tradition that will continue in the years and generations to come. I want to begin this Christmas and I hope that the heavens will will for it to happen.

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I Am Not A Dress

Some people seem to have abused the option for Tagging Photos on Facebook. Although the photo tagging is a god-sent idea, some people just want to be annoying and the next thing I know, I find in my profile that someone tagged me in one of their photos only to discover that it wasn't really a photo of me but a photo of a dress. 

Don't get me wrong. I respect people's business and I am happy that they using social networking as a means to earn money on the side. But I guess it is just plain annoying if you tag me in every single new stock of RTW. So I hope you just quit it lest I remove you from my Friends list. I guess I am unfortunate because my name starts with the letter A. And you know how it is when it comes to tagging or even sending nonsensical invites: A is the easiest target. Additionally, I wouldn't fit into those dresses anyway so I won't be interested in them. So I hope the tagging will stop. I will not complain if the I am tagged because the photo is related to something that I know and believe in but please, no merchandise!

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Paris or Orlando?

Just for the sake of argument, where is a good place to go for a Christmas vacation: Paris, France or Orlando Florida? Both have Disneyland and we are planning to spend a few days in Disneyland for Christmas.. just because. We have already been to Paris so a Parisian tour is out of the question. But a vacation in Orlando? That I have yet to check in my checklist of places to go. I actually have an aunt who lives in Florida and she even invited us to come over and visit. She also said she will take us to Disneyland there.  

If you do not need to take into consideration the distance, the airfare and the VISA that we need to secure before we can actually fly to the US, Orlando holds a lot of promise because it not only has Disneyland but also the Universal Studios and  Sea World theme parks. But taking all those that I recently mentioned, it would be more practical and more convenient for us to visit Disneyland Paris. 

So that's settled then. The only question remaining is this: Do I have a budget for such a vacation?

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Mommy Moments: Before and After

It is amazing how kids grow so fast these days. One time you just hold them in one arm, so serene and fragile and the next thing you know, they are running around the house, screaming and giving shouts of laughter, or insisting that they be allowed to do this or that.

 Before: At five months old.

Now: My little Samantha at 2 years and 8 months.

But whatever the case, I just feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to really raise her on my own. Not all mommies are as lucky as me. I really cannot complain about anything because I was able to savor and experience my little girl since conception. Perhaps you could say that I am content. Looking at her photographs before and now always leaves a smile and a hint of laughter on my face because you can really see the changes.

I've been trying to finish my little girl's Photobook and I have just finished doing the first year. I have yet to do the 2nd year though. You may check out my output here. I hope you all like it!

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