A Great Christmas Holiday!

I love that we had a great Christmas Holiday this year - not that it's a first, but that it can happen over and over again!

Here are some of the things that kept us busy:

I read a lot of stories - and one story a lot of times. It's so fun!


We opened gifts.



We made a craft.


We made some yummy food.


Card games.


We went to see "We Bought a Zoo" and really enjoyed it.
We went out to eat after the movie.


I am so thankful for the members of our family who were able to come join us - we had a great time together! We missed those who could not come. We could have up to 21 people if we all can get together at the same time, but only 14 of us were able to gather for Christmas this year. Our family is growing, and we look forward to bigger gatherings in the future.

We are going to have withdrawals because everyone is gone now!

Soft Carpet

I love soft carpet under my feet in the morning!

(Image from HERE - it's quite similar to my carpet.)

Clothing

No matter the look, it's nice to have clothing!
I like that it keeps us warm if we pile it on in the winter.
I like that clothes include pockets to have a place for a few things we want to keep close to us.
I like that there are different styles and colors and that we don't all have to wear the same look - because we can't all pull off the same look.
I am grateful for those who wear modest clothing - too much skin is not appealing to me.
I like comfy clothing...

(Image from HERE)

In Home Laundry!

I am grateful to have a washer and dryer in my home. It is so nice to be able to work on other things while I am doing laundry and not have to travel somewhere with baskets full of dirty clothes.

(Image from HERE)

Giving!

Oh the Joy of Giving! It blesses so many lives!



I am so grateful that I can give ... I need to do more of it!

I thank you all for the many things you give to me and my family! You are all awesome! I have felt undeserving of the many gifts you have showered upon us. I have felt guilty that I have not done as much for others this year.
We do feel blessed ... and loved! You have blessed our lives in so many ways!

THANK YOU!

I tried to spend more time in 2011 remembering the things I am grateful for - especially the last couple months. I promise to continue to remember those things, but to also try to give a little more. Giving truly blesses lives.

I don't want to just give though, I want to have charity - charity is the best gift of all.

"Thoughts and acts of charity hold together our societies and link us individually to our Savior." (Quote from HERE)


I really need to remember this -

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. …

“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended. … Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” (“The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” Ensign, May 1992, 18–19). This quote is found HERE

Merry Christmas

In Luke 2 we read that the angel came to the shepherds saying
“Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” and then announced the birth of our “Saviour, Christ the Lord.”
This was not only good tidings of great joy to those shepherds, it was good tidings of great joy for all of us. This news should make us joyful in our journey.
My wish is for us each to remember our Savior this time of year as we celebrate His birth, but also, let us not forget Him when the season is over. He is our reason to rejoice and He is our reason to enjoy the journey here on earth.


I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ!





FYI - Click on this link to find a Christmas Devotional and many more short video clips about Christmas.


(images are a couple of my favorite pictures I display throughout the holidays.)

Chocolate!

Oh Yes, I am thankful for chocolate!
My favorite right now is this yummy stuff from Costco



and there are so many other yummy chocolate things ... and they keep showing up around this time of year ... yummy indeed!

Comfy Furniture!

I love comfy furniture - so glad to have some!
No photo ... sorry! Too many other things to do today!
Have a good one!