Oh - I needed this!

The Christmas Spirit

I always get so busy with shopping, Christmas programs, baking, and everything else that comes along with the Christmas season, that sometimes I forget the real reason we celebrate.

I am so grateful for the Savior of the world.  For His willingness to come to this earth and atone for my sins.  When I remember His life and His sacrifice, I am able to relax a little and feel the true Spirit of Christmas. 

So, I wanted to take the time to pause a little from all the craziness and wish you a Merry Christmas.  I hope you will feel the love of our Savior as well and it will warm your heart and home.

Merry Christmas!

How do you spell PEACE?

The kids and I were trying to get all the Christmas decorations up before my hubby came home from his trip to Oregon.  I was out in the garage rummaging through more boxes and I came in to find that the kids had already put up the stocking holders.   Ya - it's supposed to say PEACE

Funny -  real funny!

Christmas Highlights!

My Santa!

For those who follow my blog, there was no obscene Santa this year.

It wouldn't be a Christmas party without a wrestle with Uncle Jeff. Sometimes he's worse than the kids.

Christmas Eve always involves cousins and new Jammie's.
Christmas morning with our kids is always magic. Allison tried sneeking down before everyone to get a peek.
And I wouldn't post this picture of me in all my morning glory, except you have to see the look on my face to really appreciate how awesome it was when my hubby gave me my new IMAC computer. Click on it and you can see me saying "SHUT UP!".
He also gave me one-on-one classes every week at the apple store for a year.
There really is a Santa!

My Own Christmas Miracle

I had a miracle happen today, my own Christmas miracle. I was called as choir director for our ward. For those of you who are not of the LDS faith, I was asked to direct the Choir for my church, purely voluntary. My Bishop said he was inspired to ask me -HA! I didn't believe him, and I even went as far as telling him he missed the mark.

I grumbled for weeks and finally started having choir practice to get ready for the Christmas program in 8 weeks. Despite what my friends think, this was such a difficult thing for me. I will admit that in my youth, things came easy to me. I could sing in front of a crowd and felt little fear in front of people. But I have changed over the years. As I have struggled with health problems and different things in my life, I seemed to have lost my confidence. I am incredibly forgetful and I cringe at the thought of people looking to me and relying on me to lead them.

Practices moved along and I did my homework and tried my hardest. But I have to tell you that this white girl has NOOOOOO rhythm. I wrestled with my hands, trying to make them do what my mind was thinking. The choir was patient with me and I continually fumbled the cut offs and cues.

The day of the performance arrived and I wanted to throw up as I sat there waiting for the program to begin. And then it came to me. If the Bishop was really inspired to call me as choir director, then I am doing exactly what the Lord wants me to do. I realized at that moment that this did not have to be my burden. I have done everything in my power to make this a success and now it was His turn to come through for me. I prayed harder than ever and told God that I was done. Now it was His turn to make my hands do what they needed to do. I wasn't going to be nervous because if this is what He wants, then He had better be there helping me. (Are you allowed to get a little bossy in your prayers? - cause I was). I wasn't asking for His help, I was DEMANDING it.

The program began, and I was nervous at first. But something happened - magic! The choir sounded like angels. Things that weren't working before, now came together like chocolate and peanut butter. I couldn't believe my ears. I felt the excitement swell within me as we went along and I was able to hit every cue and cut off. I didn't want it to end. I prayed that the people in the choir and in the congregation would feel the true spirit of Christmas. And you know what? I think they did. I realized through this whole thing, that it's not about me. God has a bigger purpose and I was just glad to be apart of it.

This was my miracle and I am sharing it with you.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Humor

The Christmas Rush!

What happened to all the free weekends in December?

Jeff is taking the day off and we are

Christmas Shopping!

Wish me luck!