Oh Christmas Tree

I love this time of year.  There is always so much stress to please everyone.  But there is so much joy that comes from it too.  Even the most simple things bring me joy this time of year.  Like a Christmas tree with lights.  When it's snowing outside, I like to cuddle with a blanket and turn off all the lights other than the Christmas tree.  And just enjoy it.  It can be so fun to read Christmas stories to Lydia. Or rather, right now she is playing with her toy Nativity set.  And though she doesn't completely understand, I hope that I can set an example and have her understand the true meaning.  That as wonderful as giving and receiving gifts can and is.  That that is not what Christmas is all about.  They sure aren't kidding when they say that Christmas is 100 times better with kids.  It's so much more fun.

If you are wondering what I believe the Christmas season means to me, below is a video attachment that can explain it hopefully a little more than I can.

I hope you enjoy it.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope your families are well and that you have safe travels.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas

How grateful am I.

I usually don't like to write(especially where others can read) about certain things. In particular, my testimony of Jesus Christ.  But as I have been studying the Restoration of his church this last few weeks studying has struck me.  My heart breaks, for the early pioneers.  For the early saints, and the sacrifices that they went through. I honestly cannot imagine living when they did.  I cannot imagine having to go through half of the trials that anyone living during that period of time had to deal with, let alone the persecutions that they had to suffer through. I don't write or tell my testimony often because I am so afraid of someone bashing something so dear to my heart.  

I really want to talk about Hyrum Smith.  He is quite possibly one of my favorite people.  It doesn't help that I love the name.  If I ever have a son, I hope that I can name him Hyrum. Now, I love and truly believe Joseph Smith saw what he did. And I admire him greatly. But Hyrum.  I think how his love must have been for his brother to follow him.  I am sure that there may have been moments of doubts. And if he did, I would not judge him. For the whole Smith family, how strong they must have all been. And how wonderful of a family.  I mean Hyrum (to me) literally died for his brother. He as well as Joseph, died for us. Thinking that it was just Hyrum and Joseph that were wanted they went to Carthage jail, knowing they wouldn't come back.  While I reading this portion in D&C the other night, I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried.  I didn't even try to stop the tears from coming.  Their families, the love that they had for each other.  And all that they did so that we could know all the truths of Jesus Christ.  I will never be able to thank them for what they have gone through for us.  And I hope that I can be a little more like Hyrum, and stand by my family to the death.  To be such a person that would fight to save their life if needed.  

If you want to learn more about what I believe, or read more about Joseph and Hyrum's story, I invite you to visit https://www.mormon.org/ and request a free book about my beliefs herehttps://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

SMM assignment

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Blog post.  

 You can see that there is blog post right below this post.  I have decided to do it this route since it doesn't seem to be working from my word document.  

Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Baby girl!

Last Thursday, as many people were hurrying to make sure that they were on schedule with a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, our day was a little different.  We didn't skip Thanksgiving.  In fact we attended two dinners.  We woke up, with smiling faces, and sang Happy Birthday! And for the most part, we did what she wanted all day!  Two!  How is my baby 2?  It feels like it was just yesterday that I was driving to the hospital to deliver her. I remember that day like it was happening right now...

It was two days before Thanksgiving, which fell of my birthday that year!  I had been having hard contractions pretty steady, on and off but still steady for the last week.  I knew she wouldn't come on her due date.  I kinda figured it would be payback for me being two weeks late from my due date.  My mom always told me it was killer for her.  I knew that I was doing this alone.  And I was scared, nervous, but so excited.  I was so worried something would go wrong. I was worried that my parents, being divorced, being in the same room would have issues.  But none of that happened.  I was so worried something was going to go wrong.  It didn't.  It was wonderful. And now she's two.  And I'm going to stop writing because I'm crying happy tears and it's getting hard to see.  Can't wait to see how she grows and what she learns in the year to come.  I love to watch her and see the wonderful little person she is becoming. I am her biggest fan.  And wouldn't change having her for the world.