I think I'm cured. Like really.

I have not leaked.

Urine.

All week.

{smile}

I started my period.

It is normal.

{smile}

Never.

And I mean Never.

Did I ever imagine.

That I would be so happy.

To menstruate.

But I am.

Happy.

{smile}

God is Good.

God is Great.

Miracles Happen.

{smile}

2012 is shaping up to be a Great Year.

Fabulous Year.

Exciting Year.

Adventurous Year.

Healthy Year.

Simpler Year.

Less expensive Year.

{smile}

I am happy.

p.s.

For any new reader's that might be puzzled by my menstruating gratitude, 

2011 has been an interesting year. 

My bladder was bisected during an emergency c-section. It was completely cut in half.

It did not heal correctly.

I had a fistula (tunnel or hole connecting two organs) form

between my bladder and my uterus.

I have had chronic infections due to this hole.

It lead to urine leaking out through my Uterus,

and to my periods emptying through my bladder.

I know. Weird.

But I think I'm cured.

Like REALLY.

Two weeks ago a man named

Dr. Vernon Cahoon

changed my life.

This man gave me BACK

my life.

How can I possibly ever repay him.

I can't.

My Hero.

Wednesday: Did You Know?

1. Christmas is amazing. I can't believe how much I love ribbon, wrapping paper, and family.  The kids love it too and Kate and Sawyer had so much fun decorating Papa. My dad is a kid at heart and is so patient with the kids. Isn't he cute!

 2. How cute is Sawyer rolling out the cookie dough that came in {this amazing Christmas Cookie Basket from the Folkman's}. You have to check out the link. It is the cutest Christmas Gift idea I've ever seen. Rachel is a genius, just like her mother and always puts together amazing theme ideas. It blew my mind, and my kids were the ones that benefited from the great gift. They had so much fun making and decorating cookies with Nana.

3. Before we left Utah on Tuesday, we hit up the Quicksilver store in Provo. Everything was 75% off and we scored. My favorite purchase was this flannel shirt for Sawyer. Oh my heavens I am in love with it. It cost me a Whopping 2 bucks. So cute.

4. I'm going to stop talking as much about my medical issues. There will be a few more posts, but I'm sure you are all sick of hearing about 'poor' me. So here it is. It is two weeks post surgery and I am FABULOUS!!! I can't believe how good I am. Miracle after Miracle have gotten me here and I feel so blessed to be doing so well. The worst part of the entire surgery was my rash, and the first time they filled up my bladder with fluid.

My catheter got a hole in the bag the night before I had it removed and so I had to double bag it with grocery bags. SO GROSS!!! But pretty funny.

I am TUBE free, PAIN free and I have no holes in my bladder or uterus that aren't supposed to be there! AMAZING! I feel so blessed.

5. Scott and I laid in bed last night while Sawyer was sleeping on the floor. (This happens a lot. Don't ask.) He started telling  us jokes and we were laughing so hard. I can't believe that he is almost 3. I have enjoyed him so much. Everything that he says or does is just magic. I sure have a soft spot for him in my heart. I love all my kids so much, but every mom should have a Sawyer.

6. Today, when I put Kate's hair up in pig tails I made her promise me that she would wash her hair tomorrow. It has seriously been a week since she washed her hair. Gross. She sure clean's up cute though.

7. Wyatt is getting really mobile and really brave. This is him yelling at me for trapping him in the living room with stools. I'm not sure what to do with him. He is everywhere. He is hilarious. And really smiley, as long as he is roaming free.

8. Scott left the house today and exclaimed "we are going to a family movie tonight if the house is clean when I get home." I know that this incentive was for the kids...but good grief, that is still a lot of pressure on me. I better get busy!

9. On Monday, Kimm, Nana and the clan took me and my Catheter to see A Dolphin's Tale (my first public outing with my pee). I cried about 10 times.  I dreamed of being a dolphin trainer as a child and still have a love for the Sea and it's creatures. Great movie. Scott ended up driving the two babies (yes I still call Sawyer my baby) around in the car for most of the movie. Thanks Scott.

