Merry Christmas!!!

I had a very Christmasy morning this morning. It was wonderful to wake up and have the big projects finished. I went to the store just to get a few ingredients for some Christmas baking that I want to do today.
As I finished at the grocery store, a very cute young man helped me out to the car with my bags. A bagger boy, you could say. They seem to be disapearing most places.
Anyway, as we were walking to the car, he asked me if I'd finished my Christmas shopping and I told him that I had. I then asked him if he'd finished his shopping and he told me that he had not, that he still needed to buy gifts for all his friends but he had finished shopping for his family. He told me what he bought for his siblings and Dad, but he got something really great for his mom (it cost $50 he'd spent most of his money on her) and he wasn't telling anyone what it was. He was just so happy and cute. I kept thinking whoever his parents are, they have taught this kid how to really enjoy Christmas. I am so glad that I met him. He made my day.
When I meet young people like this bagger, and so many others that I have met in my neighborhood, it has given me great confidence in the future. What wonderful people to turn the planet over to. I think that they will prepare themselves to solve some of the world's great troubles and bring peace and happiness to many places.
I put this picture up of the Capitol Christmas Tree because I just want to say one other thing and that is that I am so thankful for this country. Americans have so many blessings. As the news crews send in pictures from many troubled places, I am so grateful to be here with my family. It is my great hope that one day all the world will enjoy the freedoms and prosperity that we have here.
I am so thankful for the soldiers that serve here and abroad. So many are missing Christmas with their families. Our prayers are with them. We are thankful for what they do and what they and their families sacrifice for us and we are praying for them this holiday season.

I hope all of you will have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you to everyone who purchased Love Boxes for Christmas, I hope whoever receives them will enjoy them as much as I enjoy painting them.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Tiffany

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth,
good-will to men!
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow