Christmas Day 2010

 What a Wonderful Christmas! We have been so blessed this year, and especially this Christmas season.  We have been so blessed to have some secret "Covert Elves"...I was wondering what the word Covert meant so I looked it up in the dictionary here is the meaning: Not openly acknowledged or displayed, secret, hidden  Anyway these special elves made Christmas so memorable this year.  It was like they were messengers from God, they were our angels of mercy.  One day I needed eggs and didn't have enough money to buy them, what do you know...That night our elves brought eggs, bacon, sausage, bread and the knowledge that our heavenly father knows each of us, he knows our needs and is there to succor his children!  I hadn't told a single soul that we were out of eggs, so it really was a Christmas miracle!  Another night they brought candy, and treats, but also they brought popcorn and Wheat Thins.  This may not touch you, but for me it was a reminder on how much thought was put into each day.  You see, I have been so good not to eat sugar.  And the candy and treats were something that I passed up, but the box of Wheat Thins and popcorn was meant for me!  Another day we were given a simple wooden Christmas tree, holding 8 ornaments.  Each of the ornaments were made of money.  There were $5 dollar bills folded by origami, into a shape of a star.  The cash on the tree totaled $200!  
Because of the kindness and generosity of others, It made us want to be more kind and loving to one another and to those we met along the way.    The kids are all past the age of innocence and so it was great to be able to focus...I mean really focus on Christ this year.  We sat down for Family Home Evening a week before Christmas and thought of something we could give the Christ for Chrismas this year.  Some of the replies were....I will read my scriptures daily, I will read the Church Magazines from cover to cover, I will prepare for my mission, and give up some video game time to study.  The ironic thing is....That night we read Weston's letter to the family, and he asked what are we willing to give the baby Jesus this year? it was so great that even thousands of miles away we as a family had the same idea!  and were able to really think and take inventory of our life so that we can turn our focus to him!   
We started the Christmas morning off by watching the movie the "Testaments"  Then we opened our gifts.  We had a much smaller Christmas than we usually do, but you know what...It was perfect!  When you are around those you love, nothing else matters.  We had some very special people that helped make our Christmas a great one, and I thank you for your help.  I am excited to try out my new exercise DVD's and I got a beautiful digital Picture frame! I also got a sweater and some home made dish cloths. Tim got a drill (cause his broke), some cologne and a shirt and new garments.  

Mike got Mission stuff, He got his luggage, a bathrobe that was monogrammed with his name, a shaving kit with toiletries, White shirt, tie and pair of Levi's, handkerchiefs for his mission, and cologn.

  Zachary got a pair levi's, a Arepostal shirt, some cologne, a flashlight, a Ipod holder for his car and a radio for his truck. 

Aubrie got a beautiful purse, a headband, socks, Clogging Shoes, 3 Arepostal shirts, comfy slippers, sketch pad, lotion and smelly body wash, and the game trouble.

  Each of the kids got a letter from Weston that was wrapped with a gift.  The boys got scripture marking pens, and Aubrie got a earing and necklace set.  Tim and I also got a wonderful letter from Weston....I guess we were good parents after all!  WE had a wonderful Christmas party with my family a few nights before and it was so wonderful, not only to spend time with family, but also to sing christmas songs again as a family.  I think the most important thing about Christmas is Family!  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people on my family tree and am so rich because of thier love in my life.  I love the line in the "Grinch Stole Christmas" that sums it all up...

 But the sound wasn't sad!

Why, this sound sounded merry!

It couldn't be so!

But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Who-ville!

The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook!

What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,

Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!

IT CAME!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?

It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

(c) ~Dr Seuss