10. My first night without my catheter and my first night with a working bladder I had to use the bathroom about every 45 minutes. This is worse than pregnancy. I literally felt like I was going to the bathroom all night long. (TMI I know!) Anyway, tell your bladder that you love it!

How was your Christmas?

What is the longest your daughter has gone without washing her hair?

Do you have a extra soft spot for any of your children?

Wise Men Still Seek Him by Gentri Lee

(This is a guest post written by {Gentri Lee}. Make sure to visit her blog. You will be glad you did!)

It's funny that we have to "find" Christ in Christmas. Why did we lose Him?

Without Him- there would be no Christmas.

We get so caught up in the gift giving that we forget the most important gift that was ever given- His life, for ours. I am a Mormon- a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We believe in the Bible, but we also believe in The Book of Mormon. It is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ- another witness that He did indeed live.

Have you ever wondered what it was like in other parts of the world? In the Book of Mormon we learn from Nephi, an ancient American Prophet, what the first Christmas was like in the Americas. Christs birth had been prophesied by many Prophets. In the 3rd book of Nephi, we learn of one- Samuel the Lamanite, who told of Christs birth 5 years before His coming. He stood on a wall and preached the words God had commanded him. He told of how on the night of Christs birth it would be as if it were day and that a new star would rise. As he stood on the wall and spoke these words men cast arrows at him- but they could not hit him.

  Heleman 14: 2-3 &5  2. And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on His name. 3. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of His coming, for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before He cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. 5. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you."

5 years had almost passed and those unbelievers began to rejoice. They set apart a day where all those who believed Samuels words should be put to death- lest the signs should come. The believers were steadfast, and Nephi began to pray to the Lord in behalf of his people, and the Lord answered him...

  3rd Nephi 1:13-15 & 21  13. Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I unto the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. 14.... And behold the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. 15. And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. 21. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.

 Christmas was celebrated all over the world then, and is celebrated all over the world now. Let us remember WHY we celebrate. It is because our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer came to earth to redeem us from our sins. To show us how to live, and to die so that we could live with Him forever. 

 Let us be like the Wise men of old- and seek Him out this Christmas season, and always. 

For "wise men still seek Him."

Love, Gentri

Mom Guilt

It is officially Day 10 of Scott taking care of EVERYTHING and me doing NOTHING. 


The mom guilt is killing me. 


Never have I wanted to do laundry, the dishes, or change diapers more.


I am recovering really well. Actually I think remarkably well. However, I am not suppose to really do anything. I can walk around and that is about it. Do you know how hard it is to keep myself from doing things. Especially picking up my sweet baby Wyatt when he is crying and looking right into my eyes. It takes all of my restraint.


Scott took off with the kids today and I haven't seen him in about 4 hours. He has been so wonderful. I always brag about how amazing he is...but he really is so amazing. He can do it ALL. And he has been so kind and wonderful through this whole ordeal. And for a guy to look lovingly at his wife while she is holding her own bag of urine...that says something folks!!!

This picture isn't the best quality, but it just perfectly illustrates Scott's role in this family. He is the Center. He makes sense out of all of our jumbled quirks and our family just works because of him. His focus is our family. It always has been and I know it always will be. He finds so much joy in being a Father and I love him so much.


I am amazed at how wonderful the hard times can be.  I've been forced to slow down and completely stop being a mom, or at least the majority of my mom roles. But my sweet hubs has taken over in every way and I love him. 


Do you hear that? I love you Scotty.

Applying The Atonement by Mara of A Blog About Love

(This is a guest post written by Mara of A Blog About Love. Mara blogs about infertility, marriage, divorce, living in New York City, Faith, Fashion and so much more. Her blog is spoken in such honesty. I adore her and I know you will too.)

Breathe, breathe, breathe.......

Is anyone feeling the holidays caving in on them?

