Christmas Time is Here!

I thought we might just make this mostly a picture post of some of our Christmas pictures that we've taken. I know when some people look at blogs that that's all they look at anyways.

This is probably my favorite picture right here.

We bought this nativity at the Deseret Book.

Lauri made this bow for the wreath. She's pretty darn good isn't she?

Even though we don't have a tree, we do have the presents.

Carl Bloch Exhibit

For family home evening last night James and I visited the BYU Museum of Art to see the Carl Bloch exhibit. If you think you don't know who he is, you would be surprised how many of his works you have actually seen. The church uses so many of them in Ensigns, book covers and many other published works. Some of my most favorite portrals of our Savior, I found out last night were his works.

The exhibit itself is a work of art in itself. Many of the pieces that they have there are the actual altar pieces from different churches and cathedrals in Sweden and Denmark. They are huge and absolutely beautiful. I feel like this is one of those opportunities that is only available once in a lifetime and I would encourage anyone that is within a decent traveling distance that you should see this exhibit. It is free but you do need to get tickets to see it. You can do that at http://moa.byu.edu/ . You can also learn more about this exhibit.

Both James and I felt Carl Bloch share his testimony with us through his works. As well as the care that was putting the exhibit together was a testimony from all those involved.

For posterity's sake...

There you go. I'm gettin' huge and uncomfortable.

Reality is setting in...

I've been pretty sick this last week, all starting Monday with the stomach flu and a quick visit to the Hospital. I thought I was feeling better, but my body has not figured out how to be regular again. I guess this is what I get for having a fairly easy pregnancy. I really have started to wonder if this is what most pregnant women experience everyday. Either way I am grateful it hasn't been so tough.

James picked up the movie "Being Dad" at the library that he and I watched together last night. It's actually really great and I'd recommend it to all my expecting friends and their husbands. However, reality really started to kick in, and I am starting to freak out just a little bit. It's one thing to grow the baby, it's a whole other thing to get the baby out. Lots of women give birth everyday, but it's all still "the unknown" to me, so it's a little scary.

HOPE

I love that when the sun shines through a window, it can warm up a room or car even when it is cold outside. Last winter, when I wasn't pregnant, I would often lay down on my stomach right where the sun would hit the carpet and fall asleep. I would usually wake up sweating, and honestly, I don't think I've ever had a better nap.

Today when I woke up I opened the window blinds and let the sun shine brightly in my room. I don't really know why, but this really charged me up. This experience reminded me of hope. No matter how cold it is outside, or how dim the day or challenge can seem that we have ahead of us, we can find hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the source of all hope. When life seems impossible or the challenges too tough to overcome, it is through Christ that we can find the energy we need to make it through anything that life throws at us.

It is during this Christmas season that we celebrate Him who provides all hope to everyone on this earth. What a blessing it is to have a knowledge of his life and the blessings that He can bring to our life if we learn to live like he did.