Christmas List

I love this time of year. It is full of to-do lists, projects and memories.

 

I started collecting nativities many years ago. As my kids had their own homes, I started giving them away. I now have some new ones. Callie gave me this one that is made from Olive trees in the Holy Land and it truly is beautiful.

I love red on the Christmas tree. I have ornaments that I have collected for years. There are a couple from the first year we were married. Many were purchased on vacations. I love my pirate Santa that reminds me of hot, sandy week in the Outer Banks with the littles. This year it means even more as it was the last time I saw my Canadian littles. 

There are a few ornaments on the tree that remind me of the reason we celebrate Christmas. These ornaments remind me that Christmas is truly about the birth of the Savior. All the things that we do that help us be more like him are good things that get to stay on the list.

My mom always had cinnamon rolls. When they are baking, it smells like home to me.

They will always remind me of her.

Gifts are always on the list. I do okay with gifts until it becomes an obligation to get a gift for someone. I want to give a gift because I found something I know you will like. 

My heart is happy the day I go and buy a couple of dolls and Lego sets for Toys for Tots. I have no idea where they end up, but I enjoy buying them and hope they are appreciated. 

I read a book last year titled, Joseph and Mary, by Robert Markham. This book had a huge impact on me and my view of the birth and life of the Savior. It was never an easy life. 

It was always a life full of love for others and service for all mankind. 

May God bless you all.

Merry Christmas

Breath

That crazy week is over. It is the week before Christmas vacation with true believers. They are waiting for Santa from home now. 

We made it through the semester without any cases of Covid in our classroom. We used plenty of Clorox wipes and Virex. Social Distancing in Kinder is a joke and I found myself saying, "Don't lick your friends" way to often. Little masks found there way, well, everywhere. Everyday, was a new day and we just kept working.

We had a Zoom meeting with our kids last night. It's as close as we are going to get to each other for a while.  Richard finished his semester at BYU and with it, finishes the last of my kids working on a BA. When we took Keith to Provo, I was so sad. He was only 17. Todd told me that this was the way it should be and that I wouldn't cry when I took him. Boy, was that true. 

We went to Provo to see Richard and I thought it would be fun to do a picture.

There was no one on campus. Please note that I'm happy.

I kept thinking, 'This is the last time I have to come here.'

I found someone to take the classic picture of the graduate with his parents.

If they have a graduation ceremony and Richard wants to walk I will go back, 

but for now. This will do.

Now that we are at the end of this road we have earned 8 BA's (mine falls in this time frame), 4 BA's from their spouse, 3 Masters degrees, 1 PhD and 1 Masters in progress and I have no doubt more degrees are on the way. 

So what does this mean to me? That they have learned some self discipline. That they are employable, and that will be of service to others. 

K-Christmas

I really thought that the school would have had to shutdown by now, but that is not the case. No Covid in the building since the first week of school.  It leaves us working at this busy time of year. 

First: I have a boy who brings his Elf on the shelf to school. Not sure if that Elf should see the way he acts at school. 

Second: I have a student with an Elf named Rainbow.  She insisted that the mailman could not find the North Pole and her Elf would give it to Santa. She was a force to be recond with, but the letter was delivered with the rest of the class. 

Third: I had a child tell us we were all following Satan as we were making Rudolf Christmas cards. I might add that she was making one too. 

They are cute, but naughty. 

Knowing that this season is about following the Savior makes it easier.

Easier to keep it simple. 

Easier to help others.

Easier not to stress.

Easier to feel love for mankind.