16

A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine or fir, traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. An artificial Christmas tree is an object made to resemble such a tree, usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts or dates. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which with electrification could also be replaced by Christmas lights. Today, there are a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree to represent the host of angels or theStar of Bethlehem from the Nativity.


The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly the 15th century, in which "devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes".[1] It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century.[2] The Christmas tree has also been known as the "Yule-tree", especially in discussions of its folkloristic origins.[3][4][5]

Completely plagerised from Wikipedia.

Christmas Trees have always been absolutely magical to me ever since I can remember. It has been my favourite symbol of Christmas since my childhood. I just love them. I remember sitting for hours beside them or under them when I was little. I remember going with cousins in the woods to cut them down. I remember placing the angel on top. I remember taking the extra branches that had been cut off and using them to have my own Christmas tree. I remember the smell and stickiness of the sap. Oh Christmas trees, how I love you!




Here is a little kick back photo for you, and yep that is me in the white pj's holding up the sock right in front!

xoxo
Merry Christmas
Barb

17

One of my favourite Christmas traditions that we have is the wrapping and unwrapping of Christmas stories. I call it "the gift of reading". Every year we put up our Christmas tree on November 12 and under the tree there are Christmas stories all wrapped up and every night someone unwraps one and we read it togther as a family. Some are silly, some are churchy, some make cry and some make us want to be more like the Saviour. I love it!

xoxo
Merry Christmas
Barb

18

Click to learn more about the story of Christmas.


xoxo
Merry Christmas
Barb

19

Have I mentioned that I now work at the library! They let me do this in the front foyer a couple of Saturdays ago, and it is still standing I never been so proud! I love it got the original idea from pinterest.  It took 4-5 hours to make but that was also hauling all the books upstairs for it! Anyway I just love it!

xoxo
Merry Christmas
Barb

20

On the 29 of this month I will have been married 20 years. I don't feel old enough to have been married 20 years!! But man I am so glad to have done it. Jesse and I find it quite humorous when we are watching a movie or TV show and they say something like "We have been married 8 years!" I actually am really proud of it. I feel like it really is an accomplishment, like running a marathon. If I had to write one thing down on how we have been successful in our marriage, which I believe that we have, it would be that giving up or walking out just wasn't an option. That doesn't mean we didn't have the choice it is just that we both kept choosing to be married. You usually always have a choice to be married or not, and making that choice frequently helps keep me committed to my incredibly handsome husband. 

xoxo

Merry Christmas

Barb

21

Ryan…..
Ryan is 14 today we had yet another snow day so I cancelled three appointments I had booked because my kids were suppose to be in school and we took off to the big city to go to a movie. The only matinee I could find was a 3D version of Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. Apparently I haven't taken the kids to a 3D movie before they were so funny, literally reaching out their arms in front of them at times. Oh to be a child again, and experience things for the first time. I have decided that I need to find something that I have never done this month and do it. Do you have any suggestions?

Okay back to Ryan, he is so wonderful, I love having a son. A son who is so empathetic, compassionate, smart, hard working, and protective of his little sisters. Thanks to Ryan I have learned a great deal about myself and how to be a better parent. Happy Birthday Ry your the best.

xoxo
Merry Christmas
Barb

22

No, buses running today so another snow day! I am so grateful for having children, I don't really know if I have ever written that down.

My gratefullness comes from a different way than most women I know. Some of my friends had a hard time getting pregnant, some have adopted their children, some had a hard time getting or being married, some aren't married, some have lost a child, and some have almost lost a child. 

My experience has come because of Heavenly Father's commandment to mutilple and replish. Jesse and I waited 7 years to have children. Not because of medical problems, I just simple didn't want kids. I didn't feel like I was going to be any good at being a mother. I felt like my talents and abilities were in other places. 

But over 14 years ago, I had a decision to make was the gospel true or not? If it is true and I believe that it is true then shouldn't I be obeying all of God's  commandments? And according to Genesis 1:28 "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." It is a commandment from God to have children. So I decided to really give my life over to the Lord and see what He could make of me. I remember sharing my testimiony in Reilef Soctiey saying that I was going to do so. In the 14 years that have followed I have had many up's and downs, but God is good and He has made me into a mother who is grateful for her children. Thank you Heavenly Father for your contiunaly presence in my life.  

And if anyone is reading this that has the same feelings as I once did, I can testify to you that God will bless you in unexpected ways if you follow His commandments. 

Follow this link to watch a great video!

xoxoxo

Merry Christmas

Barb

23

Do you know what I really love about blogging is that when I am blogging I seem to be more aware of things.

For example I was driving in very bad wheather and on very bad roads the other day and was almost late for a movie I was taking the kids too. Two cars in head of me stopped which made me stop in the middle of the intersection. I didn't say anything outloud but in my head I was thinking, "What are you doing? This is so unsafe you cannot stop in the middle of the road, do I wait or go around? Why are they stopped?"

As I contiuned to watch, I saw the window roll down, and a bag of food go out to a homeless person standing in on the meridian followed by a huge cup of hot chocolate.

