Every year, the Catholic Family and I keep tabs on Santa’s whereabouts as he delivers presents across the globe by way of NORAD’S Santa Tracker. But holy smokes, are we in for a treat this year after major updates to the tracker site. Much to our surprise, NORAD added Google Earth technology, which amounts to 3-D tracking of Santa. Sweet!

If you have absolutely no idea of what I’m talking about, first go here to NORAD’s tracking sight, then go here to download Google Earth, and finally go here to get the Santa Tracker local to your desktop. Missed some of Santa’s stops? No problem! NORAD posts video of Santa’s delivery sites on YouTube here.

Christmas just gets better & better every year.

Can you believe it? I sure can’t. You’d think I could after so much shopping, wrapping, baking, attending ‘holiday’ musical programs at the CK’s school (oh, I’ve decided to bring one of those booster seat cushions with me next year after my buns disagreed with 4 hours of sitting in that stinkin’ metal chair yesterday), and mailing of presents/cards across the continental United States of America. But no! Christmas just doesn’t seem like it will actually happen in approximately 48 hours. Huh? What’s that all about?

I’m in some sort of denial, that’s it.

Anyway, the Catholic Family and I will be attending mass on Christmas Eve after each of us opens ONE present early, and then we’ll be (at least we hope) unwrapping the multitude of presents Santa strategically leaves under our tree on the morning of Christmas Day. Because a mom needs her sleep, you know. And it takes several hours and a needle-nose pliers to open all those sweet little toys secured so nicely in boxes, too. Ok so yes, my peeps don’t want to deal with TIRED MOM as it is, so this is the best scenario for everyone involved.

So how will YOU be spending the holidays this year?

(Because it’s almost Christmas, so why not?)

Your Christmas Spirit Level: 90%

Your Christmas spirit is almost as big as Christmas itself. Christmas is definitely your thing. You celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm. You love every minute of the holidays. Your Christmas spirit is inspiring to everyone who runs into you during the holidays. You make everyone’s day just a little bit brighter. And that’s what the holidays are all about!

Von Maur at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska will reopen tomorrow. After much cleanup of the memorials and at least one ceremony that I know of outside of the department store, business will return as usual. I don’t know about you, but this has been a hard tragedy to swallow… especially one so close to the holidays.

Be well everyone. Hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them every single day. It matters more than you know.