The most wonderful day of the year!

Christmas day is always such a magical day. This year was definitely different for more reasons than one, but especially since it was our first Christmas after having moved out of state. My dad and brother drove all day to be with us; I was so happy to see them both. But, I wasn't feeling well. None of us really were. I had been throwing up the week prior, and I woke up on Christmas with body aches and a raging fever. My husband had a headache and the aches, and my brother had a terrible cold. I tried my very best to be a good hostess, and an enthusiastic mama for my baby's first Christmas experience, but still I felt awful! My dad and my sweet husband laid their hands upon my head and offered up a priesthood blessing that I might heal. And then it hit me: Christmas isn't about the gifts, the food, the tree... we hear that all the time. It isn't even about the songs or the retelling of our saviors birth. What I felt was that Christmas is about reflecting on the gift that the whole world received in the form of a sweet baby boy all those years ago. It is about coming unto Him; needing Him. Then, about giving Him credit and being filled with gratitude towards Him for all of the wonderful blessings in our lives, including the health that I so daily take for granted. I know our savior lives. I know He loves us. I know He is aware of us and cares about what we are experiencing. I know that He provided a way for us to experience true happiness and to return to live with our Heavenly parents again.

On a more commercial note, and all illness aside, Christmas morning was lovely! Our guests were a little dismayed about the early morning wake up call...

Our little girl surprised me by not being all that interested in tearing open her presents, but she did rather enjoy climbing on her Christmas gifts and sitting atop the pile.

We are so grateful to all the friends and family who sent us presents! When our daughter gets excited she pulls herself up to kneeling position in front of whatever is making her happy and just bounces and bounces. She sure loves her new toys!!!

We all went to Church in the afternoon and enjoyed the testimonies spoken and the songs sung. The children's beautiful, loud, voices bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them sing! I made the little skirt that our daughter wore (here's how). Little girls are just so much fun to dress up!