Parties.  What to wear.  Last minute gifts.  Events to fit in.  Babysitters to find.  Crafts to complete.  Treats to make & deliver.  House guests to plan for.  Meals to prepare.  Luggage to pack.  Flights to take with babies.  And making sure that all your loved ones feel loved.

I actually felt a smidget of this holiday stress myself tonight.  I sure did.  

So how do I keep Christ in Christmas?

I do it the same way I try to remember Christ every single day of the year....

I try to turn around all negative emotions.  And I'm talking about the ones in my heart.  Cause those are the ones that matter......such as.....

-Fear of never getting pregnant.

-Anxiety about justifying not working full-time right now.

-Stress that creeps in when I don't accomplish all that I want to do in one day.

-Feeling bad because I haven't really even decorated for Christmas this year. :)

-Wondering if I can pull off a big party at my house this weekend.

Every thought or feeling in our heart either blocks the oneness with Christ or allows us to vibrate with His same light.  I finally decided to start practicing turning all my negative thoughts around into love, hope, faith & charity....and I've done it.  If you think hard enough, you can do it, too...doesn't matter how great the trial.  And it's through the Atonement of Christ that we even have the opportunity to turn things around again and again and again.  By some miracle, a few years ago at the lowest point in my life, I figured this out.  I consciously started applying the Atonement and I haven't stopped since.  Doing this has helped me to face 7 years of ongoing infertility, an unexpected divorce, the ups and downs of starting HARVEY FAIRCLOTH, and very challenging & unique circumstances associated with living & working in New York City.  I now know how to tap into the peace available to me at any given moment.  And every time I do so, I have the privilege of feeling more & more at one with Christ.  It has led to more happiness than I can even describe.  And one of the best side effects ever:  being in a place to meet & marry the most loving man I could imagine.

So during this Christmas season, when stress can be at an all-time high, I remind myself that the Atonement applies to this silly stress, too.  Ugh.  How ridiculous that we actually need to apply the Atonement because we are stressed out about celebrating His birth.  Ha!  :)  But, that is how beautiful the Atonement is.  It applies to everything.  It applies to all our weaknesses.  And by choosing to apply it, we can keep Christ in Christmas.....and in e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that we do.

Merry Christmas to one & all!

Mara

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make sure to visit Mara over at

A Blog About Love

Here With Us by Sara of August Fields

(This guest post was written by Sara over at {August Fields}. Sara has documented her beautiful home being built and decorated from the ground up. Her beautiful style blows my mind. She is a DIYer and she also Home Schools her 5 children. Just wait until you see her School Room just off her kitchen. Make sure to stop by and visit her blog.)

Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ was always emphasized as the true meaning of Christmas during my childhood.

I grew up in a Christian home and in 7th grade, gave my life to the Lord.  Believing that I am saved by grace alone, sets me apart from many world religions.  Knowing that Jesus IS my savior, that He pursued ME is at times beyond comprehensible.

We would put up a tree, exchange beautifully wrapped presents, play Christmas music and many other traditional traditions. (which we still do!) Yet, that was all in addition to, and layered around the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Today, my relationship with Jesus has continued to strengthen and my children too know and love to celebrate Jesus at Christmas. We spend time doing advent devotions, setting up our nativity.

This truth, that GOD came DOWN, for you and for me, is astounding, revealing and remarkable.

The words of this song, sung by Joy Williams, speaks clearly to the significance of Christmas.  I challenge you to read these words carefully and allow them to penetrate your soul.  I've also included a youtube video to hear the recording.

