I know it's only the third day in,

but...

something is happening to me!

Each morning when I open a gift, it's like I'm seeing a piece from the nativity for the first time, first of all, they are about the cutest little figurines ever, I read the scripture that goes along with it and all day long I catch myself thinking about that piece for the day....

like the first day was the little sheppard boy,

he was carrying a walking stick and a lantern to help light his way, I thought about his sweetness and pure humbleness that must of been in his heart to follow the star to meet a baby that he'd never met before but that he probably loved already.

don't we find ourselves in the same situations sometimes?

and don't you find so much symbolism in each piece?

you see, I have about 8-9 Nativity sets, all different and unique,

I try to collect a different one each year,

my mom surprised me and sent me one a few weeks ago,

and the one thing I asked for this year was a big one,

I told Kurt if we played our cards right we could get one the day after Christmas on the big sales, that's beside the point,

but, my point is......

I've never gotten a Nativity one piece at a time and it's really allowing me time to think about each piece, and even maybe some of the thoughts and feelings that each person might have thought or had been feeling who played a role at the time that our dear little Savior was born.

Today I opened number 3....

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

~a donkey~

This gift is doing exactly what my visiting teacher intended for it to do,

it's really bringing me the tenderness of what Christmas is all about!

which is a blessing in itself...

after I had all my decorations up this year,

I thought it looked all pretty and such, but I knew what was missing, I could feel it,

I was missing the spirit and love of what Christmas should be all about, so I made a mental note to myself that I would have to bring that special Christmas feeling and spirit into our home....

Don't ya just love when your prayers are answered!

On the second day of Christmas,

my visiting teachers gave to me.....

~Mary~

with another scripture that says,

"To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."

Luke 2: 5-6

I am grateful for my visiting teachers,

not only for this gift,

but

a few months ago my vacuum broke,

I hadn't vacuumed for a week, I hate cleaning toilets, but I do love to vacuum,

so not being able to was ugggh---

when my V.T. ask me what she could do for me,

the words, "can I borrow your vacuum" spurted out of my mouth before I even realized what I had said,

a few days later there she is with two vacuums in hand!

she brought hers and even barrowed one from her neighbor,

I vacuumed the upstairs and she vacuumed my downstairs

and we knocked it out in no time at all!!!

see.....

I told you I was grateful for my Visiting Teachers.

.

.

.

.

I get to see Kurt in a few more hours

and

it's been 6 years today since we've seen Steve...

It was fun to open my first gift early this morning, and get this....

it was a little shepherd boy, with a scripture from Luke 2:4 that read;

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem"

(because he was of the house and lineage of David)

I have a good feeling about this and it did tug at my heart...

I am indeed looking forward to the next 9 days,

I'll keep ya posted.

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner, as in next week,

am I the only one who isn't finished with Christmas shopping,

truth be told, I haven't started...

altho, that's a scary thought, I know that next week, I'll be able to knock it all out...

Tomorrow,

the kids get out early for Christmas break,

I got out the card table today and set up the 750 piece puzzle,

it's a crazy puzzle that has so much small details,

we actually started it last year,

we'll see how far we get this season...

doing a puzzle is just one of those fun family traditions,

it's also so tedious that it gives the kids something to do over the break besides fight.

We're still waiting to hear word about the Utah job,

it's still up in the air but I'm feeling calm and content about the whole thing!

which has surprised me...

I am seriously thinking about homeschooling Lynzie for the second half of the school year???

she wants too...

there's pro's and con's of course,

but, nowadays it's such a popular thing, that it's made easier to do,

and I don't worry about Lynzie cuz she is a self-starter,

and loves to learn.

Kurt should be getting home in the next day or two,

and everyone is looking forward to Christmas,

of course, getting gifts is the best, but spending family time together is priceless to us these days,

it always makes me laugh cuz Kurt is like a celebrity when he comes home,

even little Sadie bids for his time and attention!

we all miss Kurt so much during the week while he's gone.

Oh, we'll try again sometime this week to do family pictures,

I've had to cancel two times already between every one's busy schedule

and it's killing me not to have them done already,

but....

I'm going to do them no matter what,

so just expect our family Christmas wishes later,

instead of sooner!

Caitlyn's 17th birthday is Sunday,

we'll be celebrating on Saturday and I have a few fun surprises up my sleeve for her!

We sure love her!

I've been having a bit of a maple donut problem the last few mornings....

those things are just toooo good!

yep

Yesterday,

this little basket of gifts was dropped off at my home,

and was waiting for me when I walked in the door,

with a cute little note that read.....

How fun is that!!!!

I seriously about pee'd my pants with the thought of getting to open a gift for

10 days in a row!

10 days people, how exciting is that!

What other mom gets to do that???

I never have!

10......10 gifts of love....

thank you Amy and Shona!

sweet. sweeter. sweetest.

.

???

Oh, don't mind me,

I'm just sitting here looking at homes for sale in Utah...

it.just.might.happen!

.