Holidays!

Christmas is so fun! Even better when there are children about, to make the time of year that much more exciting. Most of our boys know the true meaning of Christmas and no longer believe in the man in the warm cozy red suit. We constantly hush them when others are around, so that other children can still believe.

This year we wanted to teach them about giving and the fun and joy there is in giving. That has been our focus. We want them to understand that it has nothing to do with what is under the tree, but everything to do the our Savior. We sang Christmas songs together. We read Luke 2 and talked about the amazing birth of the Christ Child. We talked about the way we should treat others. It's been a great time for teaching and learning.

The tree was beautiful and was decorated with care. That always helps bring the Christmas spirit into our home. The Christmas music played, as often as possible. Presents we wrapped. Packages were mailed. Goodies were baked. It was a wonderful Christmas.

Lyssa-loo is two. This Christmas was especially fun with her. She loved opening gifts. She loved the shoes, all three different kinds, and kept trying a new pair on over and over again.

The boys were so funny. They were so excited about some of their gifts that they were jumping up and down, screaming, giggling and smiling. They had a fantastic Christmas.

The only bummer about the whole holiday, well two bummers, was that we didn't have any family to share it with for the first time in years...and we got sick. Lyssa-loo got it first. Then Todd got it and the fever hit on Christmas afternoon. Then it hit me. So, Sunday was spent in bed, watching all the new movies we got for Christmas and solving Rubik's cubes. I was so excited to solve all 4 Rubik's cubes in the house. Not only that, it was the first time I have EVER solved one. I broke a record for myself!!! That was fun! Now it's Monday, Todd had to stay home from work, sick. We stayed in bed most of the day. I got the shakes, chills, stuffy head, head ache, runny nose...fun. So, I have watched more movies and took a nap while the kids and Todd played video games.

I hope we feel better soon. No more sugar. I haven't had sugar in the house until the holiday season, and guess what, I've been healthy. Now, when there is sugar around, and I'm eating it, I get sick. Cursed sugar. If only the silly viruses didn't feed on the stuff, I'd be okay!

Anyway, I'm grateful for health and grateful for a wonderful Christmas. I truly hope that more people will keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout the year this year. Happy New Year!

A Give-Away!

http://iamapistachio.blogspot.com/2010/12/giveaway-adorable-handcrafted-play-food.html?spref=fb

I have an amazingly talented friend who makes the most adorable felt food. I have purchased a few pieces from her for Alyssa and she LOVES to play with them. The fried eggs are so realistic and the bacon looks like I could eat it. It's so much fun! Take a gander at the link on my friend's blog and also catch the tempting foods on Etsy. ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/thewhimsicalgourmet )

Life Lessons

In my life I have learned much. I continue to learn much. I hope to be able to continually learn great things to help improve myself and my family. I find it quite interesting that no matter how hard we try...no matter how much effort we put into becoming better...there is always more to do. That's not a bad thing. It's good. Think about it....for all the time spent learning and improving...there is always more that we can learn. I won't stop here, at this moment in time, just like I am today. Thank goodness! I'll keep getting better.

I love listening to others who have lived longer than I. They have gained so much knowledge and wisdom. And I wonder...is my heart and mind open to new ideas, new strategies, new ways of being? I try...all the time...to be very open minded. No one thinks the same way, and that can be a blessing. Others' ideas give a new perspective; opens the eyes; helps to see things more clearly. The fog lifts and the light bulb turns on. Aha! New knowledge flows quickly, filling empty spaces, that were waiting to be filled.

I'm surely not done learning and I am so thankful for that. I might not have a formal college education, but I research, I poke, I prod, and turn over new rocks and leaves...looking for more knowledge. It's all around us...begging to be found.

Some knowledge comes from trials; events in our lives that cause us to learn. What a great time to take a step back and really ponder and observe and learn. What could I have done differently? What could I have worded more kindly? What facial expressions could I have changed? What reactions or overreactions could I have eliminated by taking a deep breath, stopping, and thinking, before responding?

I'm grateful for this time on earth to learn...to become a better person. I hope that when I meet my Father in Heaven again he will be pleased with the person I have become.