Idaho hair

I am considering taking random pics of interesting hairdo's (or hair "don't"s) that I see here in Idaho and making a blog all about Idaho hair. You might not think that I would have much material for such a blog, but I beg to differ. Exhibit A:

Oh yes, there will be more pics to come!

Da Kids

Just a couple pics of the kids. Gotta love 'em!

Christmas Day!

What did Santa bring me???
Can I open my presents now? PLEASE!!!
Boy this present opening sure is tiring.

All the little cousins sitting at the kid table for Christmas dinner - YUM!

Perspective

As I am busy packing my life away readying for our move in one week, I decided it was time to put a few things into perspective. I am a follower of Stephenie Nielson's blog aka "Nie Nie Dialogues". She is a remarkable woman who was in a plane crash last year that burned over half of her body and face. In her most recent blog she explains how last year at this time she was lying in a hospital, not enjoying the holiday one bit. Ok, so I am super stressed with this move, but at least I am physically well. At least my children and hubby are healthy. At least I get to enjoy this Christmas with all of them as well as extended family. I know it is totally cliche to say this, but at least we have our health. I am going to try to put things into perspective more often!http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Bah Humbug!

Okay, so the truth is that with the stress of moving this year I really didn't want to celebrate the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT thrilled about this new attitude on my part. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday, with Thanksgiving at a close second. I have just felt lately that with the stress of moving, settling, and getting adjusted to a new place there simply wasn't time for Christmas.

Then, as I sat down on the couch with Sophie this morning a thought came to me. Perhaps there isn't time for the commercialism of Christmas...for tv ads, black Friday, cyber Monday or doorbuster deals. But there is ALWAYS time for Christ, and for this sole reason I am putting Christmas back on my agenda. I realized that the true reason I enjoy Christmas so much is because of the peace I feel in celebrating the birth of our Savior, and the fact that there are people worldwide celebrating as well.

And so, I will put up the artificial tree tomorrow even though it means taking it down again in 3 weeks. I will take out the advent calendar and watch as the children excitedly count down the days until Christmas. I will get out my Bible and read the story of the birth of Christ in Luke, and be in awe of all of the struggles that Mary and Joseph had to overcome in order to get Him here. For perhaps the first time in my life I will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and strive to serve others more than myself.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!