Here With Us:

It's still a mystery to me 
That the hands of God could be so small, 
How tiny fingers reaching in the night 
Were the very hands that measured the sky 

Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King, 
You're here with us 
You're here with us 

It's still a mystery to me, oh, 
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time 
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony, 
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep 

Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King 
Here with us 
You're here with us 
(Ohh, mmm, here with us) 

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem 
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man 

Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world 
Hallelujah, hallelujah 
Son of God, Servant King 
You're here with us 
You're here with us 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please visit Sara at

{August Fields}

Post-Op Thoughts...Lot's and Lot's

• Waking up from surgery and seeing Scott and my parents huddled in the corner with tears in their eyes was a moment in time I will never forget. Oh the blessed state of being alive!!!
• It is such a relief to have the surgery behind me. I will be very grateful to never have to stay in the hospital again. Ever. Never. Ever.
• It is funny realizing that the surgery has been way less painful than I thought it would be.
• I am also realizing that it is going to be a much longer recovery than I anticipated. When they said I wouldn't be lifting anything for 6 weeks they weren't kidding. I have two babies people. How am I going to make it?

• I tried so hard to read, sleep, watch movies, and blog, but I was a  total zombie. I couldn't do anything. My mind was a wasteland. The whole thing so far is one big blur.
• I was so grateful for visitors while I was in the hospital. I wish I would have had more visits. I can't believe how much it helped having people stop by.
• The surgery ended up taking 5 hours and I feel so bad for Scott who had to wait and wait and wait with no word from the Doctors.
• Dr. Cahoon explained the entire surgery to me in great detail after I woke up from the Anesthesia and I have no recollection of this whatsoever.
• Getting poked by nurses who can't find your veins is really annoying. And painful.

• This Bair Paws Machine is AMAZING and I wish I had one at home. It blows warm air out of a hose and I put it under my blankets and it kept me super comfortable and warm. Where was this machine when I had spinal meningitis?
• This was my first hospital visit ever where all the buttons on my bed worked. The TV remote worked, the lights worked, and even the rolling table worked with no problems. Luxury I tell you.
• If I had to say one bad thing about my stay it would be the food. They didn't have a menu. I really like when I get to plan what I eat instead of mystery meals just being brought in.

• This picture is Ashley. She is like a sister to me and she works at the hospital. After her shift she came in and helped me change, walk around my room for the first time. She was a great blessing to me and I love her so much. She was made to be a nurse. 

• Can you tell how stoned I am in this picture. My eyes were barely able to stay open, I couldn't focus on anything and I felt like I was flying. Those are strong drugs my friends. Strong.
• I had two catheters after the surgery and one drainage tube. I still have one catheter and it comes out of my stomach and it is really freaky. I have to carry it around with me and Sawyer calls it my "ewe, yukky poop bag". This makes me feel really loved. There is nothing worse than carrying around your own pee bag. EXCEPT for carrying around your own pee bag that isn't working. (Like last time. That was super painful.)

• Come one. Tell me how bad you wish you could carry around your own urine? When was the last time you told your bladder how much your loved it? Bladders are awesome. Bags of pee are not.
• My biggest worry was being able to go #2. I have had success. Nough' Said.

• I love Michael Buble. Love him. Not as much as my friend Laurel loves him, but he is most excellent. I rocked to his Christmas tunes while I was in the hospital. It helped.

• I have a beautiful 7 inch long incision that starts at by belly button and goes down, down, down. It is lovely. NOT.

• And seroiusly, NOTHING has made me feel better than having my sister JENNA put on these eyelash extensions. I love them. They make me feel feminine and girly, and a little bit less like an ugly jigsaw puzzle. BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER JENNA. I LOVE YOU.

• The only complication that I have had is an allergic reaction to the glue and tape they used on my incision. It is completely scabbed over with blisters and such. It hurts and itches and looks terrible. 
• I've been taking Benedryl for the allergies and I have slept for the past three days straight. I have slept all day and all night. LITERALLY. 
• My Mother-in-law Shawna has taken over the care of everything at my house. EVERYTHING. Remember I told you that I have been sleeping for 3 days straight. She is remarkable.
• My friends and neighbors have taken care of all the food and meals so far. They are the best people in the world and I can't believe that I lucked out getting to live next to them.

