T is for...

TREES!

It's true, I have three;
(I am a Christmas geek)
and just like my kids
their all so unique.
My living room tree
is white head to toe
it sparkles and glistens
with snowflakes aglow.

It's not so traditional,
it's a one of a kind;
but I love that it's different,
my clearance tree find!

It's just like my Chelsea
(who's also very white)
she lights up a room
she's bubbly and bright.

And yes, she is different,
but in a good way,
she's a whole lotta fun
and she still loves play.

My downstairs tree
filled with angels galore,
awaits Santa's arrival
and presents implore.

It's a nice sturdy tree,
(it has yet to fall down)
and it brightens the corner
and sheds light all around.
Much like my Kayla,
my angel on earth,
she's brightened my life
since the day of her birth.

She has a tender heart
and is such a selfless soul,
when she's gone for awhile
it leaves such a hole.

And last but not least,
my fun kitchen tree,
it's just a little thing
but as cute as can be.

It gives me such joy
as I'm preparing the meals,
it makes homemaking easier,
gives my cooking appeal.

My sweet little boy,
whose growing too fast,
is the spice of my life
he makes living a blast.

He's the star on the top,
the presents beneath,
the lights that twinkle,
the holiday wreath.

In short he's the one
that keeps Christmas exciting,
wish he'd always stay young,
Christmas spirit inviting.

But I know though my trees
may be frozen in time,
no chance they'll grow bigger
or diminish their prime.

And all I can wish for
as the years go by,
that grandbabies will come
and new excitement supply.

S is for...

SANTA!

Santa! I know him...
that jolly old elf,
his name brings a smile,
I can't help myself.

My memories are fond
of the night he appeared
with his bag full of toys
and his red suit and beard.

I climbed on his lap,
I jingled his bells,
we sang a few songs
and he stayed for a spell.

He emptied his bag,
we didn't make a fuss,
we stood by in awe,
all those toys just for us!

Now some people say
that the holiday season
should be had without Santa,
for he's not the real reason.

But I'm here to say
that he made an impression
on a four year girl
who now has a mission.

I love to be Santa
and spread cheer of my own;
to give hope to the down-cast
and those all alone.

For I know that our Savior
can't be here to give aid,
that's why He has helpers,
his little Santa brigade.

So don't knock old Santa,
he's the Spirit of Giving;
He brings joy to all ages,
and makes winter worth living!

I is for...

INFANT

The baby in a manger lay,
the shepards watched afar;
the wise men from the east did come
while guided by the star.


The night before his birth took place
his voice came to another;
"...on the morrow come I into the world"
He came, our loving brother.

I wonder, did He know that night?
Was the veil of heaven parted?
Did he know right away his path in life,
that His work on earth had started?

Or was this infant born like us
to find His purpose on earth;
did He know as a child his mission,
did He feel of His great worth?

Some answers I might never know,
but of this I know for sure;
that Mary's love for her little babe
was a love like God's, so pure.

R is for...

RED & RUDOLPH

The Christmas colors, red and green,
are such a pretty pair;
I love to adorn my house with them,
it adds a festive flare.

Rudolph has a nose so red
at night it lights the sky;
When clouds are thick and all looks lost
he leads them when they fly.

Now don't tell the kids, but Rudolphs been shot,
Tary threatens to shoot every year;
He's in our living room, red nose and all,
the poor little skeleton deer.

I'm kidding, you see, we just like to pretend
for how else could I let such a sight
stay in the same room with Christmas galore
if I didn't think he had every right.

He's not been disgraced, his dignity stays,
a little tinsel is not a big crime;
we just used our resources to disguise the truth
the elk is our reindeer part-time.

H is for...

HAPPY!

"Happy Holidays" to you
Is the political thing to say;
"Happy Kwanza"..."Happy Hanukah"
However you celebrate the day.

In England they say "Happy Christmas"
I wonder if Dickens is to blame;
But wherever you are, however it's said,
I hope it's a good one just the same!

A "Happy" Day happened 22 years ago,
my first little girl was born;
not in a stable, no manger for her
But a miracle for me to adorn.

And so it continues, this cycle of life
in each little babe sent to earth;
no need to be fearful, no need for tears,
He sends us his miracles through birth.

And each one is special, just like the Christ child
with a purpose to come down and fulfill;
I pray that we'll come to know Him, our Savior
and our lives to reflect of His will.P.S.

My rhythm is off, I know;
my rhyming, a little slow.
I'm functioning half speed,
with cold medicine I need.

I'm drowsy, I'm drippy,
my nose is all red;
all I want to do is
climb back into bed.

But I won't, cuz I can't...
I'm not in habit to complain
just thought an explanation was needed
cuz this post is really lame.

