Does anyone feel like they turn into a kid again at Christmas time? Have you heard the song by Kenny Rogers, “Kids”? The first part of the song goes like this:
Kids
Christmas is for kids
Look around, and you will see
Kids from one to 93
Laughing, loving life, and being kids

Every time I hear this song, I remember being six or seven years old and this album playing on our old vinyl player. I can remember the anticipation of knowing that Santa would soon be on his way. The needle would skip along the record player as it was waiting to be flipped over to the other side. Outside our window and down the road you could see the brightness from the C9 bulbs glowing so brightly. It still feels so fresh in my mind.

I truly think this is one of the best parts of the season. Those feelings all come rushing back to us. I believe that’s why I have already been up Candy Cane Lane more than I can count. It’s the one place I can go to, and the same houses are still all lit up, just as I remember. C9 look alike bulbs still zig zag clear up Summer Street. The manger still looks the same way I remember it. It may be in a new spot, but baby Jesus never changes.

It’s just like looking up in the sky on Christmas Eve for Santa’s sleigh and searching for the Christmas star. Will we ever get too old for either of these? Never, just like when I hear the song “Kids,” now, it just hits me differently.

I believe things we hear, see, and smell during the holidays can send us back to certain memories that will always be a part of us and make us feel like kids again. There is so much joy that comes with this time of year and heartbreak for those who have departed us. But we know if we keep that joy of Jesus, not just at Christmas, that we can make it through anything.

We have memories of Christmas past. Just stop and allow yourself to remember. Light that evergreen candle that reminds you of your grandma. Hang C9 light bulbs outside on a bush to remind you of how the streets once looked. Turn on that song that instantly takes you back to being that little girl or boy at Christmas. Whether it’s Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” or “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, it’s sure to give you all the Christmas feels from past and present.

It’s too funny as I sit here writing this because one of my childhood favorite albums just came on the radio. Alabama CHRISTMAS, we also had on vinyl. Christmas Memories, of course, hits differently now, too.
Christmas Memories of happy years gone by
They come back to me and make me warm inside
Still, those Christmas memories mean so much to me
Oh, those Christmas memories make me cry

The timing that this song came on was perfect. I am so thankful for all the wonderful Christmases over the past 38 years. Most of them are absolutely wonderful. But in a few of them, I felt heartache. Losing my grandfather, Dwain Perry, on Christmas morning had to have been the hardest one. The devastation we all felt. The first Christmas after my parents divorced was a quick second. That hit differently, too. But each one has been special in their own way. My pap got to spend Christmas with Jesus! How amazing is it to go to heaven on Jesus’ birthday? Can you imagine the celebration? And last year was the first year since I was 19 years old that I spent Christmas with my mom and dad together for Christmas dinner. It was amazing. I’m so anxious for this year’s dinner and what my parents and in-laws will be a part of this year. (Shhh — it’s a Christmas secret!)

And NO. No baby train, folks. That Christmas train has left the station, baby! Haha!!

I’m so thankful for the continued surprises, traditions, and memories being made. I’m thankful to feel like a kid again at Christmas and pray I never get too old to watch the sky on Christmas Eve. Christmas is right around the corner, folks!

Christmas Gooey Bars
Ingredients:
• 1 egg
• 1 and ½ cups of vanilla cake mix (½ box of standard cake mix)
• 1/4 cup of oil
• 3-4 tablespoon sprinkles, I just red, green and white jimmies
• 7 oz container marshmallow cream
• 3 cups of mini marshmallows
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups crisped rice cereal, I used Sugar Cookie Pebbles
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the first layer, mix together cake mix, egg, sprinkles and oil. Press into greased 9×9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

For the second layer, remove the cake mix layer from the oven and put spoonfuls of the marshmallow cream on top. Allow the marshmallow cream to heat and spread out on its own.

While waiting, make the top layer. Microwave 1½ tablespoons of butter for 20 seconds in a large bowl, until melted. Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. (If the marshmallows aren’t completely melted, microwave for an additional 30 seconds.) Mix in 3 cups of crisped rice cereal.

Carefully spread the marshmallow cream out evenly. Then, drop the crisped rice mixture by large spoonfuls over the marshmallow cream layer and carefully spread out evenly. Add more holiday sprinkles.

Allow the bars to cool and set before cutting them into squares. They spread once they are cut, so you might want to wait to cut them until right before serving.