gratitude

Today while putting Nixon down for a nap he kept asking for Jesus songs, so I decided to sing a few Christmas songs about Jesus, Silent Night and Away in a Manger. While singing Away in a Manger, running my fingers through my sweet boys hair, looking him in the eye, and seeing him look back at me with such peace in his countenance, I couldn't help but compare the drastic difference in my circumstance as a mother and Mary's circumstance as a mother. My boy lay on a nice bed with his favorite, blue blanket and a pillow. My boy has warm clothes and a warm house. Jesus came as a baby in such humble circumstances. I think of how Mary and Joseph must have cuddled and held Jesus so close and tight to keep him warm. I think of the stray he lay in, how rough against a sweet, new babies skin. And yet, how great was our rejoicing as he was born to begin His earthly ministry. What great things we have to be thankful for.

What an incredible song Away in a Manger is at recalling us to His birth and what He did for us. As well as helping us remember what he does for us each day, and what He can do for us. While singing the last verses of the song, I sung Nixon's name in place of I and us, and an incredible new conviction of gratitude came to me as tears filled my eyes. I realized He can look down from the sky, stay by Nixon's side, be near him, bless him, and ultimately because of Jesus, my little Nixon can return "to Heaven to live with [Him] there."

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by NIXON'S side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take NIXON to heaven
To live with Thee there

Wow- what beautiful words and meaning. It was such a realty check today of how much I can improve on showing my gratitude to Jesus Christ for what He means to me and my family.

What can I do better?

Well there are so many ways to show our gratitude to Christ and it can be very individual and personal

So the challenge is to choose a way to show gratitude to Jesus Christ for all He has done and will do in our lives. Especially during this time of remembrance of His humble birth, lets think about Him more, thank Him more, and show that through our actions.

Have a very Merry CHRIST-mas!

prayer

Its been far too long since my last post. We have had many changes and milestones happen in our lives the past couple months. Most notable are moving into our first home and Nixon turning 2!

Now I am back into the blogging world and going to be posting at least weekly!

The most recent lesson I have learned BECAUSE MY BOY... is the importance of prayer.

Just this month Nixon started to say his own prayers. Although my husband and I help him still, he adds in his own sentences. Mainly he says he is grateful for his blue McQueen, his bumblebee car, his motorcycle, and his other motorcycle. It is so precious and humble. Without fail every time he prays, my heart beams with joy and peace. Hearing his sweet voice pray for such innocent things just melts my heart.

And the lesson came so quickly that I could not have learned any other way besides hearing my own child pray...

When we pray, God rejoices.

He must beam with joy and peace each time his children humbly pray to him. What a great new meaning prayer is to me. And I realize how truly important daily prayer is. God wants us to talk with Him and get to know Him more through consistent prayer.

The challenge is to pray. Pray in humility, pray with a heart as a child, pray with a desire to be close to God, pray for things you are grateful for that you typically do not mention, or simply start to pray. Not only will it bring joy to God, but to us as well.

love

Last week Nixon made me realize how a true, excited expression of love can rejuvenate, motivate, uplift, and encourage that same type of love to be reciprocated. My sweetest little boy expresses his love perfectly. He knows just how to make my heart squirm with happiness.

He does this by randomly and excitingly yelling, "I love you!" And that random expression is what is so incredible to me. For example, just as I got him out of the car to go into the grocery store he quickly wrapped his tiny arms around my neck, squeezed tightly, and exclaimed, "I love you!" It seems he knows just the right time to express his love.

Another example of this perfect love came when we were playing outside last week. We were coloring outside enjoying the weather. I was sitting on the first step of the staircase. Nixon put down his colored pencils, walked up to the second stair, then jumped onto my back with his arms around my neck, exclaiming, "I LOVE YOU TODAY!" He did this probably 25 times... yes half of it was probably for the fun of jumping off the stair onto my back, but all 25 times he repeated, "I LOVE YOU TODAY!" And I was left laughing, smiling, and completely rejuvenated from his expression of love. It also left me contemplating the last word of his sentence...today. Yes, just as a little boy knows, we need to know we are loved today, tomorrow, and everyday.

This weeks challenge is to excitedly exclaim, "I LOVE YOU!" Tell those you care for that you love them EVERYDAY! Another addition to this challenge is to read the New York Times Bestseller book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman if you have not read it; or you could read it again!

I am in the middle of this book and absolutely love it. I believe we all feel loved by having the love expressed to us in our own love language. Personally, I have a mixture of a few love languages and it wasn't until reading this book that I realized which ones they were. This book also helps you understand others love languages and how to love them the best. My husband and I have different love languages, and I think it is crucial to understand that so I don't only express my love for him in my language, but also in his. With this understanding the felt and expressed in my life has drastically changed for the better.

So I suggest reading this book to help you know how to excitedly exclaim, "I LOVE YOU!"

Good luck! Feel free to comment on your experiences.

slow down and enjoy.

