LDS.org

Saw this a few weeks ago, thought it was VERY interesting. Check it out. Let me know what you think.

I personally am all for spreading the word and, for me, blogging is a very non-threatening way to get to spread it. My only concern is for the youth of our church. Serving in YW's, I've heard some of the things our girls write on facebook, myspace, and personal blogs and we all know that girls (and boys) aren't always so nice. In fact, they are mean. So I wonder what Elder Ballard would say to them... I wonder if the council would be different. Either way, I love blogging! And I always love to follow the council of the apostles, especially before it's given!

So, here's to continuing the discussion about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are not a member of our church and have any questions, feel free to ask!

You Were Not There

I can't believe we are 4 days from Christmas! I'm feeling like we haven't emphasized the birth of our Savior enough around here! Sure, we've had the Family Home Evening lesson about the birth of our Savior. We've read Lainey our very accurate board book describing the very first Christmas (love it, by the way. Check it out here). We checked out a creche exhibit. We're faithfully reading our Christmas countdown book for the first time ever. But it seems that this holiday is slipping by without many thoughts of thanksgiving and gratitude on my part.

I've avoided it for years, but the business of this time of year that seems to overwhelm everyone else finally caught up with me. The funny thing is that I was 98% done with my Christmas shopping in November (yes, exactly 98, I calculated... okay not really). So I don't know what I'm so busy doing, but I've been busy. I've joined the club. And I want to get out! I want to go back to quiet Decembers spent with family and time to bake (and the energy to bake). I want to cuddle with my family and watch White Christmas in its entirety without falling asleep (twice, we've tried twice and failed to get through it). I want to remember the Miracle that has brought me Salvation, the Miracle that changed the world and changed me.

Tyler and I were listening to The Forgotten Carols. As we were listening, Tyler mentioned that his favorite of all the 'forgotten carols' was the Sheperd's song. I listened more intently as the CD continued to track 3, listened to what my husband found to be so remarkable. As this particular carol goes, a sheperd had fallen asleep and when he awoke his friends had a remarkable tale to tell him.

They said the angels told them
About the new-born king.
They had a star to guide them.
They heard the heavens sing.
They said that when they found Him,
They knew they'd never been the same.

And isn't that so true? When we've finally 'found Him' we truly are never the same, are we? And I began to see why Tyler loved this song so much.

And, yes, I did believe them
Though I'd not seen a thing.
I did not go to Bethlehem
Or hear the angels sing,
But there was something magic in the air
That made me feel as if I had been there.
I knew that as the world
Moves on through time,
There would be more stories just like mine
About the souls who've chosen to believe
In something that they never got to see.

I wasn't in Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago, I didn't walk the earth with our Savior, and I didn't see the pain He suffered in the Garden, but like this dear sheperd, I know He was born humbly, perhaps the humblest of all births, and that He came to this earth as the Savior of it. I am a soul who has chosen to believe in something that I never got to see.

And do you think you'll join us
Though you've not seen a thing?
You were not there in Bethlehem
Nor heard the angels sing.
But if you feel the spirit in the air,
Then, just like me, you'll know that
He was here...He was here
The king of king and Lord of lords was here,
He was here...He was here.
And He will come again, for He was here.

So for the next 4 days, I will "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" and remember the ultimate gift given to me each and every day. I, like you, celebrate my testimony that He was here and He will come again.

Holiday Cheer!

Success!

After reading this, Lainey's freak out at the Ward Christmas Party, and recollecting last years failed attempt, we had no idea what to expect from our visit to the local library to see Santa. We love this guy. Not only is he jolly and joyful, but he recites 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' with a glove that has a character on each finger. He lets the kids ask questions. He tells the kids all about the reindeer and the elves. I ask you, do you get that kind of service from a Mall Santa? I don't think so. And this guy is free. We adore him. But last year, Lainey did her adoring from afar and was terrified to sit with Santa.

You should've heard us this year. Tyler and I talked this guy up till the cows came home. Short of bribing her, we tried every tatic we knew to get her comfortable with the whole 'sitting on a stranger's lap' thing. My friends. She was jumping up and down before it was her turn. She rehearsed telling him what she wanted. Then, her number was called, and she walked up and SAT ON HIS LAP! And she told him what she wanted (is it bad that Mom and Dad coax her to want a certain item already purchased??) and she even gave him the most adorable hug. Brady didn't have any trouble crawling into Santa's waiting arms, he obviously loves the Big Red Guy.And speaking of Christmas Miracles, Tyler and I got to go on a date last night! We went to see the Broadway version of 'White Christmas'. My review: although it was VERY different from the movie, I thought it was fantastic. Lots of fun and the girl who played Betty had some incredible lungs. Not the original, but loved it. Here we are at the Denver Performing Arts Center.

And now, I'm really going to go finish making my Christmas cards. They gotta get out! If you want one, leave me your address (view my profile on the side bar under 'contributers' and click email me) if you don't think I have it!

You know you've been blogging too much when...

Your husband says, "Honey, do you want me to water the Christmas tree?"

And you say, while staring intently at your computer, "Yeah, water the blog. Thanks."

Really. This really happened. Heaven help me.

Shows of the Season

So today's holiday favorite list is holiday movies! Who doesn't love a classic cartoon that reminds you of childhood, or a cheesy Christmas movie that does nothing to restore your faith in Hollwood (anyone seen any of the movies on ABC Family lately?), or a classic tale told again in a new way? We love Christmas shows at our house. They certainly help us ring in Christmas time. So here are my top 3 favorite Christmas movies:


White Christmas

This has been a favorite at the Banks' house for decades and now we carry on the tradition at the Miller home as well. Some classic lines: "Isn't this cozy? Boy, girl, boy, girl?" Or "Mutual, I'm sure." Or "My friend, when what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten what's left to be gotten won't be worth whatever it is you've got left." And you gotta love good ol' Bing and the great music. (Tyler and I are going to see the Broadway production of White Christmas on Thursday. I'll let you know what we think!)

