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	<title>Comments on: When Christmas Isn&#8217;t How You Wanted</title>
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	<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/</link>
	<description>Encouragement for a Simple Home</description>
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		<title>By: Sara</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-8854</link>
		<dc:creator>Sara</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:27:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-8854</guid>
		<description>Oh, I wish I had read this last year!  Last year was my second year of marriage, and thus the year to be with my husband&#039;s family for Christmas (and my birthday, which is December 31st).  It was also the first time in 22 years I&#039;d ever been away from MY family for those.  I don&#039;t know how many tears I cried over it.  Funny thing is, when all was said and done, it wasn&#039;t as devastating as I&#039;d expected for the past year.  It didn&#039;t feel like Christmas to me, but I actually had a good time.  :)</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oh, I wish I had read this last year!  Last year was my second year of marriage, and thus the year to be with my husband&#8217;s family for Christmas (and my birthday, which is December 31st).  It was also the first time in 22 years I&#8217;d ever been away from MY family for those.  I don&#8217;t know how many tears I cried over it.  Funny thing is, when all was said and done, it wasn&#8217;t as devastating as I&#8217;d expected for the past year.  It didn&#8217;t feel like Christmas to me, but I actually had a good time.  <img src='http://smallnotebook.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>By: Tess</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3783</link>
		<dc:creator>Tess</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:44:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3783</guid>
		<description>Our Christmas was far from perfect because I&#039;m having issues with getting stuff done but we all hada great day and really enjoyed ourselves.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our Christmas was far from perfect because I&#8217;m having issues with getting stuff done but we all hada great day and really enjoyed ourselves.</p>
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		<title>By: Sue</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3408</link>
		<dc:creator>Sue</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:54:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3408</guid>
		<description>Catching on my blog reads and read your post.  Very true and beautifully put.  Our pastor preached a similar sermon on Sunday.  Thanks for the reinforcement.

&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sue&#180;s last blog post..&lt;a href=&quot;http://suejersey.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-snow.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;No snow......&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Catching on my blog reads and read your post.  Very true and beautifully put.  Our pastor preached a similar sermon on Sunday.  Thanks for the reinforcement.</p>
<p><abbr><em><abbr><em>Sue&#180;s last blog post..<a href="http://suejersey.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-snow.html" rel="nofollow">No snow&#8230;&#8230;</a></em></abbr></em></abbr></p>
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		<title>By: Rainy @ More Gravy</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3309</link>
		<dc:creator>Rainy @ More Gravy</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:31:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3309</guid>
		<description>This is such a great and timely post.  I&#039;ve also really enjoyed reading the other comments here too.  It gives such a warm feeling to read thoughts from so many good people.

&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;Rainy @ More Gravy&#180;s last blog post..&lt;a href=&quot;http://moregravycinderella.blogspot.com/2008/12/making-christmas-treats-with-young.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;Making Christmas treats with young children&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is such a great and timely post.  I&#8217;ve also really enjoyed reading the other comments here too.  It gives such a warm feeling to read thoughts from so many good people.</p>
<p><abbr><em><abbr><em>Rainy @ More Gravy&#180;s last blog post..<a href="http://moregravycinderella.blogspot.com/2008/12/making-christmas-treats-with-young.html" rel="nofollow">Making Christmas treats with young children</a></em></abbr></em></abbr></p>
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		<title>By: Julie</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3209</link>
		<dc:creator>Julie</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:11:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3209</guid>
		<description>Thank you so much for this post.  It was a great reminder for me.  My husband was surprisingly and shockingly laid off this past Tuesday.  It was a serious shock to us since his boss had just told him (and others he laid off) that their jobs were secure.  We were already planning on a leaner Christmas, but we have now returned most of the gifts to the store.  We will now be blessed to focus on the true reason for Christmas and also to focus on simple things: reading Christmas stories by Christmas tree lights, enjoying warm cocoa cuddled on the coach, watching favorite Christmas movies, and enjoying time together.  We remember how truly blessed we are.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you so much for this post.  It was a great reminder for me.  My husband was surprisingly and shockingly laid off this past Tuesday.  It was a serious shock to us since his boss had just told him (and others he laid off) that their jobs were secure.  We were already planning on a leaner Christmas, but we have now returned most of the gifts to the store.  We will now be blessed to focus on the true reason for Christmas and also to focus on simple things: reading Christmas stories by Christmas tree lights, enjoying warm cocoa cuddled on the coach, watching favorite Christmas movies, and enjoying time together.  We remember how truly blessed we are.</p>
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		<title>By: The Nester</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3184</link>
		<dc:creator>The Nester</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:14:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3184</guid>
		<description>Bravo. This was so well said--thank you!