Nixon loves the outdoors! He plays, laughs, and enjoys every minute we are outside. And already at such a young age he recognizes the great beauties of the world. For example, last month we went camping in the Uintah Mountains. As we were driving up the mountain, with trees and mountains surrounding us, Nixon said, "WOW! Beeauutiful!"

Then just a few weeks ago, Nixon did the same thing looking at the moon at night. "WOW! Beeauutiful!"

We truly to live in a beautiful world that has been created for our enjoyment. The challenge this week is to go outdoors and enjoy it. Take a few minutes out of your hectic day, slow down, and enjoy all the beauties around you no matter where you live. How great would it be if we could take just a few minutes every day to regroup and refocus as we breathe in the beauty. Then, give thanks for what glorious creations we have!

Here are just a few pictures of what we have enjoyed!

Newport Beach

Payson Canyon

Salt Lake City

The Getty Museum in California

Laguna Beach

love.

What is it about growing older that makes us sometimes become more reserved about showing and giving love when it should be the opposite. Because my boy is so willing to give love, I have noticed I am reserved in giving love. It is because I make the excuses of trying to be "respectful" or "proper." Three incidents have happened in the last 2 weeks that I have been amazed with.

1. We were in the grocery store stopped in one of the aisles while I was getting something off the shelf. When I turn around and see Nixon hugging this little 5 year old girl. I said, "Oh Nixon that is so nice you want to hug people, but sometimes we don't need to hug everyone..." Do we?

2. While in the children's section in the library, I was sitting on the little bench right by Nixon who was playing with a toy we always spend some time at. When a little girl around his age came up to play as well. He played with her for a few minutes, then randomly gave her a hug and attempted a kiss. I was there to stop the kiss from happening... Should I have?

3. Yesterday we were at a garage sale. A little boy probably around 3 years old was at the house. Nixon told him some cool stories, of course about how fast his Lightning McQueen car can go. Then as I was looking at some things, he gave him a hug and planted a kiss on the little boy's forehead. The little boy looked at him for 10 seconds, and then with excitement said, "He likes me!"

Looking back on the 3 incidents, I felt awkward. My thoughts were, we don't know them, they could be crazy, etc. But why do I? Yes, they are perfect strangers, but why not treat them with love?

The challenge is to say Hi, or notice someone who is a perfect stranger who could use a hello, hug or smile. Reach beyond any walls you have created... maybe they don't need to be there.

sympathy.

My little Nixon is very tender hearted. Anytime he sees or hears someone crying, he looks at them intently and asks, "he sad?" And he will proceed with a bout of fake crying himself. He does this especially when other children are crying. His reaction to others sadness amazes me because I feel he sympathizes with them and wants to help them through their struggle.

As I thought about how sweet and sympathetic he is, I came up with the new challenge of finding someone who is struggling with any type of hardship right now. It could be ailing health, stresses with money, loneliness, etc. Keep your eyes and hearts open to an understanding of something that they need, and do it! If you do not know of someone who is struggling, you could find someone at the grocery store, walking on the street, or at work. Even if your act of sympathy is as simple as complimenting someone you don't know, keep your heart open.

Feel free to post comments of ideas you have of acts of sympathy.

GOOD LUCK!

gratitude.

Although my little Nixon may be confused on exactly how to use the words... He says, "Thank you" very often. He even says it for you if he gives you something to hold or play with. His many thank you's throughout the day led me to my first realization of how I can become better by following Nixon's example... say thank you... very often. I have been wanting to thank some people, some for over 9 months, and have not taken the time to do so. Now is the time!

So the challenge is to write a thank you note, send an email, or make a phone call to those people in your life you have wanted to say thank you to, but just have not gotten around to it. Or to those people you would typically not express thanks to. Also, have a continued reminder to say your thank you's right when you think of them, just as a child does.

For this challenge, I have decided to send some cards to a few people.

#1 - My Sunday School teacher who amazes me with his knowledge, ability to teach and inspire me to become better. True talent that I would like to show appreciation for.

#2- A close friend in my neighborhood who has done so much for me just because that is the way she is. She has a little boy Nixon's age and one day they drove over with the cutest homemade cupcakes to give to Nixon just for fun. She helped me with a craft project... well basically made it for me! And there is so much more I need to thank her for.

#3 - My dearest husband who, simply put, is my rock. He is spread so thin with time and energy right now with work, summer school work and finals, church work, service, being a good father and husband, and yet every time I call him at work he is positive, upbeat, and excited to talk to me. He comes home and even though I can see in his eyes he is drained, he plays with our boy. He volunteers for us to do service, he uplifts all those around him. And he loves me so deeply.

I try to thank him with words, notes on his napkins in his lunch, little emails for him to read at work...but I have wanted to sit down and right a long heart-felt thank you to him for all that he means to me. He deserves it like everyone else.

Good luck with this challenge and feel free to share your experiences by posting!