The Christmas Spirit

I am loving Christmas this year, but not because of the presents. For the first time (I know this sounds really sad) I have really felt "The Spirit "of Christmas. I am getting really emotional writing this, so please bare with me, and I am sorry if it doesn't make sense.

This year our family has been on an emotional roller coaster ride that never seems to end. Because of the difficulty of finding a full-time job and the diminishing hours of a current job, we have experienced a lot of hopelessness, doubt, anger and fear. We have wondered why, if we are doing everything we are supposed to, why aren't things working out. A lot of times we have felt that we were given the opposite of what we felt we wanted or needed. We have been in a a dark tunnel, with no light at the end of it.

But what I have come to realize through the challenges is, I may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I know without a doubt that it is there. Sometimes we are left in the dark, so we will search for the light. This Christmas season I have found that light, and because of that light I have found that hope and peace that comes with it. Looking back, I see how blessed we have been. Through one source or another, we were always provided with the things we needed (usually by the government or family :) We have felt the love and strength from family and friends who have prayed and fasted in our behalf. I have come closer to my Savior, because I know that he has felt everything that I have this past year. When I have felt that things were unfair, I remembered that Christ, who was perfect, was not exempt from suffering and trials, and that his suffering went above and beyond my own. I have felt that when I cried, he was right there crying with me. At times when I have felt broken and without hope, he had his arms around me holding and keeping me together.

It is true that what the Lord takes away, he gives back a hundred fold. In my case, he took all the pain, sorrow and anger, and filled me with joy, peace and love. Our financial circumstances haven't changed, but I no longer feel that this is a challenge, but an opportunity to put my trust in the Savior, and feel of his love and power.

I am sorry I wasn't able to give out presents to people this year, but I wanted to offer my testimony as a gift instead. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!

Songs

I let Justin help me pick out some Christmas songs for my playlist. So the first two songs are the ones he picked out,(Dad I know that you will like these) The first one is actually really funny, make sure you listen to the whole song, and pay close attention to the guy talking about the lights. We both got some good laughs :)

Seriously!!!

Since living in Washington we have had a lot of wake up calls. We are no longer in the Mormon bubble of Rexburg and Utah. There are a lot of really good members here, but clearly not the majority like where we have lived previously. But I have to ask....

Who goes to the store in their bikini's?

Really, it is bad enough that we have to see it in the swimming pool, but walking around in the store. I don't care how hot it is outside, put some close on.

What happens when you take alcohol, a college female and a sheet?

A passed out girl on the grass by the side of the road in nothing but the bare essentials and a small sheet to cover her. That is a lovely site to have to see.

This is probably my favorite and the most recent, as of yesterday.

What happens when you have two young boys, and one big boy driving, who see not 1 but 2 females walking outside in nothing but snow boots and once again bikini's, in the middle of a snow storm?

A lot of honking from drivers passing by, probably males. But from inside of the car this is the reaction you get.

The younger boys "Eww, that is so gross!!!!" (good boys)

The bigger boy "They shouldn't be wearing bikini's"

Couldn't agree more!!!!

Maybe it's just me, but I think we have moved passed the "loin cloth" phase.

So for those girls, here's to clothes, use them, love them, but most importantly WEAR THEM!!!!

I understand now

When you are young, it is really hard to understand why your parents make the rules that they do. I remember saying,

"When I have children I'm not going to make them do that, I am going to let my kids do whatever they want." (Ha ha ha, yeah that's not going to happen.)

For example: Saturday morning cleaning. I dreaded it, I told myself I would never do that to my kids, but surprise, surprise every Saturday I have my kids help me deep clean.

Example #2 Early bedtime. I always complained about having to go to bed at 8:00, but now my kids go to bed at 7:00, sometimes earlier..... depending on the day.

Example #3 This is the rule I hated the most, 12:00 curfew on the weekends!!! Okay, so I don't have teenagers yet, so that rule is still pending. But the way Bailee is going, I may not let her out of the house on the weekends.

It is amazing how without even knowing it, we turn in to our parents!!!! Which is not a bad thing. I have wonderful parents and I am more than happy to follow in their footsteps, but it really makes me think twice about what I am doing as a mom. Because my kids will do as I do(or do the complete opposite if they are too traumatized :) It's kind of a lot of pressure when you think of all the generations you could be affecting.....yikes!!! If our kids don't turn out right, we can always blame our great-great-great.....grandparents....right!!! Just kidding.

I love my kiddos so much and I love being a mom. I don't think I say this very often, but they are really good kids, I am lucky to have them. My kids are my life, they are the reason I get up in the morning, and why I collapse at night.

So to Joel, Bailee and Sydney I love ya, and be patient with me, someday you will understand too!!