A Letter from Jesus about Christmas...

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them..

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :


I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

* I saw this on Krista's blog and I think it's something to be shared- so share it! Remeber the true meaning of this season, it's to remember Christ ALWAYS and through our actions-they always speak louder than words. God bless and may you all have a Merry Christmas!

Wish List...

So while Santa is making a list and checking it twice, I decided to make up my fantasy wish list- here it goes!

1. Ryan to be done with school(s) this is happening VERY soon!
2. a super duper organized and always spotless house (if you are one of these super organized people and are looking for a gift to get me- come on over!)
3. laudry to always be done and put away
4.The food/fit factor- eat whatever I want and aays look an fel trim and i shape-alo not to age:)
5. my biological father to move Utah
6. to be an expert cook (or at least find healthy meals my hubby will eat!)
7. no debt and a flowig bank acount;)
8. to be rid of the townhouse once and for all
9. finish my novel
10. to be really good at journalig/scrapbooking/documenting events
11. Travel where I want when I want!
Santa- I've been good this year- help a girl out!

(SIDENOTE! I do have MANY amazing blessings- wishes already come true- a gorgeous, wonderful hubby, a beautifu daughter and our health- so this list is rlly fo fun- ad sort of for goals too- many of these will happen in the next few months! Finers crossed!)

Let the Chirstmas Countdown begin!

So, in keeping with my vow to not be a basket case like last Christmas, I kept my promise to be 'more on top of it' this year. I already had the decorations up, a good majority of the shopping done (and wrapped) and addressed Christmas cards today- that's right, this year I'm super on top of things- Christmas wise anyway. In terms of my laundry and picking up toys and clutter, well, that leaves a great deal to be desired.

So all I have left is a few gifts to shop for, assembly and wrapping of said gifts, and put the cards in the mail- and get a few last addresses- if I don't have your address and you would like a Christmas card, please email it to me or leave a comment- that being said I'm excited to 'enjoy' Christmas a little this year...

Let the Christmasing begin!

Lucky 13!

Hailyn is 13 months (plus) old now and she is a BLAST! Along with her 'mowgali crawl' where she walks with her butt in the air, her, gimpy army crawl where she drags one leg behind her this girl is a bonafide walker (ok, maybe not bonafide, but she walks like 50% of the time!) and she CLIMBS on everything and FAST! LIKE REALLy FAST! She also has a rock climbing grip (we learned this when she was hanging on the edge of the dryer- such a daredevil!) and this girl TALKS! 'Hi mama' is her newest sentence:) and she loves to wave and say 'hi hi hi' (yesterday she SHOUTED it to the man sitting behins us in church and he grinned- Hailyn was in HEAVEN!) This little cutie pie keeps us on our toes because she loooooves to climb and explore everything like no one year old I have ever seen, but she is the sweetest thing ever. She just LOVES other kids (hope that sticks for future family planning!) she is so easy, so mellow, so content, so funny, so smart, so clever, so happy. She is the sweetest little girl we could have ever asked for, and I love to see her growing and learning something new everyday. She is still a tall skinny thing. Maybe one of these days I'll get on my game and post videos and more pics, but for today, i'm going to enjoy my little explorer!

Surviving November...

A few random tidbits...

yes I still need to post Hailyn Halloween pictures- I've been too lazy to download them. There I said it. I am using this blog as mainly a guide for 'to on-line scrapbook later.

You see I used to keep all my pictures in a file box to scrapbook- I am finishing up high school now- yes- seven years, two college degrees, a marraige, a child and a career later, I am now finishing up senior year in HIGH SCHOOL! I go a million miles an hour- and if something doesn't just strike my attention, then well it goes on the back burner. So this blog is merely to remind myself to hey- compile that later Lacie! Good thought indeed- at least Hailyn will have some record of her life! My goal is by Christmas to get my scrapbooking (online of course, I can't deal with gluesticks and paper cutters anymore). We'll see how I do.

To be fair, life has been CRAZY busy- like insanely busy. I'll spare you most of the details for now but it is NUTS-anyhow I have an insane goal on top of raising my daughter nearly on my own, teaching, callings, normal life stuff to finish and polish my novel. End of november. Possible? Yes! Will it get done? Er yes! Wish me luck- I hope I survive November...

HAILYN'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!

I can't believe my baby is ONE YEAR OLD already! yikes- and yes I am JUST getting around to posting these pics- I've been a tad busy- whoops! Time sure flies, and we celebrated in true Tidwell style at one of our favorite places- FUDDRUCKERS- and we were lucky to have lots of family and friends come to celebrate. Beware-there are a LOT of pictures!

Aunt Jen, Uncle Steve, and cousins Nate and Nicole came- yea!!


So did good freinds, Laura, Ryan, Brandi and Seth and Brandon and Sandy. Aunt Em, Ucle Ry, cousins Chance and Mav, and Amber and Pete came too (those pics had issues downloading- I'll try flickr-dang blogger!)






G-Pa Ben and Nana came...

Here's Hailyn's ice cream Sleeping Beauty cake- a huge hit- I think we're going to do an ice cream cake every year- yes, she had two cakes:)
Brandi and I- and lil Gracie:) we are so lucky to have such awesome friends!
Hailyn's birthday outfit- SO CUTE!
She was more interested in eating the 1 birthday candle than the cake...

Celebrating one with Seth- I love her face in this pic!

family shot!
birthday outfit...

Her Tinkerbell cake- and flowers for me! 12 months of motherhood- awwww...:)
Mimzy and Hailyn...


Aunt Melanie stopped by and she got some really fun toys!


tuckered out from partying! this lil girl sure is loved- thank you to everyone who came and celebrated this milestone in Hailyn's life- it sure was a fun party! She sure is a decked out lil lady- she dressed better than me (not for long!) and she also recieved some wonderful toys and a much needed amazing high chair! I just cannot thank everyone enough for all thier love and support of our little girl and our family-we love you all so much!!!!

Time REALLY does fly...

My beautiful daughter is turning ONE on Friday!!! ONE!!! ALREADY????!!! Not to sound cliche but it REALLY feels like yesterday when I was in LABOR for 32 hours (at the hospital people!) after pushing for literally an eternity she was here! Born on 10-9-08-SO COOL! Bringing her home and that special time with her was incredible serene and peaceful- I look at her newborn-ness with a deep love and longing- a special nostalgia- that time was so precious and all it went by all too fast. She will be sitting in a front facing car seat. Her infant-ness is well, gone. But her SWEET, LOVING personality is showing all sorts of new sides- I haven't hit a 'bad; age yet:)

I'm going to be doing a proper birthday post complete with the adorable pics but I just HAD to get it out there! We're celebrating at this awesome place on Friday OCT 9 at 6:15 if anyone would like to come~ mmmmm....burgers with melted cheddar cheese- please insert on my thighs! HA! SO YUMMY! We'd love to see you if you can make it!