Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year...it brings all things fun and exciting. I found this poem...about sums it up!

For All Warm Things" by Marjorie Holmes

For all warm things of this season I thank you, Lord.

For the warmth of my kitchen as I turn on the oven and sift and measure and stir and bake.

For the snug warmth of the bedrooms where (finally, after much commotion) my children sleep.

For the warmth of this cup of steaming coffee in my hand as I settle down (exhausted, and at last) before the fire that dances so warm and festive on the grate.

And for warm clothes, Lord. These slippers, this robe - all the untidy closets bursting.

That car coat tossed across a chair.

And the car itself; a warm car to take us places (once we get it started).

And those warm places: the homes of neighbors, friends, a warm church to worship in.And the warm people there. The warm smiles and greetings. The generosity and kindness of people everywhere.

I am full of this warmth, Lord. It comforts me, it calms me. It makes me feel a glow almost as rosy as the embers in the fireplace.

I want all people to be warm and rested and at peace.Thank you for this blessed season of warmth in the midst of so much that is chill and stormy. Let it draw all of us together against the coming cold.

and to add

Thank you Lord for the birth of my Savior that night. He has given me life and all these wonderful blessings I do not deserve. Let me not forget... He is truly the reason for this season.

Visit with Santa

Well it seems that every year I post about the kids visit with Santa. It always is interesting to see just how they have grown from year to year and what it says about their little personalities. This year was no different.

It seems that Samuel now really does NOT believe in Santa. It's sort of a bittersweet thing. We decided in our house that we would never really PLAY up the story of Santa but wouldn't discourage the belief either. We "do" Santa but have never allowed it to take importance over the birth of our Savior. But...somehow it just was too hard not to let the kids enjoy that part of the "magic!" The one thing we did say is that if they ever asked us "IS SANTA REAL?" We would not lie. Well...a few months back, Samuel asked that very question and also added, "Tell me mom...yes or no!" Well you can't lie about that...

So..anyways Samuel was not as happy about the visit as the other two. Being the shy kid he is he didn't really think it was so necessary to stand in front of a large group of people and tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. ( in a microphone) none the less. So he went but had asked if he could stay with us rather than take the picture this year. Unfortunately Mom and Dad won on that one. He had to go up there. Otherwise the other two would wonder what's up!

So...he went and did go tell Samuel what he wanted very very sheepishly. A Nintendo DS...think Santa might bring that this year. He has asked for that for two years now.

Gracie went next...she was really scared (and excited). Santa's snow princess was so exciting she just burst into tears when she asked her name. Then after the princess gave her a "snowflake for courage" she was a big girl. She walked right up to Santa and told him she wanted a BARBIE dress. I was very proud of her...she overcame her fear and took a beautiful picture.

Now Bubs has always loved Santa. He's never been afraid and honestly I wonder if he might not ever stop loving the man in the red suit. He always sits with him. His only concern was why we wanted him to get in Gracie's picture with the Snow Princess. He burst into tears and yelled "HO HO!" I guess he thought she was a subsitute. When he made it to Santa he was all smiles and proudly told him he wantedt the movie CARS 2. After a hug he was done.

I know the years of sitting with Santa are numbered. I don't really want to be that mom that makes my teenagers sit on his knee but it really is a part of childhood I will truly remember..