Merry Christmas! Dreams Come True

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it al the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!"                                                      
                                         ~Charles Dickens~  A Christmas Carol


In the early hours of Christmas morning I wanted to take a moment and wish you a very Merry Christmas. I'm sorry that I haven't written more posts this month as I had inspiration after inspiration flowing in and out of my life. I wanted to share them with you but December had a life of it's own and I let it just unfold as it wanted. 

If you have read any of my blog posts though you probably understand a bit of my journey and some of my life philosophy as well but boy, this month the lesson of simplicity was reinforced....BIG TIME! It truly is the simple things in life that fill me up and restore me.

Paper snowflakes and paper chains decorate our Christmas tree from the mountains

Like going with my husband and our oldest two children and cutting down our Christmas trees in the mountains, or staying up late to make my youngest girls Christmas angel dolls even though the sewing machine and I aren't the best of friends. Being creative and making things from the heart is so enjoyable.

I made these little felt stockings to put the Teacher's gift cards inside

Going to the little girls group piano Christmas party...our plate of baking and tins of cookies to give teachers....shortbread, sugar cookies, peppermint fudge and little kids fav, Rice Crispie squares

 Another special moment was spent teaching the little ones to make snow flakes and paper chains for our family room Christmas tree and oh, another moment I savored, was taking time to read a Christmas novel....nothing of any literary quality but the sweet message touched me deeply and reminded me of the spirit of the season.

The moments at the mall were tedious and so I hope I remember next year to do less commercial shopping and more time just experiencing life with my friends and family. One night, David and I did go to the mall together and both were hit by the different energy we felt when we went from the bright lights and noise of the main mall and copy cat stores and then drifted into a tiny shop called, "The Lucky Bamboo," where they have a lot of imported goods from around the world.

David and I at our family photo shoot....easiest photo session EVER...David zipped home for lunch and we were all ready to go

 The lights were dimmed, meditative music was playing and calming scents were in the air. We were greeted happily upon entering the shop but with a laid back peace. Instead of feeling pressured to spend and bombarded with sale signs, we were asked how we were and what brought us in to the shop. Ahhhh....I could have spent a lot more time shopping in that store and the items we did purchase felt more authentic.

Mitchell home for the holidays catches up with Will and what he's learning on the cello

Harrison practices Christmas music for our family concert

Another thing that made me really happy was choosing to give our children some second hand gifts. I I found a book for one of our older sons by Robert Thurman called, "Infinite Life; Awakening to Bliss Within." Absolutely perfect since we have been having some deep discussions about life's meaning, and religious beliefs, especially lately. Our older two daughters chose to be Christmas Elves this year and pass on beloved toys to their little sisters; a Victorian doll house and American girl dolls, Molly and Kit.

Our amazing Grace....she was my Christmas baby 14 years ago

Our oldest Alyssa is a talented photographer and gladly agreed to do a family photo shoot....with older children you never know if this is the last year you will all be together for the holidays

The little girls saw these dolls in a magazine and have been talking about them all month and Victoria in particular was thrilled when she saw Molly with glasses just like her and has asked me again and again if I thought she would get Molly for Christmas. I've told both of them the story of when I was a little girl and how I had two baby dolls named, "Suzie and Cindy," ...in my heart of hearts I had dreamed of having twin daughters but never, NEVER in my wildest dreams thought that wish would come true and yet, here my sweet little girls are and so I have reminded them to hold fast to their dreams and believe with their whole heart.

                                  DREAMS COME TRUE

Victoria holding a Christmas teddy

Then the children also drew names and have been busy this last week making homemade gifts; peppermint bath salts, peppermint bark, for the girls and tie dyed shirts and fudge for the boys. Alyssa made a POP UP board game called, The "Incredible Journey Finding Christmas" based on the movie our younger children love, "Homeward Bound," with the two dogs and a Siamese cat who are lost in the woods....similar story line but they are looking for their family AND a Christmas Tree. Then our oldest son Clark, who is an wonderful writer and we often tease him about winning the literary award in high school and yet he took the Science path....well, anyway he wrote a story called, "The Christmas Angel," to accompany the little angels I made for the twins. It's about a Christmas angel who is looking for a little girl to watch over at Christmas time. It's lovely and sweet and I know the girls will want to read the story over and over. (made me cry!) 

Harrison, Mitchell and Clark waiting for our in house photographer to take photos

My sons taking a serious picture after I said they looked like an Old Navy or Gap line up

So the simple things are the best and often I make things so hard....ha....I had 8 kids didn't I? But oh, I think it's possible to walk life and always, always be asking, "is this the path of least resistance?" Because when you take THAT path, you truly are happier and life unfolds with ease and grace. 

There is also magic in that place........

Victoria, Will and Kate....stop for a quick picture before heading out in the cold for our family photo shoot

While all our children were my best gifts ever...these three were Dreams Come True and completed our family

Will who this Christmas has reminded me of the real spirit of Christmas...it's about love

So tomorrow, I'm going to remember my words and just try to relax a bit and enjoy the precious moments of watching my children unwrap their Christmas memories. I hope some day they know I'm leaving them the keys to a happy life. It's not about stuff, or food, or even keeping traditions alive, it's about letting go and moving with the flow of life. I think they have already learned by watching me do it the hard way. Be mindful of the experience and hold the joy of life in your hands. 

Merry Christmas from me to you....love Hope

So I will close for now but I wanted to send out a Christmas wish to you....may your holiday be filled with peace, joy and most of all love. 

Love is really what it's all about...not just at Christmas but all year round.

Merry Christmas dear friends and family.

Back row left to right, David, Harrison, Mitchell, Clark, (middle) Alyssa, Hope, aka Lee, Grace (Front) Victoria, William, and Kathryn....and our cat Ryuuki who just happened to be strolling by and Mitchell scooped him for the picture...he's our show kitty

Until we connect again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.

Blessings from Hope