Tis the Season....

For beautiful lights and bright shiny bows. For snowy evenings and warm hot chocolate. For crazy shoppers and chaotic stores. For kids to dream of the great gifts that Santa will bring. For the rush to get that last minute "perfect" present. For Christmas caroling and Christmas movies.  For sugar cookies, candy canes, and chocolate covered cherries. For trees covered in enchanting ornaments. For stockings to be hung and new pj's to be worn...

But...
It's also the season to recognize miracles. To count blessings. To spend special moments with friends and family. To celebrate Christmas traditions. To give unselfishly and lovingly. To love with your whole heart. To spread excitement....and feel like a giddy little kid again. To see lives changed be simple acts of kindness.  And most of all.....it's the season to remember.

To remember that one person who at-one-moment came into the world and forever changed the course of our lives. Who gave everything He had, holding nothing back. Who saw our pains...heartaches....and rough patches, and still believed in us...knowing we were strong enough to make it through.

I absolutely love this time of year. And not just because I'm enthralled by bright happy lights or won over with a cup of warm hot chocolate. (Though...those are definitely important..especially if the hot chocolate includes marshmallows) Even just the feeling around this time is amazing. People just seem so much....happier. So eager to feel of that Christmas magic.I think some of that magic comes from seeing the little miracles that we each take for granted sometimes.

So here is to all the little miracles in my life...the good and the bad...that make up who I am. Though that entails being slightly quirky, easily excited, and hardly ever wearing matching socks....I'm still happy with that. And here's to the amazing Christmas season with it's great lights, treats and happiness....for the way it touches each of our lives. How amazing would it be if people kept even a little bit of Christmas throughout the year? I'm certain world peace would result. Ok..ok...that was just an idealistic exaggeration..you caught me..

Wherever you are....Merry Christmas!!! Enjoy it! Even the moments when you accidentally burn the sugar cookies, get covered in flour, or completely mess up wrapping presents. And don't forget...you can never be too old to feel like a little kid again with bursts of excitement in your stomach (too graphic? maybe so)

 P.S. It's still my goal to see the lights at Temple Square this year! I know...gasp...I haven't seen them yet...but I will!