Their Stockings Were Hung...

We finally have matching stockings!  I am not crafty.  I know my way around the craft store and sewing machinge, but those projects kind of stress me out.  So, I am quite proud of myself.  And, that's all I have to say about that.

Christmas Time Is Here

The Christmas season is rapidly approaching it's climax. At a balmy 70 degrees much of last week and the same forecast for much of next, it feels a little strange.  But, the Christmas season, with all the business, anticipation, and joy, is upon us nonetheless.

We have heard carols and wrapped presents.  We saw the lights and played with friends. 

We said good bye to others. 

We donned our Sunday best to worship our Heavenly Father and remember His son.

And we have enjoyed the bright sunny weather. We don't have snow, but we do have mistletoe. We have wonderful people in our life. We have the opportunity to celebrate in the way we choose. We have knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that He lives! I love that we can have peace always - especially on our dark days.  I'm grateful for His light that pierces our darkest places. 

I love the life and brightness that that light makes room for. 

And I love these two little boys with all my heart!

I'm grateful for December showers that bring...well they bring hours of fun for little ones and an afternoon of snuggles.

So, here I am full circle at the weather. Though frigid temperatures and snow are hallmarks of my Christmases past, I am finding joy in the newness of the present. In the memories of my children's Christmases, now and yet to come. It's the joy of Christmas that gives significance and magic to the season, not the other way around.  I can find that joy in rain or snow or shine.

Merry Christmas!

A Collector of Joy.

She quietly collected the small moments of joy like drops of sunlight. The more she collected, the more she saw until they illuminated her entire life. 

We made an impromptu trip back to Utah for Thanksgiving. I suppose the lack of pictures show as much about the fun we had as an abundance would. We were so focused on visiting and just enjoying being with family, that most of the time I forgot to take pictures. Even though we had some issues with colds and a stomach bug, it was a wonderful trip. I'm so thankful for family and the treasure of joyful moments we collected on our journey.  I collected so many moments of joy, that I still feel the soft glow of it. 

Perfect Timing

Today was not the day I would have chosen for the car to break down.

 It was by far the busiest day of the week. In fact it was the busiest day we've had in a month! But break down it did. 

As I thought ruefully about the timing, my heart suddenly overflowed with gratitude. The car didn't break down while we were apple picking WAY out in the country, only an hour earlier. It didn't break down while I had kids in the car. It broke down in enough time to be fixed so that I could get the kids to soccer practices only 15 minutes late. It broke down when we had two cars so matt could pick me up and I could finish my afternoon list while it was in the shop. It broke down right when we were discussing what house repair to do with our *cough* extra *cough* money. So, in my narrow view it had seemed really inconvenient but it was actually perfect timing. 

The Long View

In fourth grade, I did a report on New Hampshire.  It was randomly assigned, I would not have chosen it, but I have been in love with New England ever since.  Silly, maybe, since I've never been there.  I have wanted to see Boston since about the same time.  For sure after learning US history in 5th grade.  So, since we are living a day's drive from New England, I decided it was time!  A few weeks ago we loaded up the car, and ventured out, along with my parents, and my brother's family. 

 

It was an adventure!  Plenty of bumps as well as unexpected delights. 

Early in the planning, we cut our New York City stop out of the plans, but as we drove from Boston to Washington, DC we decided it would be fun to drive through Manhattan.  It was Sunday, so we were hoping there might be a little less traffic.  But, traffic or no, we were willing to fight the madness to catch a glimpse.  I was the navigator, so I pulled up the instructions on gps.  I was glued to that thing, not wanting to get lost or miss a turn.  And my navigation track record was not good (for some reason, you need to know the difference between left and right in order to get where you need to go.  Ridiculous!), so I was trying to pay extra close attention.  I had to do some fancy routing to get the gps to take me around Manhattan instead of through Newark, NJ.  As we set off, I double and triple checked each instruction.  As we passed the Bronx, my mom called and asked where we were going.  I said we were following the instructions.  When I hung up, I looked at the map again.  It had rerouted me!  Through New Jersey, bypassing Manhattan! So frustrating.  I was so focused on each individual step, that I hadn't been taking in the route as a whole.  It doesn't matter how close attention you are paying to the directions, if you're looking at the wrong ones.  I feel like that is a type for how my life goes.  I get so focused on the minutiae of every day that I don't pay attention to my trajectory.  And sometimes, I make one little decision after another that slowly and surely takes me off my course.  It takes a wake up call, and a look at the big picture to make a course correction.  In my case on our New York drive, it was too late for a course correction.  Hopefully, it doesn't get there in my life.  This trip, and even more, looking back on it as I have typed this blog and posted these pictures, has been a big picture moment.  I am grateful for big picture moments that help me check in and make sure I am still on the right path.  I want to see Manhattan, not Newark. 

 

Here are a million and a half pictures of our trip (don't ask me how I posted a half picture).

 

 

Cape Cod

 

 

Washington DC

 

 

Philedelphia

 

 

Valley Forge

Gettysburg

 

Back to DC and the Smithsonians

 

Palmyra, New York 

 

 

Boston 

My memories from the trip were the unexpected treasures.  The woman playing the instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin.  The pews in North Church (how awesome would it be to be able to usher my kids into a box and lock the door for all of the meeting!). The moving art display made from dog tags (one for each soldier killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars).  The playground by the marina.  Valley Forge.  It's always surprising to me how peaceful old battlefields are.  Not just quiet, full of peace.  There's a sanctifying power in sacrifice.  Sacrifice makes sacred ground.