Just like that tears overwhelmed my eyes. Just like that Christmas was here. Chances are that I will never be able to tell the driver of that silver SUV last Thursday thank you.  But I can at least say thank you here.

"Thank you for restoring my hope in mankind, thank you for bringing the Christmas spirit back into my life. Thank you for reminding me of what I should be focusing on. 

THANK YOU"

xoxoo

Merry Christmas 

Barb

24

SNOW DAY! 

There is something absolutetly magical about a snow day, especially one before Christmas. Today we sat by the fire as a family, read Christmas books, drank hot chocolate, brave the storm to check on animals and build a snow cave, worked on homework, watched Christmas movies, played 7 or 8 hands of cards, and even sang some Christmas carols.

I really do have a love hate relationship with winter. I love being cozy in my house with my family with no where to go.....because you couldn't even if you wanted to and yet my skin crawls with being locked up in my house not being able to get out. I guess it is just how you look at it. As for me today I am definately looking at the glass being 1/2 full.

xoxoxo and Merry Christmas

Barb

25

It's Christmas time again and since I am desperately behind on blog posts I am committing to 25 blog posts for Christmas.  The first one will be about hair cuts. I have recently cut my hair quite dramatically. There is something wonderful about getting your hair cut. Pouring over pictures, talking to friends, family and husband, it always seems to me something of a right of passage. A big reason I cut my hair this time is because I found a neat course called Dressing Your Truth (click on link) in it I have discovered how to support my inside self on the outside with clothes. It has been a wonderful journey that I am still on but the hair cut was one of the final steps for me, and I love it.  I am not going to go into to much detail but it is because of this course that I have made all sorts of changes in my life lately if your interested in it you should check it out. Ok, here is the offical before and after pictures.

xoxoxo and
Merry Christmas
Barb

Let's Pretend

In July of this year my cousin Valorie passed away, leaving John, Dallia (12), and Ridge (5). It has been a very difficult transistion for me. This is only one of the things I feel like I need to share with the world about us.


Let's Pretend

Let's pretend our favourite phrase and used almost all of our days
Let's pretend were pioneers in the field......
Let's pretend were astroaunts on the trampoline....
Let's pretend were jockey's riding in a race.....
Let's pretend were orphans eating our last food.....
Let's pretend were on a treause hunt.......
Let's pretend this is our hut and we live in the woods.....
Let's pretend those cows are bulls and they are after us.....
Let's pretend we live on an island and those goats are our only last source of food....


But now I pretend alone
and there are days where I am sinking like a stone
I pretend your here..........
I pretend we hug......
I pretend we go for a walk, drive, or just sit and talk......
I pretend there is no such thing as addiction....
I pretend to smile like nothings wrong.....
I pretend not to miss you....
I pretend your parents are doing fine...
I pretend like depression isn't real....

I pretend.......


xoxo
Barb

Run in the rain

When one commits to training for anything whether it be a child rearing, bachelors degree, triathlon, marathon, weight loss, weight gain (yes there are people out there that train for that), 5k, or even finishing a book. They almost immediately come up against barriers to staying true to that training.  I am currently training for a 1/2 marathon the training schedule looks like this

Week	Monday	Wednesday	Thursday	Saturday
1	1.5	2	1.5	2.5
2	1.5	2	1.5	3
3	1.5	2	1.5	3.5
4	1.5	2.5	1.5	4
5	1.5	2.5	1.5	5
6	2	2.5	2	5.5
7	2	3	2	6
8	2	3	2	7
9	2	3.5	2	8
10	2	4	2	8
11	2.5	4	2.5	8
12	2.5	4	2.5	9
13	2.5	4	2.5	10
14	2.5	4	2.5	4.5
15	1.5	2.5	1.5	4
16	1.5	1.5	walk 1.5	1/2 Marathon

I am currently on week 3 which meant today I needed to run 2 miles.  The top picture is what it looked like today yep rain. I woke up with the best intentions only to find it so foggy that it wouldn't be safe to run so I went back to bed for an hour. Then I had decisions to make. My decision making process looks something like this.
"I am in week 3 so yes I am committed to this training  and I don't want to start all over again.
I will have to run 2 miles sometime today.
I could run on the treadmill, or outside.
I prefer outside.
OK I need to do it before Maggie gets home from preschool, but I am going Visiting Teaching at 8:30am and Maggie gets home at 11am mmmm.....
I could ask for help.
oh that is hard but so is starting the training all over again........
Just pick up the phone... just pick up the phone... just pick up the phone.
OK got some help my darling sister in law will pick me up on the way home from preschool with Maggie.
Now I just need to get out the door.
Oh great it is raining."

Here I will stop and let you out of my mind because too much time spent in there can be dangerous.
There are many wonderful things about  running in the rain.
1. You feel hard core. "Yep I am running in the rain."
2. You tend to take your steps to the tune "Running in the rain just running in the rain..."
3. You feel clean even though you aren't.
4. You are happy.
5. When you are finished you get double endorphins one because you ran 2 miles and two because it is DONE and you get a check mark.

The great thing training has taught me is this saying"Oh Hello (put in obstacle or barrier here IE rain, hill, sore knee, kids) come and run with me today."

