my Christmas

This is how it went....


Christmas Eve, my family and I enjoyed an exciting, fun, and amazing Christmas Eve service at Elevation church. We heard good music and an excellent message! Afterward we headed to Chick fil A, and then went home to open presents and bake yummy cookies and fudge...our holiday tradition.

I had an amazing Christmas. Full of family, friends, laughter, and even tears. This Christmas was an eye opener of who really matters and who really cares.

I know now for sure who my real family is, and also who the people are on my family tree who don't care enough, and decide to rudely walk out before even eating Christmas dinner.

Even though this happened, I think that this has been a marvelous Christmas....forgetting the bad stuff and realizing that this is a new beginning for those who love one another unconditionally....and don't walk out on their family.

Through it all, God has shown himself good, again! His love is soo amazing...and without Him, my family couldn't get through these things. We've got to stick together.



The day after Christmas, my aunt and family went to see the movie "Marley and Me..." My sister, Mom, and I all read the book....so knew what we were in for. Let me tell you, there was no dry eye in the theater! It was a very good movie, with a sad ending. All the girls were sobbing! What can I say, we are dog lovers! After the movie was over, we enjoyed South 21 hamburgers with my grandparents and visited some more, then called it a night.

I have to say...it was a perfect Christmas.

Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things, making those count for more than the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it... and that's all we can ask for. ~Bailey from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

the true meaning of Christmas

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

In the world that we live in today, we don't focus on what Christmas is really about. It's not about presents, lights, or Santa. That's what we have made it, but that isn't what it means. Christmas is a time for family and friends, love and laughter, and most of all Jesus. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day. And that is what it is truly all about.

Luke 2:11-14 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

^ This is what Christmas is really about.

Not the presents wrapped perfectly underneath the Christmas tree.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless you abundantly this holiday season.

the move

My family and I have moved to a larger house just this past week. We left the house we call "home", that we had lived in for 15 years. I came home from the hospital to that house....that's where I grew up, along with my brother and sister. So many memories are there. My dad was talking about how the structure doesn't really matter, it's the people you are with. He said that we will still have each other. Yes, we will have each other, and that is a great point, however, that was my "home" all my life. I never even thought we would move. Not once did the thought cross my mind. This is probably the hardest thing that I've had to do. I loved that house....still do, always will.
For art class last year, we were asked to draw and design our own dream house...and that is what I did. The finished product looked exactly like the house I have lived in all my life.....I guess I just fell in love with living in that house.....the house I designed was a lot bigger on the inside, but the same structure on the outside. Same large porch with beautiful rocking chairs.
Many nights over the past few weeks, I would just lay down and cry. The memories attached to that house are soooo incredible....I hate that we had to leave. We are still not done moving everything yet (getting there) but each time I go into the empty house, it brings reality into light....
I know that since I did grow up there, that will always be "home." In my heart, there will always be a place for it.

Pictures are hung, furniture is where it should be, curtains up, things are put away, even the Christmas tree is up, and a wreath is on the door.....the new house is beautiful. As hard as it is, I guess this is my new "home."

Love, laughter, and life filled that house...now we have the memories. For the time we live in this new house....there will be love, laughter, and life, too. That is what will make it feel like home.

Christmas Movies

I have a few favorite Christmas movies:

• Christmas Vacation:

It is simply hilarious! Shows how hectic and crazy the holiday season can be!

• The Family Stone

This movie is funny, but sweet all at once. It reminds me soo much of my family...now and in the future.

• The Christmas Shoes

This movie shows the true meaning of Christmas....

and of course....

• Charlie Brown Christmas

the cutest movie ever!

Christmas Time

The memories I have had at Christmas time have been so remarkable. I don't think I have forgotten a single detail. Every year we have a routine that we follow, and it just wouldn't be the same if we didn't. This is what my family and I do for Christmas:


Christmas Eve, we spend the day together and that evening we go to the Christmas Eve service at church. Once we are home from church, we read the Christmas Story in the bible together. Then we share something nice about one another. We then begin opening presents from under the tree. Christmas day is too hectic to open them all!


Christmas Day, we get up (when we were little, we got up super early--now, we sleep in as late as possible!) and see what "Santa" brought us!


Afterwards, we hit both grandparents' houses; eat, open gifts, and spend time with one another. My family is simply amazing and we have a great time.

This year it might be a little different...but it's ok, it's still going to be Christmas as long as we are together.





Christmas is in the air. I can feel it. And I love it.

busy

Life has been so busy lately...I haven't had much time to blog. This has been a great weekend. The holiday season is here...and I am so thankful to have received so many blessings just in the past year. God is good, all the time!

my Thanksgiving break

My Thanksgiving break was so amazing. Five full days of family, friends, neighbors, laughter and happiness. I am sooo incredibly thankful to spend time with my family. I am already looking forward to Christmas!

Wednesday, I visited with my neighbors. Then my family and I went shopping---before the rush on Black Friday. Then my Mom and I went to my grandparents (her parents) and got to visit with them and my aunt Terri and Lacey. We had a great time; talked, laughed, played Nintendo DS, iPod touch games, watched tv, talked, laughed, laughed and talked some more! I love them all sooooo much!!!

Thursday, Thanksgiving day, I started my day with watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv. David Archuleta *YAY* sang Crush. It was awesome. Then we went to my aunt and uncle's house for lunch. We visited a while and had a great time---better than anticipated. Then we went to my dad's parents (my grandparents) for dinner. Fun fun fun. I think we were all WIPED by the time we got home for the night.

Friday....I slept in, late. Visited with neighbors, and my family. Hung out.

Saturday I babysat baby Alyssa and Lauren (mainly the baby) all day and all night. My neighbors had a huge party. It was soo fun! I spent the night over at their house. Had a great time.
Sunday, once I was done babysitting I came home and slept!

And now here we are....I plan to blog some this week....last week was just too crazy.
I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!