It's the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year! Yay!

So in the past week:

We had a December barbecue with some of Dave's mission buddies we love.

Riley tried to steal herself another baby brother.

 (It's nice when kids entertain themselves. Like shooting balls into a laundry basket filled with Koby, for instance.)

Later, we had a nice visit from some of our favorite Texans: Joe and Patti Smith, ladies and gentlemen! Riley crawled right up in Joe's lap for a good long cuddle. She does this rarely and I wonder, does Riley remember Joe? She's only seen him a couple times, but they truly were wonderful times.  

Pat quickly charmed Joe, which is not an easy task, let me tell you.

They came to visit Joe's mom, who just started her 18 month mission in the Family History Center on Temple Square. She is a lovely woman, of course - all the Smiths are. She raised 11 kids too! She had all kinds of Grandmotherly wisdom:

"Hug your boys - girls are easy to hug, but remember to hug your boys."

"Everyone should have at least three kids - two to replace themselves, and one extra, just in case." Insurance babies! Love it.

 Also this week: 

• Lots of birthdays: Chris, Jon, and Angie.
• I attended my first cookie exchange and chocolate-making demo (note: homemade almond joys are divine and have ruined the classic, packaged version for me forever, not that I was ever a huge fan.)
• Ward Christmas breakfast: Dave made up his own breakfast casserole and it was scrummy, the primary rang in the Christmas spirit with a nativity program which almost killed me with cuteness.
• Riley's first haircut. I'm missin that mulletty goodness.
• Joe grew his first teeth and breastfeeding got a little weirder.
• Andrea moved to Orem.
• Christmas secrets floating all over the place.
• MBA applications that practically write themselves! Ha! If only!
• April Hendricks came for lunch and we discovered she works only a stones throw away. Literally! I could, from our porch break her office window with a stone.

 It is such a delightfully busy time of year. Not a lot of time for naps or blogging, but we cherish the time spent with loved ones and the abundance of Christmas spirit. The beautiful decorations, music, and presents under the tree are so much fun, but it's that Christmas spirit that makes this holiday magical.

I heard a story in conference about a father and son who attended a temple dedication and while the dad was gawking at the beauty of the building, the little boy was experiencing profound spiritual feelings. He asked his Dad, "What's happening here? I've never felt this way before." 

I'm wondering if people might have a similar revelation if they looked beyond all the beautiful 'things' at Christmas and paused to recognize the feelings in their hearts. There might be less stress about expensive gifts, dressing to kill, or having the house decorated to perfection. The spirit of Christmas is, after all, there for us in the very humblest of circumstances. It was strongest in a barn where a poor young family stayed the night and delivered their baby boy. Whether there are presents under your tree or not, whether you have a tree or not, the Christmas spirit, or Christ spirit, is there to uplift, comfort, and inspire. There is always love and peace on earth, when you pause to listen.