Yesterday morning I was really struggling with how to make Christmas be more about Christ and less about Santa in our home. I have always tried, but I feel like the outside influence is so strong that I need to be even stronger! I spent the morning researching different talks on lds.org and found a great talk by Pres. Monson called "In Search of the Christmas Spirit". I knew this was the talk I needed for family home evening this week. Later at Church the relief society lesson was on this same subject and Sis. Graham used parts of the same talk. She did such a wonderful job. I was teary the whole time because it was just another testament that our Heavenly Father knows each one of us personally and what our needs are. The sisters all had great suggestions on ways to bring Christ back into Christmas. I am so grateful for the wonderful ward we are in and the examples of the sweet sisters around us. Sis. Graham was so nervous for her first lesson in RS and she did such an awesome job, I can't wait for more. I wanted to share a little from Pres. Monson's talk because I think we can all use a reminder.

"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others. This noble transition is exemplified by an entry dated 24 December 1847, in the pioneer diary of Mrs. Rebecca Riter. She describes that first Christmas in the valley of the Great Salt Lake: “The winter was cold. Christmas came and the children were hungry. I had brought a peck of wheat across the plains and hid it under a pile of wood. I thought I would cook a handful for the baby. Then I thought how we would need wheat for seed in the spring, so I left it alone.”
We are prone to say, “Oh, those were difficult times, times of stress and trial,” and they were. But I would also reply, “These times in which we live are also difficult times in their own way.” There is no shortage of opportunities to forget self and think of others. Such opportunities, however limitless they may be, are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved." Pres. Monson Ensign Dec. 1987.

This is just a small part of his talk, you can read the rest HERE!

Hopefully I am doing a good job teaching my children the true meaning of Christmas. I think one of the best ways to do this is by example. I would love it if you shared some of your traditions with me. So please comment and if you have any great Christmas book ideas, I need one for book club.

New Look!

I love my new background! What I love most about it is that I didn't even have to do it! The credit goes to Samantha. She is my blog stylist! Thanks Samantha it looks fabulous!

Since my reason for having a blog in the first place is to capture moments for future generations I thought I should catch up on a few things that happened over the last couple of months!

Christopher and Andrea started school. They both love their new teachers. Christopher is doing so well, he is loving school for the first time ever! Even our carpoolin' friend (Jolene) has noticed a difference in his attitude towards school. Andrea is working very hard and loving being in the same class as her bff Nicole.

Andrea turned SEVEN September 1st! I really can't believe it. She is growing up so fast. Her favorite things right now are: playing with friends, school, baby dolls, cooking and doing dishes, but what she wanted most for her birthday was to get a pedicure with Nicole.

Andrea's piggies are on the right and Nicole's are on the left!

Photo courtesy of Courtney

Halloween was great. Our ward had a fall festival the weekend before. I enjoyed it more that our usual trunk or treat. We were inside with the lights on so you could actually see each other and visit with everybody. They had games for the kids and a chili cook off. On Halloween we got to trick or treat with our cousins. They have lived out of state for the last couple of years and are on the way out of the country, so it is extra special to spend time with them. Samantha was Victoria (Twilight), Christopher was Dark Vader, Andrea was a Witch and Spencer was Buzz Light Year. Unfortunately I didn't get good pictures, we were in such a hurry a couple of them didn't want there pictures taken! I am posting them anyway!

Samantha turned FOURTEEN November 4th! Writing it down doesn't help, I am still in denial. She was looking forward to this birthday. She is now a MiMaid and can attend dances (no yet to my delight) Her favorite things are: friends, music, Twilight, Edward, writing, Edward, blogging, reading blogs, oh and did I say Edward. She choose to forgo a party to go shopping and to dinner with a friend.

Christopher turned ELEVEN November 19th! November is the month of birthdays in our family. (myself, two of my sister in laws, my Dad and a cousin too!) I still sometimes say he is nine. I don't think it has to do with his maturity level,wink, wink, I just don't like that my kids keep growing up! For his party he had a few friends over to watch Clone Wars and eat pizza. His favorite things are: the Wii, Lego's, reading, Star Wars and watching TV. Christopher also received his Arrow of Light and graduated from Cub Scouts to 11yr Scouts.

Andrea lost her first tooth November 19th. Actually she lost her bottom two teeth the same night. They were just hanging there and her Boopa pulled one and I pulled the other. We only got a picture of the first!

Thanksgiving dinner was at our house this year! It rained for two days before Thanksgiving. We live in AZ, I know we need the rain, but why did it have to rain this week! We usually eat outside all together on two long tables, the kids play outside all day long and it is always gorgeous weather. I was worried about how everything would turn out. It was great. The kids still played outside all day the ground had been so dry it soaked up all the water. We ate inside, played games looked at the adds and made plans for Black Friday. It was so nice to spend the day with family! I am so grateful to be surrounded by wonderful family and friends.

For the first time ever or at least almost ever, we got our Christmas tree up and inside of the house decorated for Christmas Thanksgiving weekend! It was such a fun weekend!