Well, I am making it through this. It hasn't been easy. I will be happy when the catheter is taken out on Tuesday. For now I have given up all Christmas goals and ideas and projects. They just aren't going to happen. It is okay. I feel closer to my Savior than ever before. More aware of his mighty power and love for his children. More aware of his love for me, and his willingness to bear my afflictions.

I am so blessed. I am so humbled. I am so grateful.

I am alive. I am ticking.

And pretty soon I will be back to normal. And I will have to try a lot harder to remember where I have been, and what I have been through. But I am determined to remember these lessons, these little nuggets of wisdom, the gratitude for life that I have been given.

I am most likely not making sense, I am on drugs, remember?

But I am so blessed.

Remember that.

Love to  you all!!!!

PS. I've missed you. How are you all doing?

Joy To The World by Christina Felt

fantastic holiday card via The Wheatfield

As far as Christmas hymns go, Joy to the World has become one of my favorites. I can’t sing it without hearing a full choir and orchestra in my head, I can’t sing it without feeling like I’m proclaiming the greatest truths of the gospel to the world, and I can’t sing it without tearing up as my heart is full with the joy I feel knowing that my Savior HAS come and the He WILL come again. 


In the first verse of Joy to the World, one phrase that always hits me is “let every heart prepare him room.” I've thought a lot about what that means. It’s significant to me because although there were no inns with room for the Savior, we all have the opportunity to make room for Him in our hearts, always, but especially at the Christmas season. 


Several years ago I had a light-bulb moment regarding how the holiday season works together to testify of Christ- I become grateful and my heart is softened at Thanksgiving, my heart turns to my Savior at Christmas and I long to become more like Him which prepares me to make goals at the New Year to repent and improve. I then realized that I didn't want to wait until the New Year to improve (although I’m sure I’ll take stock then and set goals once again), but I wanted to give my own gift to the Savior throughout the Christmas season. I wanted to prepare my heart to have room for Him. As I have made room in my heart for Christ, I have become aware of changes I need to make so that He can have room to dwell there and be comfortable in doing so. It's been a humbling process, but one that has brought me great joy. I loved the following excerpt from these remarks by Henry B. Eyring. It's changed my perspective greatly.

"Jesus gave his gift freely, willingly to us all. He said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself” (John 10:17–18). I bear testimony that as we accept that gift, given through infinite sacrifice, it brings joy to the giver. Jesus taught, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).  If that warms you as it does me, you may well want to give a gift to the Savior. But he seems to have everything, doesn’t he? Well, not quite. He doesn’t have all of us with him again, forever—not yet. I hope we are touched enough by the feelings of his heart to sense how much he wants to know each of us is coming home to him. We can’t give that gift to him in one day or in one Christmas. But we could show him today that we are on the way.  If we have already done that, there is still something left to give. All around us are people he loves, and he wants to help them—through us. One of the sure signs of a person who has accepted the gift of the Savior’s atonement is a willingness to give. The process of cleansing our lives seems to make us more sensitive, more generous, more pleased to share what means so much to us. I suppose that’s why the Savior used an example of gift-giving in describing who would finally come home to him: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. … “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:34–36, 40).  And that, I suppose, is the nicest effect of receiving great gifts: it makes us want to give and give well. I’ve been blessed all my life by such gifts. I acknowledge that. Many of those gifts were given long ago... And so what shall we do to appreciate and to give a merry Christmas? “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). I pray that we will freely give. I pray that we will be touched by the feelings of others, that we will give without feelings of compulsion or expectation of gain, and that we will know that sacrifice is made sweet to us when we treasure the joy it brings to another heart."

This year as a family we've discussed together the gifts we want to give to our Savior this season.  We have been working hard to sacrifice and to fulfill those promises.  It has brought us closer to each other with that common goal, but more importantly it has brought us closer to Christ as we celebrate Him.  ----

Christina is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who loves to be inspired and is always working to become a better person.   She has been blogging since 2007, but earlier this year she changed venues.  Christina now blogs at Bee a Little Better where she shares her journey of self-improvement as well as lessons learned caring for her dad when he suffered a massive stroke days after the birth of her third child.        

