Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Christmas Morning

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Christmas Morning

My sweet husband, playing with the toys the boys got from Santa.

Me in my new beanie. It covers my ears! Just what I wanted! And I really need it in this freeeezing weather!

Aubrey with her beautiful blue coat. She loves it, as you can see. It'll keep her warm on those walks to and from school.

We always manage to get a few hugs on Christmas morning! Tyler and Cooper do get along occasionally...

Cowboy Coop in his new John Deere sweatshirt and cowboy hat.

This is my loot. I tried to get everyone to do what Felicia Graves does, and arrange everything for a picture, but I'm the only one who listened to myself. You can see my darling new coat!!! I love it, and it was a huge surprise. The brown dress wasn't as much as a surprise, since I tried it on, but I didn't know which one Brandon would choose! Aubrey gave me those cute kitchen towels, and the Dixie Chicks CD, and I could be wrong, but I think those are my first pair of real snow boots I've gotten in my life. I got to test them out shoveling off our roof Christmas Day.

Cooper's hunting toys... probably the last time we'll see them all in one place.

Tyler staged a rodeo. Very realistic!

Aubrey's favorite ever gift. She loves it so much that I get to hear her freak out every minute that there is a FINGERPRINT on it, and I must take her to the store RIGHT NOW to get a cover!

5 comments:

The Oylers said...: How fun. Looks like you all scored big. I love your coat and dress and boots! They are all so cute, where did you get that dress I love it! Well I am glad you guys had such a great Christmas, sorry I didn't call you all. But we love you lots.; 9:15 AM
Kate said...: What a fun Christmas! I love that coat, it is adorable! And I freak about my iPod too. :) Merry Christmas!; 1:18 PM
Brenda said...: Cute beanie! That coat of Aubrey's looks nice and warm, but you make her walk to school? Mean! Are you too close for her to ride the bus? Your coat's not quite how I pictured from your description, it's cute, though! Those snow boots look nice too. I need some of those!; 1:44 PM
Lisa said...: merry christmas, mindy.; 12:24 AM
Karey said...: Love the coat. It looks like you had a fun Christmas. I wish I could have been there when you visited Dad and Mom. I was hoping to see you. Maybe next time.; 2:26 AM

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To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche