Merry Christmas Baby Boy!!

Kissin' Our ABC Ornaments

I love the Spake & Take rule!! This idea was on NoTimeforFlashCards.

She is so simple and so fun! A was bummed that he didn't get to help decorate the tree. He decided to do his homework that day. So, J and I made him some ornaments to put up!!

Highlights of a St. Louis Christmas

Wii Sing It!
Bon Qui Qui
Sugar & Sweets
Sake
Being IN-FRONT of Andy in that 7 points Basket Ball game, WRONG!
Merrill being hilarious
Stupid chapped lips and loosing chapstick like its going out of style
Girl Talks
Finally Getting our Wedding Cake Top- YIKES!
Finding out I was Food Picky
Nieces and Nephew Memories
Having TOO many opinions (sorry!)
The Comfiest personal guest bedroom ever!
A week off, and a great VACATION!

I-Spy Christmas Card!

Merry Christmas!!

This is just a few things that happened to us in 2008!


A
 WATCH -A year full of waiting and tons of lessons in patience.
 MOVING TRUCK- Our trip from UT to MS was exciting, long, and memorable.
 SPANISH DICTIONARY -Yes! He picked a major!
 CALAHIST - Landscaping job & the worlds worse case of poison ivy
 THE BROTHERS (BOOK) - Favorite Reads were “The Great and Terrible” 1 & 2.
 COAST GUARD LOGO - Still applying for the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative. Keep your fingers crossed!

Gloria
 DESK SIGN -The best student teaching experience & a less than frequent substitute. (my heart).
 MOUSE -Blog crazy! Follow my blog!
 DIAPER -The greatest S.I.L. reunion/ baby shower!
 GRADUATION CAP -She’s a college graduate!
 TWILIGHT (BOOK) -This saga sparked a new habit & hobby in reading!
 AWARENESS RIBBON - Breast Cancer attacked our loved one. “Check Your Boobies!”
 CRAYONS - Nursery Leader

J
 IT’S A BOY BEAR - J's arrival
 SOOTHIE PACIFIER - Our favorite thing!
 DUCKIE - Loves bath time most.
 BOWL -Will & wants to eat anything and everything! He’s not starved, that’s for sure.
 TOOTHBRUSH-Two sparkly shiny new teeth
 SCALE -You just wanna squeeze him! Almost 20 lbs, our rolly polly boy!
 PONY-This is Carter, his nighttime buddy! Sleeps 8 hours without waking, a HUGE improvement.

I Believe in Santa!

Even in my childhood years I never understood why I should believe in Santa. I didn't get who he was and what the purpose was, other than reindeer and getting presents. I did go along with it and I don't remember why but I just stopped believing in the "story". When I got older a friend told me when she has kids she is not going to lie to her kids about Santa. I never thought I would do the same but from then on I had the feeling like Santa was a make believe character, like the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. (maybe I haven't understood them yet). But Santa... Santa is real!

My sweet smart husband believes in Santa and he explained to me who he is. Santa is the spirit of giving.  As I have grown more and become closer to the church I ponder often about spirits and the Holy Ghost. I have to do this so I can receive the revelation & direction I so desperately need. So, when Adam said this to me it made perfect sense. Santa is very real! He is the image of a man so selfless that he spends everyday making gifts and presents for all of God's children. He truly forgets about himself and desires to serve his brothers and sisters. He watches over us and hopes and most likely prays that we are behaving ourselves and "being good". He wants to bless us for obeying and is sad when he cannot give us the gifts he would like when we sin.

There is a lot more I can learn and compare to the gospel. When I do I think about my Savior. The wise men knew to bring gifts to the baby Jesus to show their love, and devotion They believed. This jolly old wise man gives gifts, he gives back and follows the example set by Christ. The man who is so selfless, he knew the plan, and gave his life so we can receive blessings when we obey. This year.. I do believe in Santa. I BELIEVE IN SANTA, he is the spirit of giving and we should indeed follow his great example!