Taking Back Christmas

As a family, we've decided to take back Christmas. You know, really focus on the reason for the season and put Christ back into Christmas. I've thought for a while now that we needed to do something about inviting the spirit of Christmas into our home and make that the tradition, or the major part of our traditions - especially as we now have a little guy that is learning from us and picking up on everything little thing we do (good and bad!). 

I'm came across this post the other day from The Small Seed and that's when I decided we were going to start making changes. I really love Christmas and all that goes with it, but I needed something to motivate me to do better at remembering our Savior, especially at this time of year.  

Another dear friend and fantastic graphic designer, Mandi, also posted an advent that she made last year and was so kind to share. You can download it for free here.

So, my first thing was creating a new nativity for this year. I had so much fun making this and it made me wonder why I've never really drawn one before. And, to help you - wallpapers of my first nativity to hopefully help you remember Christ a little more this season as well!
[click link (not picture), download, save and set.]

Phone

iPad

**for personal use only.

Some of My Favorite Things

So I've decided to re-enter the blogging world, if only just for this little update.

Dear Blog Readers,

Please excuse my long absence, for I have been crazy-busy working on a 4.0.

A 4.0 GPA that is.

This past semester was the craziest of my life. I would like to blame it on the semester -- as a whole, not on any one thing in particular, but if I had to pick one thing, or one class, I would choose....Mass Media Law. That class, by far, has been the most challenging class I've ever taken and maybe will ever take. But, I tried my hardest, spent many, many late nights writing papers and it all paid off because I got an 'A' in the class, along with my other classes, which means I got that 4.0 that I had been working on! I do not mean to brag, or even to bring any kind of recognition to myself; I just wanted to mention that because this is the first, and probably last, time I have ever received a 4.0 in my life and I just wanted to bask in the victorious feeling of having the perspicacity (thank you Dione!) required to pass that class.

Thank you! I am done now.

But, the real reason for this post today -- Christmas! I have always enjoyed a good holiday season, full of family, friends, and memories -- and this year is no exception.

Here is a list of some of my favorite things:

• Being home for the holidays
• The wonderful music that accompanies the season (and yes, I start listening on Nov. 1)
• Beautiful blankets of pure white snow
• The smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree
• Brightly colored stockings hanging by the fireplace
• Little kid-anticipation (whether you're 9 or 21!)
• Happy, giving, generous people
• Fuzzy, warm gloves, mittens, scarves, beanies, and hats that squish little kids' faces
• Classic holiday movies played on TV for weeks before Christmas day
• Coming home to a very festive home decorated with wreaths, Christmas ornaments, nativity scenes, snowflakes, Christmas reminders, etc.
• Remembering our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reason for the season

I do hope that all is well with you at this holiday time! Thank you for keeping up on your blogs so I may share in your joys, sadness, successes, and fun and exciting lives!

Sincerely,

Whitney

P.S. So you may all feel caught up on my life this past semester (whether you want to be or not, I do not know) I'm going to start posting some pictures of my favorite times and share a little story with each. This is to keep from posting a 4-page post and save you some time.