Thinking while warm

So this is me being peer-pressured into writing on my blog. Compliments to Lacey:) And thanks to her it actually looks like I visit my own blog once in a while. I am loving Christmas season. Right now I am sitting in a nice warm house after a day of shopping basking in the glow if Christmas tree lights.

Today I decided to not think about presents anymore. I really would rather spend the last few days before Christmas in other ways besides mentally going over all the people I still need to buy presents for over and over. I am tired of stressing out with other people about who got who what, and if so-and-so will notice that their grand total of presents adds up to half as much money as their brother's. What would Christmas be like with no presents? Would it detract from or add to the "Christmas spirit?" Would we still find ways to show our love to each other, or become more self-focused? I think the absence of materialism would be the main effect. Cause really, if we subtracted all the shopping, asking, wrapping and financing out of Christmas time, what would be left? A whole bunch of time with family. A lot of vacation with less to do, and more time to think. Just once a year, a couple weeks dedicated to feel the importance of Christ visiting the earth in mortality. A few precious hours to comprehend what it means for God to send His son to us. I want this. Thankfully, I believe we can do this inspite of all the presents and shopping. It's a little harder, but completely worth it.

Trite topic? Yes. But the realization is revolutionary for me.

From the Andrews' Kitchen

I know everyone is really excited because it looks like Miriam is actually posting on her blog. It's a hoax though because this is Lacey. I'm updating for her so she can actually get used to posting. She's pretty much standing right here. I'm the one posting because I'm sick and dying at the kitchen table and she's baking cookie and brownies with Esther and Angel. Basically I'm here supervising :)

Miriam did nothing extremely exciting today. She made it home to San Marcos safely, without a single mishap. She visited with her aunt and uncle and cousins, studied her scriptures, tucked me into bed because I was dying, and went for a run.

Just now she put the butter in the oven to melt it (because the microwave is broken) and forgot about it. It's pretty funny. I wonder how many more adventures will happen in the kitchen today with Miriam at the helm?