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spirit Of Service by Aarean

{This post was written by my new friend Aarean. Find her {here}!

I absolutely, positively love this time of year. The food, the decorations, the family getting together...the music, the colorful trees and ornaments... It's all so wonderful! How easy it is to forget (and yes we hear this phrase so often...) "the true meaning of Christmas". When Erin asked if I would share some ways that I try to remember Christ during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I was thrilled. For the mere fact that amongst the gift wrapping, the shopping, or blogging about my latest Christmas projects, etc...it forced me to take a step back and re-prioritize.

Of course, one of my favorite things to do, especially during Christmas, is to read the story of Christ's birth (found in Luke). But, my favorite thing about this time of year is the spirit of service that radiates through so many. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and service is a huge part of what we believe. Like our Savior said, "Verily, I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brothers, ye have done it unto me."

During this this time of year, the greatest thing I can do in remembering Christ is to be of Service. Making Christmas cookies for my neighbors. Cooking a holiday meal for a friend. Helping out at a food drive, or simply donating goods to a local charity. All of these things are simple ways to serve, and it is a true reminder to me of what this season is all about. There is so much joy and satisfaction is service, when we forget ourselves and focus on others...there is no better way to remember our Savior then by serving. I truly, truly believe that!

Merry Christmas to you all...may you find service to be a beautiful reminder of Christ during this special time of year!

xoxo

Aarean

editor of Color Issue

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aarean is an incredible designer and shares her knowledge of color on her blog

{Color Issue}

You really DO NOT want to pass up her blog.

You just don't.

Hop over there and be inspired.

Pre-Op Thoughts

• I let the kids pack their own clothes. I hope they packed underwear.

• I sat Dylan and Kate down and told them how much I love being their mom. I told them that if God ever decided he needed me in heaven, to make sure that Scott found a beautiful, kind new wife. Dylan said, "like a step mom?" and I said "No, a REAL mom? And you would be super lucky to have two moms". He said, "ya two moms is great, but one mom is better if it is you." this made my heart smile. It was kind of a mature conversation, but I felt better for getting my wishes out there.

• I'm looking forward to hospital food. Is that weird?  

• I started crying when I was praying for my Surgeons. I was expressing how much they would be blessing my life if they could fix the problems and I completely lost it. How cool would it be to truly be able to change someone's life like that for good? Pretty awesome. 

• Scott is the best husband in the entire world. He helped me so much today and he knew just what to say. I love him. 

• Hoping that tomorrow I have one less hole in my bladder and one less hole in my Uterus. Fingers crossed. 

• Best case scenario I stop leaking fluids from all the wrong places and I get to have another baby. 

• Hoping the incision from my belly button down to my pubic bone isn't too hideous. 

• Grateful that the hospital is close to my parents house. 

• Grateful for my faith, my friends, my family, my husband, my children. 

• Watched an amazing documentary last night called Buck. Now all I can think of is riding horses

• I am blessed. 

I will check in tomorrow and let you know how it went. 

I love you all.

A No List Christmas Wish by Krista Smith

This post is written by Krista Smith who blogs over at{Saturated Canary}

Christmas makes me feel very much like a kid again.  My mom and dad always made it so special for the four of us kids.  We had so many fun traditions…little things that added up to make a truly wonderful, exciting month.  We lived right next to a Christmas tree farm, so cutting our own tree down was a blast. Some years my dad was working, and my mom and us kids would go over and choose one ourselves.  Always too big to fit into our little house.  It would pop all the ceiling tiles out…pine needles would be through the whole place…and we ended up drenched in sweat and sap trying to get the tree to stand upright in the tree stand.  Still, I love those memories…all the family pieces that still make my heart skip a beat when December rolls around.

