A Gift for baby Jesus

It's Christmas Eve and I was just getting ready to hop into bed, when I found myself drawn to pause and take in the peace and quiet of the moment. I was enjoying looking at all of the Christmas cards from friends, I peeked in on sleeping children, and thought of the importance of Christ in my life. I can honestly say that everyday that I live, every breath that I breathe, and every blessing that I am given comes from Him. Now as I think of what I am given, I ponder what I can give in return...
There is really nothing sufficient, but I do want to give my heart. I had a moment where my heart was touched once again by this little angel baby of mine. At our ward Christmas party, she headed to the corner of the gym where she spyed a little baby Jesus and was immediately in love. But what she did next brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart... She went to the little table where she had made her own little wooden baby Jesus wrapped in a little square of fabric, and brought it over to the baby Jesus. First, she showed him what she had made, then, she very carefully lifted his arm and tucked the little wooden baby into his hand! She was giving what she had to baby Jesus! It was so sweet and an example to me to look for the Savior in my life and then to share the things that are important to me with Him. I can give my heart and I can give my all, just like little Kambriella ;)

Kambriella's "Friends"

This is a picture of one of my very favorite Christmas decorations! (It's actually 2 little play nativity sets...one plastic and one porcelain...that's why you can see there are 2 baby Jesus!)
I love this little piece because 1) Yes, it is VERY cute! and 2) I have loved over the years watching each of my little ones play with it and spend time with the real reason we have Christmas!
Every year when we would get out the decorations and start pulling everything out, each of the kids would ask where "their" baby Jesus was? Well, this year has been another delight as Kambriella is now taking a turn playing with baby Jesus! But the sweetest part of all, is now that she has spent time with it everyday, she packs them all around the house and lines them all up in a row and then very carefully squishes them ALL into the stable to see baby Jesus! Then, if she moves on to another toy for a while, she will come back to me and say, "Mom, where's my 2 baby Jesus and my friends?" Then I will remind her of where she played with them last and she will run off giggling to find them and say, "Oh, I forgot!" I love how she calls them her friends!!! It's too cute!!!

Her little face just says it all! She smiles so big while she plays with her "friends!" I think she seems to be having just as much or more fun than when one of her real friends comes over to play! These simple little joys of Christmas are what really help me to feel the spirit of Christmas, and I am so happy that I get to spend every day having a little one on one time with Kambriella and her "friends!" I'm such a lucky mom...;)and oh how I love Christmas!!!

Kambriella gave me a good giggle!

Today Kambriella and I had a little conversation that just made me giggle! It was one of those moments that made my heart happy, my mouth smile, and my heartstrings tug ~ so I just HAD to write it down!!!
~Here's how it went...

Kambriella was rummaging through my church bag looking for a mint.
I said,
"Kambriella, don't get in there please, there are no mints left because you and Gavin ate them all, remember?"
Then Kambriella said,
"I don't need a mint mom, I need a gum..."
Then I said,
"I don't have any gum either Kambriella..."
Then she said,
"You need to buy some more gum, mom..."
Then I said,
"But I don't have any money for gum Kambriella..."
Then she said,
"Then you need to buy some more MONEY mom!"

Do you see what I mean? It made my day~ that cute little stinker!

Thankful AND Grateful...

Thanksgiving Day this year was yet another day where my heart was filled with so many emotions. As I looked around and literally tried to count my blessings, I found it once again impossible to do because the number is infinite...the list goes on and on...
So now I find myself being reminded that my gratitude needs to continue to come forth everyday and I need to be grateful for every moment that I am given.






It took some time this year, but I made personalized cards for everyone that would be there, expressing what it was that I loved about them and why I was grateful for them. Although it took a bit longer, the outcome was worth every minute. With circumstances in my family being what they were with my brothers recent passing, the words were tender and meant so much. Especially because just earlier that week, my other brother Craig had an accident and scared us all. Thank goodness he is OK, and though he was in a lot of pain, he came straight from the hospital to my house and was able to join us for Thanksgiving dinner.

Early Thanksgiving morning when I had gotten back from my morning run, Craig was still at the hospital and had called being very emotional. The pain was too much and he was still uncertain if he would be able to get out of the hospital for Thanksgiving. I hung up the phone and walked straight to my car and made it to the hospital in about 12 minutes I think. Looking lovely in my running attire ~ he thanked me for coming so quickly~ I smiled and winked and said, "I ran all the way here!";) Those quiet moments at the hospital with him that morning were some of my favorites of Thanksgiving Day. Then with his strong will and determination, he made it to my house with the OK from the Dr. where we made him a comfy bed on the couch, and the kids fussed over keeping him comfortable and happy ~ playing checkers, filling up his cup with coke, and taking turns hugging him and making him laugh. Those were some of the best moments ~along with watching the kids laugh at our hideous hair do's from our home videos of when I was little! The day was simple, the food was delicious, but the spirit of love and of family was there in abundance as we were all thankful AND grateful to just be together.