After all of the craziness of November and because of Thanksgiving's lateness, I felt completely unprepared for Christmas this year. Like, I didn't even want to listen to Christmas music after Thanksgiving because I was that unprepared. We felt like we had been running and running all year and couldn't believe it was already the season to be merry and joyous (falala). Come December 1st, we finally started pulling out Christmas decorations slowly--very slowly. I had almost no enthusiasm in the process like I usually do.
Finally, on December 5th after a busy night we curled up and watched The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. It was a light switch for us. It finally put us in the Christmas mood, and from then on, I had no problem embracing the holiday season, especially after watching this powerful video reminding me of the reason for the season:
We had about two weeks between embracing the Christmas spirit and leaving to California to be with family, so we celebrated when we could. Each night we read a Christmas story of some kind--such a fun way to bring in the Christmas spirit; this may become a tradition of ours!
And then I surprised even myself by putting up Christmas lights on our trees, bushes, and railings. Once we had decided to buy our home, one of the first things I noticed was that it screams Christmas lights with the trees, bushes, and wiring we have going on. So we bought some net lighting and pulled out our inherited cast off lights from family. I kept hinting for Ben to put them up, but he was, understandably, busy with tons of final project assignments, so in a moment of desperation, or pure insanity, I decided to, for the first time in my life, put up Christmas lights. I have never even put up lights on a tree before (I always delegate this assignment), so this was a big deal! I was so excited for Ben to drive home and see my random light display!
So when all was said and done, it didn't look as magical as I was expecting, but at least I was no longer being Scrooge.
The weather may have contributed to my denial of the Christmas season. It did not feel like a typical Utah December.
I apologize for my perpetual sunset postings. Since living in Pleasant View, the views have me entranced every single night.
Ben and I went on a Christmas light date night. We stopped at Boston's in Layton, and I'm still dreaming about my food. So fun!
Then it was off to our 50 degree night of looking at the lights on Temple Square. I love the spirit of that place.
The following night we had a double date with Ben's parents to do sealings in the Ogden Temple and then to see a movie at the Movie Grille. Two date nights in a row--the best!
I was introduced to this deliciousness as a Christmas goodie, and my life will never be the same.
It's amazing how the small things can change your heart. I started off this Christmas season "not in the mood" and frantic but ended with a feeling of peace as I remembered that the birth of our Savior is something we can rejoice in each day as we implement the Atonement in our day to day lives and remember that we have a Savior!
P.S. This video probably touched me more than anything else this season. It was three Kleenex worthy.