I grew up in a Christian home, so our Christmas holidays were always centered around Jesus' birth.  We still did the whole Santa thing…and I still do for my children (who are both avid Santa believers:), but the Reason we celebrate is forefront in our hearts and minds.  

I understand that some families choose not to include the Santa aspect in their Christmas celebrations.  I totally respect that.  For my husband and myself, we love the building excitement through the month, the cookies set out on Christmas Eve, and little notes the kids write to Santa…I save them all.  (I can't pull them out without getting all sappy:).  I follow my parents example in how to include the holiday festivities without loosing focus on Christ.  There were never any Christmas lists.  No handing Santa a ranked toy wish-list for him to check off on Christmas morning.  We were only allowed to ask for one thing.

My kids know they can choose one thing each year.  There is never an argument or question.  They don't even blink an eye when other kiddies talk about their lists.  For them, it has always been one thing.  They know it cannot be very, very expensive (because that gives Santa the impression they are taking advantage:).  They know it cannot be real (we don't do puppies in boxes.  hubby would have a fit:).  They both pick one reasonable toy each year. I love how the limiting of their requests makes the one they choose that much more special.  

We have had Santa's ask, Is that all??  And my kiddos simply reply, yes.  (It is funny to see a puzzled look on Santa's face.)  The One-Wish rule keeps our children grounded and keeps the One Gift that we received in Bethlehem forefront in their little minds.    It is a nice reminder and reality check, that Christmas is about so much more than the number of gifts and stacks of toys.  Santa is a sweet guy, and he always brings them a couple extras:).  We have a few special gifts for our children as well.  But everything on Christmas morning is appreciated and received with thankful hands.  I think overwhelming children with toys, especially as Christians, floods their ability to value and appreciate each present.  And it removes time and space in their hearts for remembering Christ that day.  

So we choose to keep the presents reasonable.

  To believe in Santa.  

To keep Christ first. 

 To show our children that Christmas

 is about giving.  

About being thankful for traditions and memories.  

And to allow them one wish.  

Which is a nice conversation starter about 

the One Gift we received on 

Christmas all those years ago.

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You can check on Krista over here at the


{Saturated Canary}

Again, I just want to thank you all so much for your participation and enthusiasm for 

Finding Christ in Christmas.

Letting the Christ-child in & a Christmas Blog Hop

This post is written by Jocelyn Christensen  who blogs at
{We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ}

In our family, we have a lot of traditions that ground us in the true meaning of Christmas, but one tradition in particular is quite beautiful and you don't need to purchase anything extra in order to do it in your own family!


We call it "Letting the Christ-child in."  It is a very simple and can be very meaningful.


According to my mother, the tradition originated with her maternal grandparents who were members of the Church of England.  They had a very late church service on Christmas eve and afterward, as a family they would walk home, singing carols as they went.   Arriving just about midnight, they opened the door to their home to "let in the Christ child" as they re-entered their home and then opened their gifts.   


For generations now, my family and I have also opened our Christmas gifts at midnight Christmas eve, but ALWAYS, we open the doors of our house FIRST to let the Christ-child in.

I have fond memories of one parent standing at the back door of our house and the other parent (with children racing behind them) scurrying to open the front door.  Simultaneously, both doors are opened, allowing a crisp winter breeze to sweep through the house.  As a child, I remember imagining a young Christ-child wandering through the house for that brief, thrilling, magical moment.

After we have figuratively let the Christ child in, we begin our celebrating, gift-giving, and partaking of party food!  


You do not have to wake up at midnight to start this tradition in your family...just open your doors and your hearts to the Christ child this season.


I am thankful for the Christmas season, and for the gift of good family traditions that help us learn about, celebrate, and center our lives on the Savior, Jesus Christ.  I hope that you will experience His presence and love where ever you are and however you choose to celebrate this Christmas.  

Merry Christmas!

If you have a Christmas Post you would like to link up please do it here. This Blog Hop is being hosted by Jocelyn over at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ.