Decked Halls

I took down all the Christmas decorations today. It's a heck of a lot more fun putting them up, that's for sure. I thought I'd post some pictures of what Christmas looks like around here 

^^ I have 6 of these ornaments that I bought in Russia, and they are my favorite Christmas decoration. I probably love them more than I should.

^^ The presents that looked like a 5-year-old wrapped them were done by me. Not my talent, and I'm okay with that.

^^ Fun with bokeh! 

Eli loved playing with this Little People nativity I bought. I can't wait until baby Jesus is more meaningful to him that a chew toy. Haha. ;)

^^ I keep this one up all year long.

^^ I've always loved this style of wreath, so this year I decided to make my own. All the clippings are from my yard, and I used this frame. It was so easy and I love how it turned out! Gonna have to make this a yearly tradition. 

Eli Thursday (and Merry Christmas!)

43 weeks

I think his favorite part of his first Christmas was the piles of wrapping paper. Silly little dude!

Merry Christmas!

I still can't believe there is less than a week left until Christmas. It always comes and goes too quickly! Although there are lots of traditions I probably won't get to this year, we did send out Christmas cards and ate all the cookies we were planning on giving away, so I'm calling it a success. 

Merry Christmas, all! 

Santa Baby

Eli met Santa today. It went something like this:

First, curiosity...

...then rejection.

Apparently he's not a fan. 

At least we got some terrific pictures out of the experience, eh? And to be honest, I might love these even more than a picture-perfect smiling face. I'm such a great mom... heh heh. ;)

Warm Fuzzies

Christmas is just a few days away... yippee! This has always been my favorite holiday. Everything about just makes me happy inside.

Unfortunately, it seems like there hasn't been enough "warm fuzzies" going around the interwebz lately. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be thinking about happy, Christmas-y, festive goodness than all the controversial topics that have become the focus the past couple weeks. Thus, here are some of the things that have been giving me the warm fuzzies recently, just in case you need something to get you in the Christmas spirit too. 

1. Dallin sung in our former ward today so I went as well. In that ward, there is a sweet boy who has Down's syndrome that was ordained a deacon not long before we were called to the Spanish branch. One of the duties of being a deacon is passing the sacrament, and it melts my heart to see one of his fellow deacons gently guiding him around the chapel with his arm over his shoulder so he can participate. It always makes me think of Christ and how he helps me handle things that I can't do alone. I love it.

2. This video. If this doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, you just might be the Grinch himself.

Life is so much better when you are kinder to people around you, whether you think you deserve it or not, and is there any better way to get in the spirit of Christmas than that? 

3. Ingrid Michaelson's version of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm." It's chock full of happiness. (I'm not sure how legit this website is, but you can listen to it here)

4. Baby boy's wild movements are becoming more recognizable, like maybe there is actually a baby in there instead of an octopus (whew!). It's starting to sink in that he is coming very soon, ready or not. I'm so excited. Whenever I think about this wee babe of mine and how blessed I feel to be pregnant (something I wasn't sure I would get to experience), I get overwhelmed with happiness. Life is so very good. I can't wait for next Christmas, when there will be three of us instead of two.

5. This, which might be my very favorite Christmas song.

I especially love these lines:

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us praise His holy name

I'm so thankful for my Savior. He means everything to me, and I owe all the happiness, hope, and peace in my life to him. Even though I know I could never repay him for what he does for me, I know I can at least try to help those around me and become a better person, and isn't that what this season is all about? (That, and cookies. Always cookies. The end.)

Have a merry little Christmas!