...merry christmas, one and all

Signing on today to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Our December has been filled with ups and downs, of wonderful learning experiences and acts of service. We've grown closer to our Savior as we relied on him a little more heavily this month. As I think upon my recent sorrows and joys, I am grateful. Grateful for my faith and my Savior's love. Maybe it was meant to be, this spiritual growth at this particular time. Christmas is more this year because of it. A little more about Christ and a little less about the secular.

Last night, we hosted my family's annual Christmas Devotional. It was so wonderful to get together, eat soup and bread and talk about the true Meaning of the Season; the reason Christmas is celebrated. No gifts were exchanged, no money was spent. Just good-ol' family bonding. My dad, the devotional extrodinaire, narrated the nativity as the children (and some adults) played the various roles. My sweet daughter played Mary; a perfect part for the baby-loving beauty. 2-year-old C played a shepherd, but thought he was a pirate. He stole the show with his "Aye-Aye"s, "Arrrrgh"s and attempted sword fights. Oh, that kid...he is ALL boy and a tad irreverent.

Every word of the story may not have been heard, but I think the kids understood the message. Christmas is not just about Santa and presents; it is about something far more precious than that. Christmas is for remembering our Savior, His plan and His love.

May the true spirit of the season be in your homes this holiday and may peace reside in your hearts.
Much love,

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...my support system

Christmas: the most wonderful time of the year. Right? Stress-free, full of fireside chats and relaxing, peaceful snowy nights? The season of watching happy movies while cuddling with your love and sipping hot-chocolate with extra whipped cream? The time of the year where you smile at your kids' excitement while they lick that candy cane's end into an extra-sharp point? (Did you used to do that? I did...)

I had great plans this year to enjoy all of those things. I was going to get my house decorated the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping done before December arrived, and freelance designs done before December 10th. Lofty goals that didn't come to fruition. My tree was up a week into December, but is only half decorated. (The thought of taking all those decorations down with a new baby made my husband and me stop half way into it.) The rest of my Christmas decor boxes remain unopened. (With Christmas being only a week away, I'm guessing they'll stay that way until next year.) Christmas shopping is now done, but only just. Who knew a 2-year-old boy could be so hard to shop for? And my design jobs? Well...I'm racing to finish them before this little bean makes his first appearance.

And then, a few very hard/stressful things happened recently. Nothing worth sharing, just hard. I tried to get over it on my own, thinking my little trials didn't matter. How could I worry so much about these little things when I have family/friends who are going through so much more than I? I felt selfish and silly for crying over these little stresses. I felt like I wasn't allowed to share what I was going through because it paled in comparison to others' pain and I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

A relaxing holiday season? Not so much...

I know I don't often write downer posts; I usually have no need to. My life is simple and happy. I try to find glamour in the mundane and magic in the everyday. (And really, I am still happy...just worried.) The real reason I am writing this post is to tell you how grateful I am for 3 things. The three things that always get me through these hard times.

First, my kids. They don't let me sulk. When I would like to stay in my jammies all day, they remind me that I have a reason to get up. I have to take care of them and I am so grateful that they get me moving, smiling and laughing.

Second, my church. I am so grateful for my church leaders. For their inspiring talks and their words of wisdom that seem to be talking directly to me. I am grateful for prayer and the compassion of my Savior who understands. My trials are never too trivial for Him. He always listens and comforts.

Third, my husband. J is the kindest, most compassionate person. He adores me as much as I do him. (It is so nice to be adored...) We are in love completely. He is dreamy and good looking, but also thoughful and spiritual. He keeps our family together. He is the best. During this hard time, he has been so patient and kind, offering a listening ear and a hug whenever I needed one.

And, just so you know, life is looking up. I am working though it. I still have grand plans for a stress-free Christmas and happy parties with family. I can't wait to see my kids' faces Christmas morning and for the yummy Bliss Family Dinner that night. With my support system, things are bound to be wonderful.

Now...on to happier topics. Can't wait to show you a belated birthday present that arrived. I am over-the-moon excited.

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...ready to be inspired

general conference means a weekend full of home-baked cinnamon rolls, reunions, crafting, family, cuddling, two whole days of uninterrupted husband time, dinners-out, motivation and inspiring words. can't wait. currently searching the internet for conference activities for my little ones.

i'll be tuning in tomorrow!

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...on my mind

01. this pretty necklace that makes me excited for fancy, fall dates with my love...maybe to the symphony. (really, i love everything in that etsy shop...)
02. my neglected garden that i am scared to check on. i am sure there are some monster zucchinis out there.
03. my dying flowers that need to be plucked. (the one sad thing about fall is pulling out/pruning all my hard garden work.)
04. buying tickets to the fair. yes...it is a little creepy there, but i still love it.
05. the cleaning i need to finish this week before our house guests arrive.
06. my parents who live in hawaii who are in town for a visit.
07. their cabin in the uintahs that is calling my name. (see you this weekend, lovely cabin!)
08. peaches. peach jam. peach pie.
09. these shoes and these boots.
10. my wonderfully sweet husband who i miss seeing every evening. darn schooling that takes him away...
11. my sweet friend who is going through so many trials right now. loosing a baby and a diagnosis with cancer at such a young age. doesn't seem fair.
12. this talk.