A Charlie Brown Christmas

You've got to love this movie. And for the record, I'm feeling a bit like Charlie Brown... only two cards received as of yet. (It's okay, I haven't sent mine out yet either!) Lainey loved this one. And until we came home with a real green tree on Friday, she insisted we were getting a pink one. Where do ya think she got that idea? Humpf. Commercialism. "Your a good man, Charlie Brown!"

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Watch out, Miss Piggy. There's a new gal in town. And I'm in love with your man. Kermit is the cutest! And who doesn't love this tale? But more than I love this story, I love the music in this movie. Check it out. It's great.


No preamble here. What's your favorite holiday movie? What movie makes you take a break from this crazy time of year and curl up with your kids or hubby and celebrate the commercialized spirit of this glorious holiday season?

I'm it... again

I was tagged for the Seven Things by my cousin, Megan.

The rules are:

-Share seven random facts about yourself, in your blog.
-Include these rules.
-Link back to the person who tagged you.
-Tag four more people and list their names & blogs. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged.

Here are seven random facts about me:

1. My knees make a clicking sound when I go down our stairs, especially first thing in the morning. It's kinda funny, but probably not a good thing.

2. I hate long toe nails. . .actually, I hate medium length toenails. The only kind of toenails I like are short, SHORT, SHORT! I'm always clipping them. Sometimes until it hurts. Another 'probably not a good thing'.

3. I'm like the Princess and the Pea but it's crumbs on my floor rather than peas under my mattress. I can't stand crumbs under my feet. In fact, I've been known to make my dear husband sweep and then, after I walk on the floor and feel the crumbs, I make him pull out the vacuum, too.

4. I don't like potato salad. It grosses me out because of two ingredients that I dislike even more than potato salad: mustard and hard boiled eggs. Yuck!

5. I have one of everything as far as siblings go. I have an older brother and sister and a younger brother and sister. I think it's pretty cool. Thanks, Mom!

6. I've never had my eyebrows waxed or seriously plucked. I'll yank out a few here and there, but I've never shaped 'em or whatever you call it. My eyebrows are all natural and I'm starting to wonder if that isn't the norm.

7. If I had one wish I would create an edit button for the things that fly out of my mouth, or a rewind/undo/redo/rephrase/try again button. I say the stupidest things sometimes. I would love the chance to try again on some days.

Four people I'm tagging:

Laura (I already know at least one random fact about you- how are your hiccups?)

Becca

Danner

Tammy

Songs of the Season...

We all listen to it, we all love it. Don't deny it. Here are my top 2 fav Christmas albums in no particular order:


Martina McBride
White Christmas

This is one awesome CD. Classic songs, with none of the 'I can do this song better my way' attitude. O Holy Night is amazing. Definitely worth owning.

Wilsons

Hey Santa

I know, I know, this is the cheesiest. But we love it! Don't knock it till you try it!

And 1 I just can't stomach... Clay Aiken. Way to overdo those Holiday classics, buddy. Sorry if this offends any of his Claymates.

Now guess what I'm gonna type next...

What is your favorite holiday album? We try to get a new one every year and are stumped on what to get next.

You gotta read

this. Especially if you wanna feel some Christmas spirit. Nope, it's not a book, but its awesome! Thanks, Danner, for sharing it!

I'm sorry...

So less than an hour ago I was writing a post in my head all about my dear daughter's latest escapade in disobedience.

I was going to rant about why my child never seems to listen to what I say.

I was going to tell you that this isn't the first nor the second nor even the third time she has committed this particular crime.

I was going to mention that this mammoth mess extended to the bathroom floor tile that I recently scrubbed on hands and knees til it shone.

I was going to estimate the dollar amount of the damage.

I was going to clamor about how this mishap occurred after dear daughter was given a privilege and that in and of itself should promote good behavior, but for some reason it didn't.

I was going to tell you how long it took to clean up.

I was going to go on and on and on about how upset and frustrated I was.


Then, of her own free will, she said

I'm sorry.

With the most sincerity and remorse I've ever heard. On her own. Without a prompting from me. Without the obligatory time out before hand. Without lengthy lectures (there was a minor tirade, but no lecture). And not because she thought it would get her out of her punishment. Her apology was genuine. Now, maybe my daughter is slow. Or maybe I have a really bad memory. But I'm pretty sure that was the first time she'd ever apologized for bad behavior on her own. And then, with tears on her cheeks, she meekly walked to her bedroom to endure her punishment.

Now there are tears on my cheeks. It's nice to know that she is hearing what I'm trying to teach her. But I'm more sad that I actually have to punish her when all I really want to do now is tell her how proud I am of her for knowing that she did something really bad and knowing the appropriate social and emotional response to that feeling . And its really only a few minutes in quiet time, but my heart is breaking for my barely 4 year old who had to learn a hard lesson today. Such a small moment filled with such emotion. Being 4 is hard, but being a Mom takes the cake. It's difficult enough watching our children get hurt and saddened by other people and circumstances, but to be the one that has to inflict the hurt after such contrition... its almost too much. I'm hoping there will be time later to discuss our triumph without diminishing the severity of the infraction. I'm hoping I'm not the only one who's been here....