19 days left - Christmas Oranges and Sacrifice

Today we wanted to remember the missionaries who are serving from our ward.  We are sending them a chocolate orange with the Christmas orange story.  I love this story because it shares exactly what is most beautiful about the season.  The sacrifice of something so seemingly small as an orange segment yet together they create something whole.  It reminds me that together anything is possible.  I love how the sacrifice of many blesses the one.  Just like in missionary work, there are sacrifices being made by many to find the one person who is searching.  We are writing letters so send with the packages.

The shepherd can remind us that there is one fold and one shepherd, and He welcomes all into His fold.

20 days left - Christmas Pillowcases

As a little girl every December we could go to the linen drawer and find our Christmas pillowcase.  My mom had made each one out of Christmas fabric and then added our name.  I loved that pillowcase, it was proof that Christmas was coming in a few short weeks, and to me as a kid proof was vital.  Last year I made five pillowcases and then wrapped each seperatly so it was a surpise as to which pillowcase gets to be on their bed.  I decided to do the same this year, maybe they'll decide which is their favorite and eventually I'll have each name added.

Rudolph symbolizes Christ as a guide.  Mocked and unaccepted by his peers until they realized He is the only one who can save them.

21 days left - Memory Tree

 Day 4 - This is THE DAY, my favorite, it is why we do it on my birthday every year.  We decorate the memory tree.  The memory tree is filled with symbols of what we have accomplished, events and wonderful things we have done together.  Through the year when we go somewhere we try to find an ornament that represents the location.  When the kids participate in an activity or start on a path of a new talent we try to find an ornament that reminds us of their accomplishments.  I love watching the kids faces as we unwrap each treasured bundle.  They anxiously wait for their special ornament, and share excitement and memories of the family ornaments.  This year we bought a couple of handmade ornaments in West Yellowstone when we spent the day there together on labor day.  Sara received a beautiful violin, as she has been playing now for a couple of months.  JT had the chance to try soccer, hence the soccer ball.  Cambelle started ballet and preformed in the Nutcracker and so there are two ornaments for her this year, ballet shoes and a nutcracker.  I love everyone of them, my hope is that my children will treasure these memories as much as I do. The fact that we do it on my birthday was started many years ago when Troy and I were first married.  I knew from experience that my birthday very rarely lived up to expectations so I wanted to start something that I would look forward to and would bring a smile to my face every year no matter where we were or what our financial circumstances were, so when we were first married we would put up our Christmas tree.  Well through the years I decided that  I wanted the tree up a little sooner and I wanted a separate place to hang our special ornaments, so the memory tree solved the issue of both situations.  Cambelle said tonight that she loved my birthday because we got to put the memory tree up, I think I have to agree with her.

We got this train in 2010 after we rode the North Pole Express in Heber City.

Troy and I picked this up in Victoria British Columbia in 1998.

This was in our package this year for Cambelle, it was her first year to participate in the Nutcracker.

This is Sara's violin.

In 2009 my dad passed away, he lived with us for 6 years and  we  miss him.  But it's nice to remember what he means to us.

In 2009 Troy and I were a Ma and Pa on a trek for our stake.

As a missionary I picked this up in Italy in 1995.

This is just a small example of all the ornaments we have.

Gifts symbolize the gift of Eternal Life.  Christ's atonement was a gift to us.  The gift might also remind us of the gifts of spirit that all should earnestly seek.  Our giving gifts to others remind us that all our work should be helping others to receive the gift of eternal life through the atonement

22 days left - Festival of Trees

Day 3 - The Christmas before my mom passed away she had her dream Christmas.  All her kids were home and she had a tree that was flocked white and decorated with maroon silk balls, pink lights and mirrors.  She wanted the Christmas to be fantastic and she succeeded.  In her quest to create this memorable event we began to visit the local floral shop where they had beautiful trees on display.  I remember walking downstairs and being enveloped with the smells of evergreens.  It was magical with the lights and flowers and decorations of all kinds.  My mom took me with her as she searched for the things to complete that Christmas season.  I was already in love with the holiday, but in the months that led up to the Christmas of 1984 it became a part of my mother that has stayed with me.  I think that is why I love today.  We drove to Pocatello and visited their Festival of Trees in the Stevens Preforming Arts building.

Then we went to lunch at a place that we found on the internet, it was literally the only business on the street, the kids weren't to sure about going in, but we did and oh man we are talking some good rootbeer and fantastic pizza.  Good choice.

Red symbolizes the Atonement.  The blood of Christ was shed to atone for the sins of all mankind.

23 days left - Polar Express movie

Day 2 - This is one of my favorite days.  We have been watching the Polar Express with popcorn and M&M's for a few years now.  And seriously it is one of those days that I look forward to.  The kids all get their blankets and pillows and make beds on the floor and then we turn the movie on while I pop popcorn and add the M&M's.  There is something about the simplicity of it all that adds to the magic.

Joseph reminds us of the love we can have for one another.  He cared for Mary and cared for Christ.

24 days left - Symbols of Christmas

So the journey begins, Day 1, each drawer of this cute little box contains a small ornament and a reminder of how we can remember Christ in all aspects of Christmas.  The kids were pretty excited when they realized that every time they unwrapped a present they would get to open a drawer too.  

We place special stockings out at Christmas within which Santa puts gifts.  Stockings cover our feet.  Our feet symbolize the course of life we take.  The stockings therefore can symbolize that our path of life should lead us to the gift Christ has given to all men, even eternal life.