I hope everyone has a HAPPY day!
Chelsea, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love ya!

C is for...

CANDY!

It's candy day
that yummy tradition,
we invade Wendy's house
and mess up her kitchen.

We dress in our aprons,
(now don't they look cute)
we're ready for action;
a chocolate pursuit.

We stir and slow boil
so carmels don't burn;
with brittle however
we haven't quite learned.

10 pounds of chocolate
you'd think was enough,
but we ran out while dipping,
had to use the cheap stuff.

Chocolates chips don't melt
the way we expect,
and some poor little turtles
have some slight birth defects.

Toffees and truffles,
popcorn and fudge,
chocolates and nut rolls,
my weight shall not budge.

I'll stick to one piece
of candy per day;
at that rate I'll have it
eaten by May.

Unless my family
finds where it's hid,
then I won't have to worry
of pounds to get rid.

C is for calories,
consumed more at this time;
but I say heck, once a year
it's not such a crime.

My Blessings.

I've had a hard time finding time to blog lately, tis the season I suppose, but I didn't want to let the Thanksgiving season get away from me without giving turkey day the credit it deserves. Poor little holiday, it kinda gets lost between Halloween and Christmas, just stuck in the middle like the white fluff in an oreo, but we all know that's the best part. And the Christmas season just wouldn't be the same if it didn't have Thanksgiving to preceed it. Afterall, the thing I'm most thankful for is...
wait. I'm getting ahead of myself here, let me just back up a minute.

This is my 3rd attempt at writing my Thanksgiving blog. My first started as a list as to all the things I was thankful for, but it sounded so, I don't know, routine. Kinda like the dinner prayer. We're all thankful for the same things. Family, friends, a home, good health, blah blah blah. Not that those things aren't important, they all are, and I'm thankful for everything and everyone in my life. It was just kinda boring, and I have such few readers as it is, I didn't want to lose anyone on blessing #137, the heater that comes on that I occasionally sit on and hog up all the heat when my toes are cold.
So then I attempted to write a silly little poem about my blessings. But got hung up trying to rhyme words with "husband" and "basement" and "family", and I didn't think "shunned" and "replacement" and "absentee" would go over too well with the point I was trying to make.
But then something happened yesterday that gave me a whole new perspective about my blessings. I was fortunate to attend the musical production of "The Savior of the World" with a few of the priests and laurels in the stake. It was a beautiful story that told of the events that led up to the Saviors birth, and the events following his death. The spirit was so strong, and the feeling was one where you wished you could bottle it up and take it out into the world with you. It made me wonder why I don't seek out more opportunities to feel the spirit. Why don't I attend the temple more, why don't I study my scriptures and pray more diligently. Why don't I feel all warm and fuzzy all the time? The feeling lasted for a good 30 minutes, till I came home and had to worry about what to make for dinner, and why did Max Hall throw that pass, and why is my laundry basket overflowing again after only 2 days?
But I put on my happy face, went to the market to buy something for dinner, closed my eyes as I walked past the laundry heap, and cheered with the other shoppers as they announced BYU won the game in overtime over the loud speakers. I came home and turned on my merry christmas music while I prepared french dip sandwiches for the family, and as Donny Osmond sang about Mary, "did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb, the sleeping child your holding is the great I Am", those feelings I had felt earlier came back with such force, that I realized, that it doesn't matter how long my list of "Things I'm Grateful For" is, without the Savior, none of those things would even be there. My eternal family, the comforts of my home, the food I eat, the clothes I wear, the very air I breathe, wouldn't exsist if it weren't for the Savior. He created this beautiful world and every bounteous blessing that we receive from this earth comes from Him. He sent me to a wonderful family to be raised by loving parents and wonderful siblings to help me on my journey. He guided me to my wonderful husband and sent me 3 wonderful, beautiful children to help me progress like Him. He took upon himself my sins, my sorrows, my pains, so He could comfort me when sad, hold me when I ache, and save me from my mistakes. He did all that for me, and you, so we could someday be with Him again, and with our families, forever. I am so Thankful for my Savior. I love Him, I want to be like Him. I'm trying, but sometimes, ok, alot of the time, I fall short of the mark. But I know He loves me anyway, and doesn't want me to give up trying.
See, this is why Thanksgiving is so important. If for nothing else, to remind me that all blessings come from Him. And now we get to celebrate His birth and thank Him for all that's he's done for us, by giving back to Him, by giving of ourselves to others.

P.S., in case your wondering what #2 on my most thankful for list is...take a look!



My new storage room is finished! (I love my husband)

#138 on my list is PIE!





Unless it's Pecan Pie, then it's up there in my top 10!