Christmas Tree : Lights, Memories, Traditions

As is our family tradition, we put up our Christmas tree today (the day after Thanksgiving). The kids enjoyed themselves. We listened to Jimmy's Mannheim Steamroller cd as background music. The kids selected a nice random variety of ornaments... some fancy... some homemade... some school projects by the tots. They like them all. As for our tree, a friend gave us a hand-me-down 8 or 9 years ago. It has probably seen better days.

But tonight as we were reading a Christmas story by the tree (well... while Tru was undecorating the tree - rather), I was thinking about how it just doesn't matter to kids what the tree looks like. They love the LIGHTS and the MEMORIES and the TRADITIONS.

My dad altered the words to a familiar Christmas tune... "Oh, Christmas Tree". Growing up, we decorated our tree with felt ornaments to go along with the symbols:

Oh, Christmas Tree

Oh, Christmas Tree

You represent Eternity.

The Bell is JOY

The Heart is LOVE

The Dove is PEACE from God above.

The Star reminds us of His birth

The night CHRIST came to dwell on earth.

May we remember sacredly, the meaning of our Christmas tree.

I've tried to continue these symbols in decorating my tree because I love the tradition and meaning.

"Christmas is a time of lights. We light our homes and trees, our streets, and our store windows. Processions of singing families carrying torches wind their way through the snowy Alps of Austria as they go to attend church at Christmastime. On that first Christmas night lights appeared in the heavens, especially one bright star that shone down on the manger where the Baby Jesus lay. Far away in the “new world” bright lights were also seen in the heavens.

"... At this special time of year may you feel the JOY of Christmas, remembering Jesus as you see the LIGHTs of Christmas." First Presidency - December 1972

Grateful Heart

1. Thanksgiving, 2. CORN!, 3. Mississippi Thanksgiving Colors, 4. Tempting Pumpkin Pie Recipe, 5. Happy Thanksgiving!, 6. Autumn decoration, 7. warm wooly socks., 8. Plenty Thankful, 9. Happy Thanksgiving

I love each of these quotes I found throughout November... each shares a great message!

"It has been by observation ... that when I focus on what I don’t have, I tend to become increasingly self-centered, selfish, and crabby . . . [But we can] find true happiness in cultivating humble, grateful hearts."
…Mary Ellen Edmunds


“Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love...We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to BRIGHTEN all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more JOYFUL, more likable....The absence of gratitude makes a person miserable.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Sept. 2001


“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.)


‎"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." - W. T. Purkiser


"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” Gordon B. Hinckley

So Much by DudaDaze

LDS Primary Theme 2011 Cards Freebie

This week's Freebie on simplyfreshdesigns is LDS Primary Theme 2011 Cards.

im · per · a · tive

I liked this Definition of IMPERATIVE:
1:
a : relating to, or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another
b : expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation
c : having power to restrain, control, and direct

2 : not to be avoided or evaded : necessary

Today we're focusing on definition part 2... in relation to ... exercise.

I decided TODAY that it's not merely desired or optional anymore... but EXERCISE is now IMPERATIVE ... essential for my health. There are too many factors needing major attention here. Cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, stress-level, emotional health. It hasn't been able to be a priority because of life with 4 tots... but I've decided that has to ch-ch-ch-change!

So - really - the only option in my present life is a.m. exercise . . .  6 a.m. to be precise. I should be able to handle 20 minutes a morning - right?  The ONE morning I did it, my soul sang with JOY... I loved the morning silence before tots woke.  I felt the JOY in accomplishing.  But... oh, how many times I've set an exercise plan only to have it foiled by pregnancy, sickness, or plain ol' mama-exhaustion.  So - I'll plug along and do my best and not get discouraged when other top priorities are given full attention.

Here's to a healthier life!

Gratitude Journey

I've loved doing daily gratitudes in November's past... so here we are again in November contemplating blessings.

I kindof agree with Anne here:

"Thanksgiving should be celebrated in the spring. I think it would be ever so much better than having it in November when everything is dead or asleep. Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can't help being thankful ... that they are alive, if for nothing else." Anne of Avonlea

But then again... that's probably why Thanksgiving falls in a wintery month... because Heavenly Father knew gratitude would keep us going.

I've decided that this month living in Thanksgiving daily is going to be a journey... climbing higher, being lifted, looking upward ... Gratitude does that for the soul.

"Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us." [lds.org - Gospel Topics]

Vintage Halloween Coloring

Does it count as vintage if it's only from my childhood? ... we'll just go with it.

I wanted to share my favorite coloring pages when I was a kid. I loved these. And today my tots are coloring them. I love that they don't care that they are hand traced. The top 3 were my favorites growing up.

Here's the download for the pdf if anyone else is interested in vintage halloween.

Hope Smiling Brightly Before Us

Little Miss Hannah is 8 years old today. How could this cute little bug... grow so quickly? 8 years have come and gone. sigh...

Here she is at age 3ish. Bright little girlie!

Today I felt like the title of the post - Hope Smiling Brightly Before Us. (for 1... I finally got some meds to help this awful rash... that gives me hope that one day I'll stop itching and be healthy).

But most importantly... I feel like Hannah is a little ray of sunshine. She's an awesome helper. She smiles and is cheerful at home. She laughs. She sings - even opera! She loves to read. She loves hugs. She is kind. A boy at school said she is the smartest and the nicest girl in the class. She really is a good, good gal. She was so excited about her new scriptures with her name embossed on them. She doesn't like a lot of public attention, but in small groups she likes to shine.

Miss Hannah is a bright spot in our family. She does pretty well handling her 3 brothers as you can see:

Happy Birthday Miss Hannah Mae. We sure love you!

It's that time again ... Merry Monday

I wanted to rework my favorite quiet book to give as a freebie to the public. I investigated Terms of use on the cute Primary images I had purchased, swapped some images, and such...  It appears it's all fine and dandy... and ready to go.

Today we have a new Merry Monday - We Believe Freebie on the Simply Fresh Designs Blog.

Go forth and check it out!

Theme for Today: HOPE

Hope Valley by Earthwater

Did you know there was such a place as HOPE VALLEY? I didn't ... until today. It does exist ... in England. Some day my feet may walk there. It is lovely.

That photo got me thinking about HOPE.

I won't list the eternal amounts of marvelous quotes I love about hope, but here are a few talks I want to listen to or read today.

Infinite Power of Hope by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Joy of Hope Fulfilled by Elder M. Russell Ballard

Hope, the anchor of the Soul by President James E. Faust

Brightness of Hope by Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Got HOPE? It's a good thing.

a bit of cheer = *LIGHT*

Love this! Just keep moving... This sums up my day... I really just wanted to hang out in bed all day and watch a girly movie and then read a book. Instead I MOVED and got some projects tackled. Hopefully the MOVING made for a more balanced and fulfilling day.

vol25 'life is like riding a bicycle'

You know why I love this one? ... the light... the cheerful colors... the hanging mini quilt... the rug... the plant. Makes me want to decorate my house in all the cheerful colors I love.

Allie Hoopes

I love what this gal, Heather, is doing with the Joyful Life Library. To honor the joyful life of her baby Samuel who died, at 6 weeks old,  she started an organization to donate books to the local picu so the parents can read to their sick kiddos. So sweet and inspiring!

Isn't this so bright and fun?! It's a sewing kit for girlies from the Discovery Store. I want to put together my own homemade kit for Christmas with brightly-colored little felt shapes/projects, ric-rac, buttons, embroidery thread ... for miss hannah ... who has a great interest in CREATING.