And then there was Christmas

Cards didn't go out this year.
Not even emails.

Neighbor gifts didn't get handed out.
Parties weren't planned.

Stores didn't get shopped.
Thank goodness for amazon.

I lieu of all that, I fell in love with my baby.
And all my children all over again.

I've thought a lot about the first family of Christmas and what it must have been like to hold that little baby.
Just hold him and study is face. His perfect little ears. His tiny hands and feet. To kiss his nose and chin.

What a marvelous time. How beautiful the knowledge that we have a Savior and that he knows us as a mother knows and loves her babies.

It was a very, merry Christmas.

Home for Christmas

"There have been times, often at Christmas, when we have felt parts of what we will experience when we at last come home to the Father who loves us and answers our prayers and to the Savior who has lighted our lives and lifted us up."
 
What all of us long for in our hearts, at Christmastime and always, is to feel bound together in love with the sweet assurance that it can last forever. This is the promise of eternal life, which God has called His greatest gift to His children (see D&C 14:7). That is made possible by the gifts to us of His Beloved Son: the Savior’s birth, Atonement, and Resurrection. It is through the Savior’s life and mission that we have the assurance that we can be together in love and live forever in families.
 
"The feeling of longing for home is born into us. That wonderful dream cannot become real without great faith—enough for the Holy Ghost to lead us to repentance, baptism, and the making and keeping of sacred covenants with God. This faith requires enduring bravely the trials of mortal life. Then, in the next life, we can be welcomed by our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son to that home of our dreams."

"Home for Christmas," President Henry B. Eyring



One month old!

Joyful Season

(that's not a doll...that's Isaac!)

"This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas."

Thomas S. Monson

And His Name Shall Be Called, Wonderful

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.


And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.





And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.



But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.



For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



From our family
and my heart
to yours,
Merry Christmas.

Glory! Glory! Gloooorreeeee!

We are here! We are here!

It goes without saying, I'm a bit behind on the "record keeping" and I'm sure everyone's just chompin' at the bit to know what the heck has been going on here for the past couple months.

A lot. Actually.

As I'm sure is the case with everyone. Busy, busy.

Nevertheless. I was reminded this week, when I received two beautiful Christmas cards from friends I met only through blogging, that I love blogging. Thank you friends!! I love reading other people's thoughtful insights and sharing my own. So, who needs sleep, right? Let's write!




Don't buy store-bought egg nog!! I made some (from scratch, thank you very much) and it's WAY BETTER than the store stuff. Yes, I was worried that I'd be grossed out by the eggs and I actually cut back on the amount of eggs the recipe called for (and fat), but I cooked it at 160 degrees for a while and nobody got sick. PLUS, it was yummmmmy. (fresh nutmeg is key)

 I'm kind of in love with Amigurumi. I started making some of these gute critters for the kids for Christmas. They are easier than I thought they would be. My kids chose a monkey with overalls. I will take a picture when I'm done, but if you crochet at all, maybe you'd like to check out the free patterns over here.

There's a dragon lover in my household. I would love to make her this, but I'm not sure I can do it. This one is knitted and I'm not as confident in my knitting skills, beyond a scarf. But maybe I will try. Let's see...I have nine more days. I love the colors on this! It's pretty awesome, actually. hmmm.....nine more days.







OK, baby steps. You'll get the actual low down next time. Until then, know that we are all healthy, happy and crazy in love with life. Here's one of the sweetest angels you've ever met, singing:

"Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth - Peace, goodwill to all men!"

Christmas Program for Primary or FHE

We are getting very excited at our house. The tree is up, the garland strung, and the stockings hung. I will be heading to the post office today and then for the rest of the week will be busy with Savior of the World and spending time with my family.

I've recently been called to be the primary chorister. Next week we will be working with the CTR 5 class to present this Christmas program. It is simple and uses the scriptures telling of the Savior's birth and songs from the Children's Songbook. It could be used in the home as well on Christmas Eve or FHE.


Christmas Program