Christmas is Here!

Several years ago when the movie The Grinch That Stole Christmas came out there was a song performed by Faith Hill entitled, Where Are You Christmas?  For the past several years I have found myself wondering that very thing. I know that it is truly a celebration of our Savior's birth and a time to reflect on that, but it is also a time a of family traditions and creating special memories by serving and spending time together.   As our children grow up, lives change, schedules get busy, and traditions get outgrown you begin to wonder where the Christmas spirit is and how to adapt to all the changes in your life, an empty nest, no younger children to anticipate and add to the excitement of the season and family schedules that are tricky to navigate.  We did have a special December is to Remember Dinner, not on the traditional first Sunday but at least in the first week of December.  We also made it to a Christmas Extravaganza performance at Chandler Center for the Arts, but didn't manage to see the lights at the Temple this year as a family, or just spend a bit more time together like we usually do.  Christmas Eve was rather casual, but nice, we played games and decorated cookies for Santa.  Christmas Day the kids showed up about 10 am, we opened presents, and talked and laughed together. While I finished up the Christmas "dinner" everyone watched a movie and fell asleep (some things never change).  We had a nice dinner, then Laura was off with Steven for his family dinner and Mike, Jon and Andrew went and tried out a new target, so it was quiet for some time.  I had time to reflect, and even though, things aren't like they used to be Christmas is still here, the spirit the love and when you take the time to reflect upon its true meaning, you realize though many things in our lives change the love that we have for our family and the Savior are true constants and Christmas is here!