The real Meaning

On to Christmas thoughts!

My mom has always struggled with loving Christmas and to anyone who knows her this isn't new news. Don't get me wrong, there are few people in my life that I know have a love and testimony of our savior that is stronger then my mothers. But the season sometimes gets her down. The sparkle, wrapping, gimme gimme attitude that it had developed into is often very depressing. I understand why the season would get to some people. It seems like a contest for who can give their kids the most when we forget that what really matters most, often times costs least. I am determined to help these people love Christmas! Lets take things back a few years (oh 2000 or so) to a much simpler time. A time when a special mother and loving father searched to give a warm gift of shelter to their soon to be born son. A time when shepherds were given a gift from the angels to see the new born child and worship him. A time when Wise men came seeking so they could give precious gifts to a babe they knew was more precious then anything they could give.  A time when a loving Father in Heaven gave the greatest gift of all to us, His son. Let us not forget the real reason we celebrate. We celebrate the birth of our savior. Who was born and lived for us so that he could and did eventually die for us. He died so that every imperfect person on this earth would be able to become perfect again through his atonement. He died so that we may one day live with our loving Heavenly Father. All of this we celebrate through the birth of a tiny babe. We celebrate his courage to come to this earth knowing all that he knew. We celebrate how much he loved us. That my friends, is what CHRISTmas is all about. Please don't forget it and get mixed up in the glitter. Remember that it is not in the amount that is spent but in the amount that is loved that Christmas memories are measured.

I love you all and I encourage you to find a way to celebrate the true and everlasting meaning of Christmas.

Talia

Christmas Is my Favorite!

I just love the season of Christmas. I love the songs, the smells, and the kindness that comes out in people I don't even know. I have been trying since Jim and I got married to do some sort of Christmas card for friends and family but I have let to many things get away with me and before I know it I am way to late. Well this year I am not going to let it get the best of me. 

I had Jim and Xander come and smile for a few simple pictures right before church on Sunday and wa-la we have some family pictures to make a Christmas card. I am excited about them! So I figured I would share them with you. Zemps 2014!

First Snow

So I know many places have had snow already but for our unique little Medicine Hat we just got our first big dump of snow. So naturally along with loads of snow comes shoveling. And of course I'm not talking shoveling with a big old snow blower like the little old man across the street who I am sure had a tenth of the snow around his corner lot that we got around ours. No I am talking good old fashioned shoveling that wet snow with a shovel  inch by inch because that white stuff weighs a million pounds. However, along with all my dislike for shoveling comes Xander's new found love of playing in the snow. He did enjoy snow last year but this year is so much better. For his birthday he got a snow sled from our good friends and even since then he has on many occasions asked me if he can go sledding yet. So when this morning came and I opened the blinds to let the beautiful shining snow flood its light into our house he got so excited. We ate breakfast as fast as we could. I took Xander potty and of course had to explain the importance of that choice before putting on snow suits (anyone read "I have to go Pee" by Robert Munch knows) and we got all suited up. We each grabbed our shovels and went to work. I shoveled the snow off the Ginormous Driveway and corner lot sidewalk (What were we thinking!) and he shoveled it back into the empty spaces I was creating as fast as his little arms could move that wet heavy snow. After a while he decided that shoveling was not for him so he went and belly flopped right into the snow and made a face down snow angel. HAHA he was not very fond of the snow in the face but that was one lesson I didn't have to teach him because next time he did it the right way. We did have a lot of fun in the snow. Aside from my sore arms and cold face it was a wonderful first snow of the season. We cant wait to go sledding for his first time. I think he will love it. 

(side note) For those who are looking for a way to store all there mittens and hats and scarfs so they don't end up a wet heap in your doorway here is what we are doing this year.