I Believe in Santa Claus.

This is by far my favorite Christmas book...beside the story of the Savior in the Bible and Book of Mormon of course. This book talks about the symbolism in Christmas and what the different things stand for. But mostly it talks about how Santa Claus is the symbol of the Savior and it talks about why. First the author portrays Santa and the person he is, then she describes the Savior and the person he is which is exactly the same. I love how after I read this book now whenever I see Santa I think of the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas being the celebration of his birth and life. This book is a great one o help kids understand that everything we see at Christmas time and even throughout our lives points back to the Savior and is a wonderful reminder of how we need to constantly look to him and remember his life and the example he was for us so that we may pattern our mortal lives after his. This is the first Christmas in 4 years that I have actual felt the Christmas spirit and the Spirit of the Lord together. It's the first Christmas in a long time that i have been excited for Christmas not because of the presents under the tree...but for the opportunity we have to openly declare our love for our Savior and to sing our praises to him without people getting offended. I love this time of year! I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and i know that he lives and that he loves us. I know that he wants us to return to live with him someday.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST...therefore I BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS!. :)

The Polar Express

Most kids had the opportunity to grow up with this book. So when they made the movie there were a lot of very excited people. I knew nothing about the book or movie till...I think it was last year. But when I saw the movie I fell in love with it instantly and this year I finally read the book...well listened to it is more like it. I love the story behind it and the characters. I can see why this book captivated millions of Children and parent around the world. :)

Mr. Finnegans The Giving Chest.

One of the greatest things I love about Children's Christmas books is the different messages they hold. They are all the same but different in their own ways. On of these stories is by a man that I grew up watching on TV with my mom and who is one of those great comforting things to me...Dick Van Dyke. watching his movies and hearing his voice always makes me feel like a kid again watching Mary Poppins, the Dick Van Dyke show with my mom and always feels like a warm blanket being wrapped around me. So when I saw this book of course I was going to get it. :p Its a great story about this magical toy maker...Mr. Finnegan that tries to help people. The little girl is the town bully and Mr. Finnegan wants her to help him He gave her the giving chest and asked her to take it to a certain address. By doing this errand she learned the importance of being nice and the true meaning of Christmas. Like I said classic "scrooge" story in a way, but on a level that kids can understand it better. I love this book and cant wait to be able to read it to our kids someday at Christmas time. :)

The Christmas Scene

This book was so good, it's a book I have with all my Christmas books and I have had it for awhile now but only picked it up this year. It is a very easy read, it took me a little over 3 hours and I am a really slow reader. Elder Neal A. Maxwell does such a good job on making you think, not only about the birth of the Savior and the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place, But about life, the teachings of the Savior, how we need to learn from him and many more wonderful lessons. It took quite a bit not to highlight this whole book with all the different things it taught me and wonderful quotes. It has really helped me in my life and with current problems that I am struggling with. To truly get into the Christmas spirit I would recommend this book, it really helps to focus on the birth of our savior and turn the holidays into CHRISTmas. :) Merry Christmas Everyone!

Book Drive

EXTRA EXTRA!!!! BOOK DRIVE CONTINUES FOR 3rd MONTH!!!

That's right my book drive from Oct. is still on-going and I am still offering a $25 gift card to the person who donates the most books. This is a wonderful book drive that is going to help local school and library's right here in Utah. PLEASE we need all the help we can get, if you have any books you would like to donate you can drop them off at my work or house. Not in the Ogden/Downtown Salt Lake area call, e-mail, or make a comment on this blog stating that you would like to schedule a time for me to come and get your books and I can come to your house or work and get them. What a better gift to give this holiday season then the gift of reading and learning to children who don't have a lot. If you are in the West Jordan, South Jordan, (etc.) area and would like to participate in a book drive close to home. My sister in law Lisa is also having a book drive in West Jordan. Click here to see details. We also have another book drive in the making for Primary Children's Hospital. I will keep you posted on this drive. Remember any book , any contribution helps. Thank You!

The Christmas Box

Around this time of year, people start pulling out their Christmas books and reading them. For some reason this seemed a little tedious for me. But this year I decided I really want to try and get into the Christmas spirit. So when we were down to my parents house for Thanksgiving I saw this book on her shelf and asked if i could borrow it. I thought it would be a great book to start the season off with. It was small, Obviously a Christmas story and written by an author that I have read before and seemed to enjoy so...alright lets give it a try. :) I did NOT know what I was getting myself into. Don't get me wrong this book was fantastic and I really loved it. it helped teach me a lot about the true meaning of Christmas and how fortunate I am. This is one of those rare books that made me cry...and I mean tears rolling down my cheeks, couldn't stop the flow, making my husband nervous crying. He kept asking me if I was ok. :) At first it weirded me out a little with the events happening right here in my home state and not only that but a few blocks from where I work. But as the story went on I forgot about that and really got into it and came to really love the characters. This year I have realized a few things, some of the many reason why I love Christmas. It isn't so much the gift giving and getting them in return. That's great but what I really love about Christmas is the fact that it touches all of our senses. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feel. It's all different at Christmas. This book really helped me to realize this. I am starting to see all the different symbolism in Christmas and how it always goes back to our Savior Jesus Christ. This is something no one could take away. Not from me or anyone else who can see this wonderful symbolism. I am so glad I read this book, and very thankful for what it has taught me. to everyone who reads this I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and get to spend it with those you love.