Christmas Morning 2009

We had a really great Christmas this year. It was fun to have both of the kids really looking forward to Santa and be able to understand a little about the true meaning of Christmas. Tom finally got his Wii, and for the first time we were able to participate as a family in dropping off the Sub for Santa gifts on Christmas Eve. Now that was a joyful, humbling, experience and I'm grateful I decided to go along with Tom and the kids.

One of my favorite moments that happened during the month of December came during a family night when we watched "The Nativity" and had a short testimony bearing of Christ and his mission here on earth. After listening very attentively to the lesson, Savannah spoke up and asked, "Umm....did Heavenly Father know that Joseph and Mary had Jesus?" It was a very sweet moment and as I choked back my hormonal pregnancy tears I told her that "YES! He sent Jesus here for US because he loves us so much!" Just like Heavenly Father sent her, and Benjamin, and our new baby to us.

You know, it's so easy during the Christmas season to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle and holiday commotion. Between the shopping, and the parties, and the decorating, and the stress, because yes it can be stressful, I think it is easy to forget to stop and listen and feel for the true spirit of Christmas. I know that as I get older, the harder it is for me to feel the Christmas spirit and it makes me sad. But I also know that it IS there! It just takes a few moments to quiet our minds and put our focus on what really matters and we will be able to feel it. I'm so grateful I did this year. And I'm pretty sure my kids did too.