Christmas time

Christmas time is awesome!

Below are some pictures of a few things I've done this Christmas season to get into the Christmas spirit.

 Made cookies and delivered them to people!

Decorated the house with nativities! (That's not even all of them).

Visited the National Christmas tree in downtown D.C.!

Saw the lights and the nativities at the temple visitors center!

 Participated in a white elephant gift exchange!

Went to a Christmas concert at the Kennedy Center! (A Candlelight Christmas)

Took a picture with a nutcracker!

Browsed the holiday market and even bought a couple of things! 

Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas all! Here is a beautiful and short video about the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy! 

Family Time

One of the many reasons I moved to the D.C. area was because I had three siblings that lived in the area. I love my family and I enjoy seeing them when I can (whether they live near or far). :)

One of my brothers, who lived in the D.C. area, has gone and moved to England with his adorable family. Before they left we had a family get together, with us siblings in the area and their families, at a rental house in Massanutten resort. The house was lovely and the weekend was full of fun, food, and family! 

Me with Matt, Karey, Jack and Lincoln at the Massanutten rental before they went off to England. 

 Playing a few rounds of telestrations with some of the niblings (nieces and nephews).

Ellie, Lincoln and Adam are just so cute! :)

 Isn't Jack such a cutie pie?!

Some of the niblings being silly! 

Lara, me, Matt, and Pete (all of the East Coast siblings).

Matt, Karey, Lincoln and Jack, I miss you already.  I hope I can come and visit you in England within the next year. :)

Grateful

As I walked out of the metro today on my way home from downtown D.C., there was a homeless man standing there with a sign asking for money. I decided to give him some money (I actually had some cash on me today.) I stopped to get it out and he asked me how I was doing and I replied with the normal good (which I usually reply no matter how I'm actually feeling) and I asked him how he was doing. I started to say something about how maybe I shouldn't ask that since he was standing out in the cold, homeless, without any money, but I didn't get to finish that statement when he answered that he woke up this morning just feeling blessed.

He said more, but I didn't hear, because I think I was taken aback by his grateful attitude.  I gave him the money and I walked away. As I walked away, I had the urge to turn around and talk to him more. I wanted to know his story, where did he grow up, how did he come to be in this situation etc, but alas I did not go back.

I went to the grocery store shortly after this experience and I seriously started crying as I walked out of the store and realized how very blessed I am. I am crying now even as I type this. I have enough money to go to the grocery store and buy basically anything I want. I have a warm bed to sleep on. I have a job. I have a family who loves me. And I could go on and on.

The song Grateful sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell immediately came to my head as I walked out of the store and I turned it on when I got back to my car. It basically describes exactly how I am feeling right now. 

I've got a roof over my head
I've got a warm place to sleep
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep

I've got a heart that can hold love
I've got a mind that can think
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed

Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful

In a city of strangers
I got a family of friends
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way
I know that they will stay until the end

It's not that I don't want a lot
Or hope for more, or dream of more
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me happier than keeping score

In a world that can bring pain
I will still take each chance
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance
Whatever stone life may sling
We can moan or we can sing

Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful