Merry Christmas!!!

Last year

This Year

We're off to the DiSnEyLaNd with the family! Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

True meaning

Just a couple thoughts. I love Christmas. I wish we could always have Christmas. We get the opportunity to befriend neighbors we never see, we tend to give a few dollars to the Salvation Army at the grocery store, and we get an excuse to spoil our kids and husbands.

But, I've been thinking sometimes all of the good things we do, add more stress than needed on such a simple and beautiful holiday. I can't imagine the stress of buying presents for kids who actually have expectations. My little miss has no idea what's going on and yet somehow this year has been a little stressful trying to find the "perfect" gifts for her.

Today in church I was talking to the kids about how the shepherds and wise men would have approached baby Jesus. (I was trying to get them to stop jumping around and be reverent.) So, I told them to kneel down on the floor and sing Away In A Manger to their little "babies".

It really made me think. I love all of the Santa, Christmas trees, snowman, lights, baking, stockings, presents, and decorations. But how often do I remember what a sacred day this is to commemorate the birth of my Savior. I hope that we can all find a way to feel the absolute reverence of Christmas, me especially included. Whether it's in the smiles of family members or prayers answered, I hope we can feel the true miracle that is Jesus Christ.

What does Santa say?

"Ho, Ho, Ho!"

Mommy garbage disposal

The other night we were eating dinner and Livs was done with dinner so she spite out the last bite I gave her. This is nothing new. However, before I knew what I was doing I put the tiny piece of spite-out-food into my mouth! YEEEEEEWWW! What has happened to me? I didn't even notice and Lincoln had to point out how bird-like that was. Gross.

Sadly, this is not a one time occurrence. If we're out in public and there's no garbage in site....yup those soggy Cheerios hop on into my portable vacuum mouth.

Again, gross. Sorry if this is too much information and you are gagging right now. But I have a feeling the vacuum-syndrome is just another result of the beauty of mommy-hood. Hopefully now that I'm aware of it, I can bring a little ziplock bag to hold the unwanted food and it won't end up in my mouth.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Ketch-up...

So it's been a while. Ooops. We just got back from a whirl-wind vacation starting with a weekend in Utah for my cuz's wedding and then an Arizona Thanksgiving. We had so much fun seeing family, seeing old friends, and watching a TON of football games that never went our way.

We were able to go to the zoo and see horses that live close to my in-laws. Livvy loved seeing her aunties and uncles. She actually did really well throughout the trip and slept like a champion.

Most of the airplane rides were A-OK mostly because I had my mom, brother-in-law, or Lincoln with me each leg. However, 10 minutes before landing in OAK, after 3 hours (and one stop...AHHH why did I book this flight!) Livvy decided to wet through her diaper onto my lap. No beuno. Thankfully we had the BEST chauffeur (my pops) to pick us up drive us home and get us pizza. Wet pants didn't seem to be that big of a deal anymore.

Now we're back to the old grind and MAN I'm feeling stressed out about Christmas! I LOVE it, but holy cow so much to do and it's already December! But can I just say laundry, mopping, and kitchen cleaning is SO MUCH more fun with my Pandora Christmas music blasting.

Merry Christmasing! (I still have yet to pull out any decorations besides my Christmas place mats...hopefully you've been better than me!)