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day...NOT laboring. I, on the other hand, will be working on my computer for the remainder of the day while my kiddos and husband are hiking. Sad. I can't wait to catch up on my pile of design orders!

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Merry Christmas

I first fell in love with this nativity painting by Brian Kershisnik when it was on display at BYU's Museum of Art. It is incredible to see in person. I saw it for the first time with my mom and sister, and all three of us were impressed by it uniqueness. I can imagine myself there, watching the magnificant scene in a humble stable. (At least...I hope I was.)

I wish you all a wonderful and beautiful season with your loved ones and pray we all remember the true meaning of Christmas.

*I will be on Christmas vacation until the 28th. If you need me, please email and I will respond early on Monday.

6

...conference weekend

Conference was wonderful! I can't wait to read the talks! I was really inspired to be better and do better. It was also so nice to spend an entire weekend with my husband!

One of the best things about conference in my family is our tradition of homemade cinnamon rolls! Sadly, my mom, the queen on cinnamon rolls, couldn't be here for the weekend so I was forced to make them myself! Here is the recipe:

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Dissolve a dry active yeast in warm milk and sugar. Let it stand for 10 minutes,till yeast is foamy. Add the remaining wet ingredients. Add the flour and knead until dough ball is formed. Heat oven to 200F, and then turn off. Cover dough with moist kitchen towel over bowl. Put in oven for 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.

Roll out dough to a rectangle shape. Spread butter and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on top. Roll up dough.

Slice into 1" slices using thread.

Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

And then, the most important step...enjoy! (I didn't get any pictures of the final product...they disappeared too quickly.)

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...the general relief society broadcast

my sister sarah (right) and me (left) at the conference center in slc

last night, i attended the general relief society broadcast in salt lake city
it was amazing to sit, sing and listen with thousands of other lds women.
the speakers were inspiring
and I felt humbled by their words.
i took notes
and resolved to be a little better,
attend the temple more often,
pray more fervently,
and to beautify the space around me.
my heart was touched and my faith was increased.

4

...complaining

I have decided that complaining never does any good. On Thursday, I went with four of my ward friends to get pedicures. On the way there, my friend Katie, who is in the primary presidency, asked me if I had a calling yet. I told her that I did. I believe I said something to the effect of: "I was just called to the enrichment committee...which I have been in for the past 6 years straight! I am so ready for something new!!"

Well...I have learned that you should never complain. There is always something "worse." J and I were sitting around after putting the kids to bed, talking about how we would never want to be in nursery. I am home with a toddler and a baby all day by myself. J only really sees them on the weekends. (He works all day/goes to school all night...) After talking, we immediately got a call from a bishopric member and 30 minutes later...I had a new calling. Nursery leader. NURSERY LEADER! I accepted the calling with a smile and then burst into tears when he left my house.

Then, through teary eyes, I read this, this and this. Although I still can't say that I am excited about the calling, I can tell you that I have a resolve to love these kids (one being my own daughter...) and to teach them to love their Savior. I know this calling is not one sought after, but I also know that I will be teaching children of God who Heavenly Father loves. He would want me to put my heart into it...so I will.

16

...being too tired to post

I don't want to ruin my goal by not posting today, but man alive...I am tired.

Want to know what I learned today? I hate LDS church basketball. It turns nice adult men into psycho, macho freaks. It is embarrassing! J played in our Stake basketball tournament today and those guys were insane. They were so physical and hot headed. Personally...I think they should do away with the whole program. IT IS JUST A CHURCH BASKETBALL GAME! It doesn't even matter! gosh..

But just for the record...my sweet husband wasn't one of the hot-headed ones. He made me proud. AND...our ward will be playing in regionals next week, so I guess I have more church ball ahead of me.

9

...a Beloved Prophet

My brother just called me with the news of the passing of President Hinckley. Even though the prophet has been telling us every time he spoke that his life is near the end, it still doesn't lesson the shock. I really loved him, as we all did. He was "my" prophet and even though I am happy he is with his sweet wife again, I couldn't help but cry at his passing. I will miss his sense of humor, his inspiring talks, and his sweet way about him. I loved how he loved his wife, and how he was so happy till the day he died. I am sure the next prophet will be just as incredible, but I will always miss my dear prophet, President Hinckley.

5

...christmas

Once you become a mom, the Christmas story takes on new meaning. I have been thinking about Mary and how it would feel to be 9 months pregnant while riding on a donkey for a long distance. How horrible that must have been. And then I thought about going into labor in a stable and having to lay my newborn in a manger. I hurt for Mary when I think about how hard that must have been. Now that I have a sweet boy of my own and know the overwelming feeling of responsibility a mother feels for a little life, I also think of how Mary must have felt as she looked down on the Son of God.

As I looked into my own sweet children's eyes tonight, I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for my Savior. I am so grateful that he died for my baby boy and my cute little Em. I am so happy that I will be able to be with my family forever because of Him.

Christmas has new meaning now that I am a mother. Gifts and Santa are no longer as important. My children and my faith are paramount. I think I finally have been able to grasp the true Spirit of Christmas.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas tomorrow and hope you all, too, feel the Spirit of Christmas in your own homes.

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