&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Nester&#180;s last blog post..&lt;a href=&quot;http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-garland-is-showing.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;Your Garland is Showing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bravo. This was so well said&#8211;thank you!</p>
<p><abbr><em><abbr><em>The Nester&#180;s last blog post..<a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-garland-is-showing.html" rel="nofollow">Your Garland is Showing</a></em></abbr></em></abbr></p>
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		<title>By: rdzins</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3183</link>
		<dc:creator>rdzins</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:54:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3183</guid>
		<description>A great reminder of how we are really rich with what we have.  

12 Years we went through a incredibly hard time. You can read about it here if you wish: http://downwithdebt.today.com/2008/11/24/dont-forget-about-others-this-season/

My family went through some incredible lean times, and yes, others were truly ungrateful.  I remember our family members that were less then satisfied with the homemade gifts (I have since quit giving gifts to them) but I thought of them and gave them something even though I really had nothing to give.  I think back at there distaste and it makes me sick, I vowed to never raise my kids to believe they are entitled to anything from anyone, and to be grateful if they receive something no matter how large or small.  

Jesus gave himself to us, what more of a gift could you ask for. 

 It is because of those not-so-desirable times that has made me a better person, not everything in live is planned, at the time I did not see it but now as I look back I know it was the best thing that ever happened to me and I will never forget it and am grateful I got to live the experience that taught me that there is more to life than just things.

&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;rdzins&#180;s last blog post..&lt;a href=&quot;http://goingfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/12/homemade-christmas-dish-towel-angel.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;Homemade Christmas dish towel angel&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A great reminder of how we are really rich with what we have.  </p>
<p>12 Years we went through a incredibly hard time. You can read about it here if you wish: <a href="http://downwithdebt.today.com/2008/11/24/dont-forget-about-others-this-season/" rel="nofollow">http://downwithdebt.today.com/2008/11/24/dont-forget-about-others-this-season/</a></p>
<p>My family went through some incredible lean times, and yes, others were truly ungrateful.  I remember our family members that were less then satisfied with the homemade gifts (I have since quit giving gifts to them) but I thought of them and gave them something even though I really had nothing to give.  I think back at there distaste and it makes me sick, I vowed to never raise my kids to believe they are entitled to anything from anyone, and to be grateful if they receive something no matter how large or small.  </p>
<p>Jesus gave himself to us, what more of a gift could you ask for. </p>
<p> It is because of those not-so-desirable times that has made me a better person, not everything in live is planned, at the time I did not see it but now as I look back I know it was the best thing that ever happened to me and I will never forget it and am grateful I got to live the experience that taught me that there is more to life than just things.</p>
<p><abbr><em><abbr><em>rdzins&#180;s last blog post..<a href="http://goingfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/12/homemade-christmas-dish-towel-angel.html" rel="nofollow">Homemade Christmas dish towel angel</a></em></abbr></em></abbr></p>
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		<title>By: Coco</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3182</link>
		<dc:creator>Coco</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:13:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3182</guid>
		<description>That was exactly what I needed to read today.
Thank you.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>That was exactly what I needed to read today.<br />
Thank you.</p>
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		<title>By: Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3181</link>
		<dc:creator>Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:10:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3181</guid>
		<description>What a perfect reminder for this time of year!

Blessings,
Steph

&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;abbr&gt;&lt;em&gt;Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom&#180;s last blog post..&lt;a href=&quot;http://problemsolvinmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;Marathoning part two - Choosing your marathon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/abbr&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What a perfect reminder for this time of year!</p>
<p>Blessings,<br />
Steph</p>
<p><abbr><em><abbr><em>Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom&#180;s last blog post..<a href="http://problemsolvinmom.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post.html" rel="nofollow">Marathoning part two &#8211; Choosing your marathon</a></em></abbr></em></abbr></p>
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		<title>By: Erin L</title>
		<link>http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/10/when-christmas-isnt-how-you-wanted/#comment-3177</link>
		<dc:creator>Erin L</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:01:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://smallnotebook.org/?p=894#comment-3177</guid>
		<description>WOW- thanks :)  I needed that today.  Beautiful, simple, and true. Merry Christmas.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WOW- thanks <img src='http://smallnotebook.org/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />   I needed that today.  Beautiful, simple, and true. Merry Christmas.</p>
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