Santa and Jesus.

Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

I do think Santa is great and has a place in Christmas, but sometimes we focus too much on him and forget why there is a Christmas at all. If you want to read some good thoughts on that check out this blog post from my friend Juli, http://juliandnick.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-found-it.html

My Parents Gave Me It All

They may disagree, but growing up my parents gave me it all.

That's my parents Dennis and Kelly last year at a birthday party

I remember playing and having fun. Christmas was always good. There was family around a lot. I don't remember ever going hungry, a lot of anger, missing out on things I wanted, being sad, bad birthdays. I had a good childhood. When I grew up I found out that we were POOR. I was looking at a picture and asked my mom why she let me where those shoes with a dress, she said she couldn't afford to buy me more then one pair of shoes and sneakers made the most scene to get.
I didn't have dance lessons or the newest toy, but I was a happy kid. And what's better then that. Jared and I are supper tight on money right now, and Christmas is looking extremely small for our family it helps to remember that even though we didn't have many things growing up I did have more then enough. My parents loved me and did all they could for me and my sibling. My brothers, sisters, and I got along great and always had a super fun time together. And I don't remember bad times.

My three cuties last December

If my kids grow up remembering that Christmas was always special, we had a good time, they always had clean clothes, warm blankets, and didn't ever go to bed hungry, mom and dad love them and spent time with them, listened to them then I've done like my parents and given my kids all they really need.Baby James last December

My baby

On December 4, 2008 I had a baby. His name is Christian David, he was just over ten ounces. I was 18 weeks pregnant.

I love my baby and wonder what he is like. But I know I gave him all I could. I gave him love, I did the healthy pregnancy things, and I remember him. We only have two pictures of our boy, that's okay I remember that he had the same nose as his brother and sister.


We honored our boy, had a graveside service for him and laid his little body to rest.
Why is this sad story among the ways I've got it all? Three reasons, first as sad as it is, I had a baby. I know of women who try so long and hard to have a baby and it never happens for them. I didn't get to take my boy home and I don't get to see him grow, but I got to have a baby. Another reason is, I'm okay. I don't have to dwell on my lose. I see how this moment in my life has shaped who I am. I understand that God has a plan for me and this was part of it. Do I know why, absolutely not, I don't even have a physical reason why his little heart stopped. What I do know is God knows more then my and I trust that this was the right thing for me and my family. Reason three is I have the blessing of a temple sealing. Jared and I went to a temple and were sealed to each other and all of our kids.
Some day I'll see my little Christian again and I'll get to hug him and hold him. I might even get an answer as to why he didn't get to join us on this earth, in this life. But for now, I have all the answers and comfort I need, as so I have it all.