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Ten Things of Thankful: Christmas Edition

Cooking, baking, sewing, wrapping.  Hugging, laughing, singing, playing.  I'm nearly to ten and I haven't even started the list.  This Christmas week has been exhaustingly, wonderfully fun!


When I think back over the week, though, I realize the one force behind the gratitude:  love.  I'm going to make an uncharacteristic move, and not do a numbered list.  Rather, I'm going to remember that all good things come because "God so loved the world."  

Love and family go hand-in-hand.  Whether family is defined as everyone (because we are all children of our Heavenly Father), or as a traditional nuclear family, love brings peace and good will.  

I've received an outpouring of love this week.  Friends have stopped by, sharing songs and goodies.  The mailbox contained not just the typical bills and junk mail, but cards and greetings from friends and family.  Sweet grandchildren have graced our home. Oldest daughter surprised us by coming home for Christmas, after the CEO of the company she works for decided to give everyone not just the 24th and 25th off, but the 26th as well.  Facebook, Skype, and the telephone have provided ways to keep in touch with those who couldn't join us in our home.  Thoughtfully-given gifts were exchanged and appreciated.  





I've learned new things, because people who love me have taught me.  Oldest daughter gave me great tips on how to take better selfies.  (If you hold the phone camera right-side up, it apparently makes things much easier!)  Youngest son not only helped John and me with all things computer-related, but also taught us how to play Agricola, a game similar to Settlers of Catan.



I love John, I love our family, I love our extended families, and I love Heavenly Father's family.  I'm thankful for my life, and I'm thankful for the peace, joy, and love that come from the gift of Jesus Christ.  

I hope you all had a merry Christmas.  Happy New Year!


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Comments

  1. "Love and family go hand-in-hand. Whether family is defined as everyone (because we are all children of our Heavenly Father), or as a traditional nuclear family, love brings peace and good will."

    Christmas is that time of year we remind ourselves of this very thing. The rest of the year is to remember to carry it forward.
    Have a happy & healthy & blessed New Year Kristi!

    P.S. Not difficult to tell which little girl enjoys wearing hats lol

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    1. I love your comment: "The rest of the year is to remember to carry it forward." Yes, it really is!

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  2. What a wonderful list! Sounds like your Christmas was full of family love and goodness! Glad to hear it! I love getting the Christmas cards in the mail. For a few years I wasn't able to make them happen and I moved a ton of times and the cards dwindled down, and it really made me sad. I make sure to make the time, even if I have to try to remember in November just to make sure it happens! 2 years ago we started thinking about photos in October! We finally broke down and agreed to leave it to the professionals every year, then at least we have ONE decent photo of all of us :) It's been a nice tradition! Merry Christmas!

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    1. I needed to start thinking about cards even sooner than that if I wanted a photo of everyone. I omitted the photo this year. Still didn't manage to get all the cards mailed out in time, but hopefully next year will be better.

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  3. I LOVE getting cards! I got a bunch for Christmas. Between finishing grad school and getting the flu, I sent nary a card this year. Ah, who am I kidding? I am *terrible* at sending cards. Don't know what it is - I'm challenged that way. :P So...your example inspires me. So glad you had a wonderful Christmas! And best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

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    1. There are so many Christmas traditions, I don't think it's possible to do them all, so you shouldn't feel guilty about not sending cards out.

      Happy New Year to you, too!

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  4. Love....without that we have nothing. Great list! It oozes contentment and love and happiness

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    1. I'm pretty oozy here this week. :-) Happy New Year!

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  5. Oh wow no more wonky selfies! Kristi thank you so much for your friendship and posts like this one. So heartfelt.... love those babies! Merry Christmas!

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    1. I'm not sure I can promise no more wonky selfies. Knowing something and actually putting it in practice are two different things. :-)

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  6. Such a warm post! I think I need some help with selfies as well. Glad there was such an outpouring of love this week. Happy that your daughter got to come home for Christmas too.

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    1. I only know that one tip: hold the camera right-side up! :-)

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  7. Well, your card is sitting on my printer. It took me awhile to track down your address, and then once I did, I forgot that Bryan wasn't going to work past Monday to mail it for me so it didn't happen. Keep that in mind when you get it next week. :)

    I am so glad you had such a good time with your family this week. That selfie looks great! Will you be getting a selfie stick next? :)

    The baby girls are getting so big!

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    1. I know I've replied already--I wonder what happened to my comment? Anyway, I'm happy to receive cards anytime, not just before Christmas. Besides, I'm in no position to judge. I'm sure that some of the cards I sent did not arrive before Christmas, either. As for the selfie stick, I'm pretty sure I would have a learning curve for that, too--and I'm not sure I'm ready for that! :-)

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  8. I love receiving cards myself. That should be something I should work on next year, send greeting cards.

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    1. Although there are many ways to keep in touch nowadays, it is nice to receive an actual, snail-mail card, isn't it?

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  9. I've been RUBBISH at cards this year. I'm gonna glitterbomb y'all in 2015 somehow some way :)

    Glad you had such a wonderful week of love and family, and THANK YOU again for your beautiful (very sparkly) card.

    P.S. Agricola's FUN

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    1. Being thankful for cards received in no way implies complaining about cards not received, so no rubbish talk! :-) I know I'd go crazy if I tried to do every Christmas tradition.

      Agricola IS fun!

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  10. Actual cards and letters are a lost art, I think. That said, sadly, I did not send any cards myself. I had good intentions. Instead, I think I will send Valentines!
    Your holidays were certainly filled with love and family. Happy New Year to you!

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    1. I'm sure that Valentines will be welcomed by anyone receiving them!

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  11. "they are real!! see? I knew that they do co-exist with us on our plane of reality!!"

    lol (I knew this already, but part of the fun of the card was the slight echo of the above)

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    1. It's a bit reminiscent of an episode of Seinfeld in which George's worlds collide. (Though in my particular case, I'm the same person online and in real life.) Even when I receive cards from irl friends, there can sometimes be that same effect, when I haven't seen that person in years.

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  12. What loveliness in this post! Those little granddaughters are so cute! I'm glad your oldest daughter was able to surprise you with a visit. AND give you selfie lessons! Rule #2: HOLD THE CAMERA STILL :) I loved getting a Christmas card from you in the real mail, and like Lisa, I didn't send out ONE this year. Maybe I'll do Valentine's, too!
    Your posts always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It is obvious the IRL Kristi and the blog Kristi are the same person! Have a happy, healthy new year!

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    1. Good rule! AND--make sure you don't accidentally change the quality settings on your phone camera, or you will end up with grainy photos of your granddaughters. I will just have to keep practicing, and hope my blog followers can be patient with me. :-)

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  13. A great list and I just love the pictures of the little ones in their new hats! Hope you have a wonderful 2015!

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