What do you think?

This picture from our Bear Lake reunion with the Byers this summer really lets our true personalities shine through, dontcha think? I pondered using it for our Christmas card picture, but I just couldn't do it. So I share it with the cyber-world and remind us all to have a crazy fun time with our friends and families while we celebrate the holidays. This time of year would lack so much without them. Have a Merry (not harried) Christmas! (or alternate winter holiday of your choosing)

Boom Boom Bells

Here's a little something for Christmas from my kids and our friends the Packers. They call these tubes "Boom Whackers." Music and violence all in one -- what could be better?

What's Wrong With this Picture?

Thank you Wal-mart for making my season picture perfect with this
darling little nativity...well almost. Does anyone else notice a
horrific figure in the back? It is none other than the headless
wiseman! He came in the box that way but it just doesn't seem worth it
to me to trek back to the store to return a $7 nativity set, time is
too precious these days. So there he sits on my mantle to teach us a
profound lesson. The lesson that...uh...we shouldn't lose our heads at
Christmas. Yes! That's it! So happy to share my wisdom. Ren would
certainly say the lesson is never, EVER shop at Wal-mart. Well, what
does he know?

I'm Beginning to Feel It

I wanted to make this Christmas different. I wanted to remember the magic and the sweet spirit I've felt before. I didn't want it to be me in a frenzy, over-analyzing and stressing about buying all the right gifts for the eight other people in my house. I wanted to feel the joy of serving my neighbors, loving my family and remembering God's gift of his son, Jesus Christ.
So I called a family council and we planned our Christmas season that it might unfold with a purpose. We planned fun family activities, service projects, and quiet moments to listen to Christmas stories and read scriptures about our Savior. Each night, whoever is home, gathers in the family room and we light two red candles. We read sweet stories of service and love that paint a picture of the Christmas spirit in action. We sing Christmas carols (the other night 4 year-old Gid asked, "Why are we all sitting here singing?") and we invite the Christmas spirit to be here. And I'm finally beginning to feel it.

While it seems to be a wonderful start, now I'm thinking about the concept of giving gifts to Jesus. When we give each other presents, it is symbolic of those gifts given by three wise men so long ago or even more importantly the gift of God, given in His son. But there still seems something lacking in that sentiment. I still hear my kids listing and revising all the things they hope to get. Gid cries every morning because he just can't wait to for Christmas to come so he can get his Star Wars action figures. Something inside me says I must teach my children a deeper meaning in the giving, but how?

This morning, while watching Christmas messages on LDS.org I found a video that struck home for me. It warmed my heart and provided the answer I was looking for. I guess I should have realized all along that my handbook for life (the scriptures) would hold the key.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

I know we won't be perfect, but remembering this scripture will help.

Merry Christmas everyone.