What made it different?

Yesterday was great. Waking up to my 5 year old yelling, "Santa brought me a skate board!" took the sleep right out of my eyes and drew a smile across my face. Some of the presents had already been opened because it is awfully hard for a 5 year old and a 2 year old to keep from ripping off all that beautiful crisp wrapping paper and finding a treasure inside. I admit that oldest knows better, but it isn't fair to him if his sister opens something and he doesn't, right? I'm sure that he had some part in helping her find a present to open in the first place. e

So after a fabulously happy day filled with candy, presents, rich food (I only buy bacon on holidays, mmmm, bacon) and just being together as a family I thought about this:

What makes today different?

Is it the presents? They are nice, but don't ususally bring this kind of happiness.

The food? No, it's great, and I Love food, but a sugar high can only last so long.

Being together? No, we are together every day.

What about faith, hope and Charity?- yes, but not really the cause of the difference I don't think.

What did We do to make it such a special day? then I realized it- it is FUN. Fun! We quit worrying about everything and played with play-doh. We enjoyed making our meal. We filled our home with the fun anticipation of Celebrating the birth of Christ, giving presents, and enjoying each other. We played all day. At the end of the day no one had trouble going to bed, the kids just crashed. Adrian and I enjoyed a movie together. By having fun we were able to get to a place in our hearts of meaningful worship and love for one another.

That's what Joy is.

That's how Christmas can stay in my heart all year round- I can have more fun. Fabulous!

"This Christmas..."

This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage Youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a Promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it AGAIN.

- Howard W. Hunter, McCalls Magazine Dec 1959

Christmas Time Again!

I love Christmas. My son couldn't wait to bring out the Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving. I'm glad he "motivated" me to do it- like it was hard. So here I am now, just a few days before Christmas and I am starting some projects for Christmas presents. I am a little crazy, but things seem to get busy so I think I am going to have a few late nights. I went to the craft store tonight and just made it before closing time. I was on the hunt for fabric and notions to make a quiet book for Lily. I will post some pics of my project. It should be cool. I like to do SOMETHING homemade every year. Homemade seems like it makes the gift more real. It's just too easy to buy something, not personal enough you know? But don't let that stop you from giving me a gift. :)