In case you were wondering I did it more apples this week just not as many as I would have liked.
xoxo
Barb

I bought an apple...

So I was picking up a few things for my darling husband, and it was past dinner time, I hadn't eaten, the children had been home by themselves for a few hours, and so I knew that the situation at home was not going to be a pleasant one. I circled the store a few times looking for some relief the M&M's were calling me telling me "here is an escape, here is what you can use to get you through the next step, don't worry were here, it's okay it will just be this time, just buy a small bag."  Thank the heavens for the last loop of the store I was able to picture what eating the M&M's would feel like and it isn't what I wanted. I didn't want to need something to get me through, I wanted to be okay on my own. I didn't want to feel guilt of eating something that was lying to me. Yes M&M's lie. They say all those things but they really don't give me any of them instead they give me tighter jeans, and I don't want tighter jeans I want looser jeans. But the reality is I was hungry so I bought an apple not a bag but one Red Delicious  apple and ate it on the way home. It was so juicy, good and filling. I walked into my house feeling full, happy, confident, and prepared.

Today in group (yes I am still going to group) I decided to tell this story. I remember at the start of my weight loss journey celebrating every little success and I mean EVERY one. I have stopped doing that I have been wadding and focusing so much on my failure that there seemed to be no success.  So I can commit to writing to you my small success when they come, and you will in turn patiently wait for them because you and I both know that they are coming.

I have a friend that had completed her morning workout and was lying on the bench she hadn't eaten breakfast yet. She put her stomach and felt how empty it was and it felt good. When you have an eating problem so much of it is because you want to feel full. Full of ___________ (love, appreciation fulfilment, excitement and even sadness sometimes.)  But as she talked about this is experience I was in a state of wonder and excitement over the thought of feeling empty and with the being empty the anticipation of what Heavenly Father could fill it with.  All of sudden I wanted to be empty so I could be filled with God's love.
xoxo
Barb

Oh hi

Yep still here, still moving, mostly walk/runing weight is up to 226. Big sigh, and little head shake. Roll of the shoulders. Head back deep breath. I have started weighing in mornings and trying to earn 3 check marks. One for scriptures, one for excercise, and one for logging food. It seems to have stopped weight gain for now wahooooo. I have been logging food on my phone. Seems to be working. I have also found something that is helping me be nicer to myself. So if you want check this out, and comment back, on what type you are.
http://dressingyourtruthbjs.com/
xoxo
Barb

Thanks Steve

Last Saturday was the year anniversary of Steve Hall's passing away. While I knew Steve, I know his older brother, sister, and parents better. He has a darling wife and four beautiful children still here. My sister and brother decided to join his wife in running the moonlight run in honour  of his passing. Steve knew how to live life and did it well. It was a very introspective run for me. I was able to run the first mile with my sister Marina which was great. The stars were very bright out and every once in while I would find myself walking only to have a gentle reminder or even cheerleader to get moving again. At the end of this run there is a very steep long hill so needless to say I was walking up it and there came down the hill another runner just watching people and walking along he walked so much like Steve it actually kind of spooked me out at first only to get a confirmation that while that wasn't Steve that he was surely there with all of us. It reminded me of this video.





I hope she doesn't mind but I have copied the words expressed by Steve's Widow Lara.

" I cannot express in words how I feel. Gratitude to friends, family, and God. Thank you to each of you. After a year I should stop being so amazed at how my prayers for peace and comfort continually are answered through your acts of love. But with each kind word, card, message, act of service, I am literally overwhelmed with a feeling of love. I have not been forgotten or forsaken. Thanks for taking time to remember me and especially Steve. I watched my children through the planning and actual day wondering what they were thinking. I believe they were happy to be reminded how amazing their dad was and they were reminded of how many lives he touched (Kobee wore her orange buff around her wrist to church yesterday and to school today). Thank you all. If you can share any pictures or video you have of the run in Lethbridge or Red Deer I would really love that!"

So in her request here is the pictures of the race.

We also had orange buffs made that had Steve's favourite saying "SMASH IT OUT"!

So today I hope you all do that!

xoxo

Barb

Number 1

The single most grateful thing in my life would have to be parents. I know weird eh. Yes, parents, to me are the greatest invention in the eternities.  It is the thing that everyone on this earth has it takes one man and one women to create everybody on this earth. Now weather they are present in your life the rest of the time is sometimes not the case. Parents have influence on everybody no matter what.   Even if they are there  or not they are still an influence. Spooky right. I happen to be a parent and I am grateful for that too. For me it is the best learning tool my Heavenly Father could have ever given me. I have great parents who are not perfect, some people believe that they are but they aren't, which is a great blessing to me. By knowing that they struggle with huge issues helps me in my struggles. I am truly grateful for my Heavenly parents.  For forgiving  me over and over again, for sending my brother Jesus Christ to be born in a stable, and later to take upon my sins, and die on the cross for me.  So that I can return to live with them and all my brothers and sisters.

Now let me apologize for the lateness of this entry. Sorry. That's it.
xoxo
Barb