There are many headaches that go along with having younger siblings, especially when they are 13 years old and under. However, not all days make you feel like you're a chicken running around with its head cut off. There are plenty of good days that make you realize how blessed you really are to have the youngsters in your life. One of the best times during the year is the holiday season, when my already overfilled heart grows three more sizes in a matter of hours.

Leading up to Christmas is by far my second favorite time of the year. It's more than present shopping and singing Christmas songs of pitch. Continuing to have the magic of Christmas and Santa in my life makes the craziness of this season more bearable. When the world has been overcome by the commercialization of buying the latest gadget and spending thousands of dollars on hundreds of presents, it's beautiful to come home from college and find three little kids who are still innocent and spend their time writing letters to Santa and wishing for their dreams to come true.

Many traditions allow for my family to spend more time together during this season than the rest of the year allows. Especially with two working parents, after school activities, appointments, and such. There's built in time for us to remember why we celebrate this day and to teach the youngest all about the reason for the season. But tucked in between the more serious parts of this season are the little pockets of laughter, silliness, hope, and love. There's more time for cuddles and Christmas movies, to play games or read books all about Christmas.

When we're all curled up on the couch with The Polar Express on the TV, I look around and realize how blessed I am to have such a large family and never having to lose the kid inside me. Having Santa still in my life is such a meaningful experience because it teaches you that no matter what other believe to be true, the only thing that matters is what's in your heart and who's in your arms.

However, I haven't even gotten to the best part: Christmas Morning. Most people now that they're older get to sleep in on Christmas morning. Not me. I'm lucky if I make it to 7 a.m. some years, but I don't care because when we head into the living room as a family to see what Santa left for us, the look on the kids' faces when they see the presents under the tree is priceless. Nothing in the world can compare to watching children on Christmas looking through their stocking and find out that Santa listens.