The Greatest Gift

I can't even begin to explain the impact that mamma's last gift has had on me this year. I made a couple shelves on by bookcase and they are helping me get through each day without her.

Every time I look at these shelves, every time I see this statue of Christ I think of my sweet mamma. I think of her testimony. I think of her love. I think of all the people she served. I think of how Christlike she truly was. I cherish this gift more than anything I've ever received. I know mamma was inspired this year to get this statue for us. I know that she knew that we would need it. I know that it is a tender mercy for me.

I know that God is aware. I know that He will not leave us comfortless. I know that my Savior is walking with me and that he carries me on the hardest days.

Thank you mamma! Thank you for the Greatest Gift, your example! I love you more!!

Merry Christmas

Yes, a lot has happened since September, and one day I will catch up and update everything so I don't forgot....but for now, Merry Christmas from our family!

Christmas Celebrations

We started out the weekend before Christmas delivering food and presents for an organization called Staff of Life that helps families in need for the holidays. It was a great experience and one that we hope we can continue. We were happy to help deliver some holiday cheer to a few families in the area. {they delivered to 75 families total}.

Sunday, we took our traditional "Sunday Christmas Picture"....I have lots of traditional pictures. ;)

We decided to have our "fancy" Christmas dinner on Sunday night because Tanner had to go to the mall on Monday with his choir and we are going to the Saatkamps for Christmas Eve. We had all of our favorite foods....steak, shrimp {3 kinds}, crab salad, pistachio jello, fresh green beans and baked potatoes....although it was a little too much, we didn't even open the potatoes because we were all so full.

I didn't have to work Monday {mostly because Mike was out of town}, I spent the WHOLE day baking! I made 4 dozen rolls, cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, cranberry/orange bars, molasses cookies, red jello, white chocolate cinnamon popcorn and white chocolate covered pretzels. I was EXHAUSTED by the time Jason got home!

When Jason came home from work he wasn't feeling great, we had to pick up Tanner at the mall that evening and on the way down to pick him up, Jason started feeling worse and worse. {we were pretty sure he had a kidney stone and it came on pretty suddenly}...we came home and he rolled around in pain for several hours. He took some pain meds and tried to get some sleep....he spent much of the next day asleep trying to pass the stone. {poor guy}. He did finally pass it on the day after Christmas.

We did go to the Saatkamps for dinner on Christmas Eve {Jason was on pain meds and was a little loopy, he ended up sleeping most of the time}. We did have a good time and love spending time with our "adopted" family.

I had decided to make some cute vinyl ornaments....but I had to paint them all and then weed all the vinyl {that's the part when you pull off the negative pieces of vinyl}...yeah, well, I decided to make 50 stars....that's a LOT of weeding, but they turned out SO cute!!

After our Christmas Eve at the Saatkamps we came home and opened our PJ's {Jason just wanted to relax and go to bed}. Tanner was content to open one present and then we tried to settle down and all go to bed.

We finally got to bed about 11:30pm and hoped that Tanner wouldn't get us up TOO early....but alas, he is used to waking up early and got up at 5:30am...we had warned him that he couldn't wake us up before 6am, but somehow we were already both awake and he thought since we were all up we might as well open the presents. ;) We told him to just to open his stocking....but he didn't think that was a good plan. We finally gave in and let him open everything!

Tanner got a Playstation 4 {he helped pay for half of it} and a few games. He was in HEAVEN!!!

We got some movies and blue rays {because the PS4 plays blue rays}.

Jason got a new watch, clothes, some Texas Longhorns stuff, and some camping gear. I got a heart rate monitor, some clothes, scarves, some baking stuff and new running shoes. We all got pretty spoiled!!

We are so grateful for our wonderful friends and family. We had a great Christmas and feel so very blessed. We are so grateful for the baby born in the manger so long ago and for the opportunity we have each year to celebrate His birth.

Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Chicago!!

We want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Ward Christmas Party

Our ward Christmas party was last night. I was asked to help with the "Santa Pictures". I decided I would need a distraction to try to get the kids to look at me for the pictures so I wore this cute blinking nose {which REALLY hurt my nose} and these antlers. They all really loved it!

The kids did great and we got some awesome pictures. This is one of my favorites....he is only 9 days old.

The decorations were simple, but beautiful. The paper on the tables and crayons were a HUGE hit...the kids and the adults loved coloring with them and it was a great distraction.

This big candy cane was cut out of an old door and painted....SO cute!

We had a great dinner and awesome desserts.

Then we had a short musical program. The bishopric and a few other small groups sang. We ended with the Primary children singing Silent Night. It was so sweet and the perfect ending to a fun night with our ward family.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

I LOVE decorating for Christmas, it's one of my favorite things....but it is SO much work....every year  I wonder why I keep doing it all, but when I get it all done and it's so pretty and twinkly I remember why I love it so much! Nothing is new this year, the only think I bought were a few more picks for the top of the tree. {which aren't even in these pictures}.

My boys were pretty helpful...for a few minutes....they are great at getting out all the boxes and carrying them upstairs for me....but the prefer to NOT do the actual decorating! {the do put the tree together and fluff it for me}.

I LOVE this picture....I can't believe that was 15 years ago!

Here is the tree and everything else....LOVE it all!! {especially my candy cane stuff!}