Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was quite miraculous as have been the last few months. When Shelby quit his job and became a full time student, I wondered how we would make ends meet. The math did not work out. The incoming would be much less than the outgoing. Much, much less. And somehow all the bills have been paid and food has filled the pantry. I was amazed at how money came in just when we needed it and we haven't had to touch our savings.

At the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, President Uchtdorf spoke of his most humble Christmases being his most memorable and so I didn't really worry about Christmas. Brian and Tiffany were coming down and my uncle from Florida. Christmas would be good.

We read the scriptures everyday. The Friend (Children's Church magazine)had different scriptures to read for everyday starting Dec. 1st to the 25th. Little did I know they started with the prophecies of Isaiah of Christ's birth through the Savior's life and death and beyond. It was a wonderful way to focus on the Savior this Christmas as a family. And so all month we were focused on what was most important and so the things that are not so important but are fun ( you know... the presents) took care of themselves and our children were able to have a spiritual and fun Christmas.

We were able to teach them of Heavenly Father's love for us.

Of the blessings of tithing.

Of reading our scriptures.

Of Prayer.

And with that... Here's Brian in his stylin' jacket we got him.

And Tiffany with her book and pearls.
And so the funniest part of Christmas. My mom had bought the boys a Wii, but she does not come over with her gifts until later in the morning. Well we had gotten them Rock Band. We always wait for things to get cheaper and they have been wanting it forever. So they come out Christmas morning and see Rock Band and are so excited after realizing its for them...Tiffany and Brian totally pretended like it was for them and the boys are so sweet and naive, they believed it for a minute. Well... then they saw it was for a Wii and I said I guess we'll have to go exchange it.
Jacob: Can you do it today?
Me: Well... no, everything is closed, its Christmas.
Jacob was dissappointed but so sweet about it. They then unwrapped another gift to both of them and it was a lego Star Wars game for Wii. This time I had to apologize and Shelby acted like he thought all the game systems were the same and didn't it work for the PS2. They truely believed their dad didn't know. HA!! A little while later nana arrives and they open their gift from her and start jumping around yelling we got a Wii!!!!! They were genuinely surprised. And relieved they didn't have to wait until the next day to play with their Christmas toys.
They also got books and clothes, but I think Rock Band was a hit with everyone. The whole family got to take turns playing.

And Shelby got me a new bag for school. I needed one desperately that I could use to carry lots of stuff while riding my bike and he delivered like he always does!! That bag is seriously deceiving. It is HUGE inside and totally cool and functional. I am so excited to use it!


Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!

More to come:

Utah

and I guess I've been tagged...again

Thanks Eliza!

I don't normally do them because basically I can be a flake when it comes to things that are not necessary, but I'm really gonna try to do this one, just for you Eliza.