It's Chrissm Eve!

I have been thinking a lot this year about the wonderful fact that if there was no Easter, there would be no Christmas. Christmas isn't just a celebration of the birth of a baby, it's the celebration of the life of that baby and that baby's ultimate mission - to be our Savior.

I was blessed enough to sing the following song when I was at BYU and I have never found another way to more accurately express my feelings about Christmas. Music like this puts my soul into focus and helps me feel the divinity in me and in those with whom I sing. It's an indescribable experience.

This is just the audio recording. I've included the lyrics to read while you listen (it's best with earbuds in).

Carol of Joy
lyrics by Eileen Berry and music by Dan Forrest Jr.

Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky.
Lengthening shadows,
Dark closing in...

Then, through the stillness, carols begin!

Oh fallen world, to you is the song--
Death holds you fast and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy!
Sweet to your ears, a carol of Joy!
Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep, empty valley veiled by the night;
Hear angel music--hopeful and bright!
Oh fearful world, to you is the song--
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound--

A carol of joy!

A Saviour is found!

Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
Look up sad hearted--witness God's love!
Join in the carol swelling above!
Oh friendless world, to you is the song!
All Heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn--
Oh fallen world!
Oh fearful world!
Oh friendless world!

To you,

A Saviour is born!

I know He came, He lived, and He redeemed us. I am humbled by His example and grateful for His love. I hope you're able to feel of that love and take time to reflect on what His life means to you this Christmas.

Love,
Tiffany

If the world is ending we are going to enjoy the global warming while we can

Some pictures from last week:

Mommyschool does Christmas

We made some fun play dough to start our study of the letter C this week - for candy canes and Christmas. Red and white and peppermint oil and glitter!!!!! Equals CHRISM!!!!!

I just love her serious concentration.

Nerd Alert

Tiny human fell asleep with a book in her hand. Love it.

Holiday Confusion

Christmas with Ava is finally fun this year! YAY!

It was hard to explain to her at first. Because of Halloween, she thinks all holidays are about getting dressed up and asking for "canny" (candy). The conversation went a little like this:

Me: Ava, do you know what we celebrate on Christmas?
Ava: CANNY!! AND TRICK OR TREAT!!
Me: No, that's Halloween. On Christmas we celebrate Jesus.
Ava: JESUS!
Me: That's right, Christmas is Jesus' birthday!
Ava: JESUS CANNY!!!

It has taken a few more conversations, 2 nativity FHEs, lots of picture books, and "The Polar Express" movie (which is actually kind of creepy) but I think she has grasped the fact that we're celebrating the birth of Christ and getting stoked for Santa to come on Christmas.

I asked her what she wanted for Christmas from Santa Claus and she said, "BLUE!" .......So I'm working on that......

In the meantime, she has eradicated all feelings of grinchiness from our home, which is saying a lot because Danny lives here. (HEH HEH ZIIIIING!) She regularly sings Christmas songs that go something like, "CANNY CAAAAAANE!! CHRISIM TREEEEE!!!!! SNOWMAAAAAAAN! SANTA SANTA SANTA CLAUS!!!" Yeah, she says "Chrism" instead of "Christmas" and yesterday, trying to remember the proper pronunciation of the word, she called her ornaments "armpits" several times.

If you are feeling like a Grinch or a Scrooge this year? I will send Ava to your house for a day. She is like a little north pole elf, spreading her Christmas cheer and trying to get away with only eating from the four main food groups; candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. You won't be a scrooge when she gets done with you.

Old, magic friends

A good childhood friend of mine (I almost said a friend from high school, but we go way farther back than that) is married to a fabulous guy (whom I also know from high school) and they're magic.

They went out on a limb shortly after they got married and started a business together. They shoot commercials, mostly, I think. They're all film and cameras and DSLRs and how the heck did they do that? Rachel dreams things up with her crazy, artistic imagination and Kenny breathes life into it with his excellent skill behind the camera and in the editing room. They also have an awesome team that contributes muchly to the whole process.

Aside from being hilarious, quality people, they are also really good at what they do. I am absolutely in love with their latest project and can't wait to see what else these two dream up together.

Just take a minute and be inspired and touched and maybe tear up a little. 'Sokay. I tear up every time I watch it.

See? They're magic.

Blog, if you were a child, someone would have called the authorities by now

BLOG!

HOW NEGLECTED ARE YOOOOOOU??????

So so sorry, blog. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Life just happened, man. It just happened. And then, here I am, 18274 months since my last post feeling like my 3 followers and random passersby in Germany and Australia HATE me because I forgot about you.

Mayhaps this will make all the things better. A use for my crown and a fabulous progression of my daughter's super expressive face.

Observe:

 "Ava, do a really really big smile!"