a day late, but never a dollar short

What happens when you work for an airline, and your husband works in a hospital? There is no such thing as having Christmas off is what happens. Buddy worked 7-3 and I worked 3-7 on Christmas day, so we decided that Santa would make an extra special delivery on Christmas evening to our house. Needless to say, Friday morning was quite a fun way to start the weekend! It was a little odd celebrating Christmas day a day late. Bella woke up on Christmas morning a little confused, but once we reminded her of "Santa's special errand" she was content. They did open their gifts to each other that night, as well as a few from us, which made them so excited. I find myself thinking alot of gifts this year. This year is a little unique for us. I would never trade our circumstances for anything, but I will say that this year has been rather challenging. Our schedules, not being around much of our family, finances, student life, lack of time. If I think about it too hard, I feel awefully silly and whiney complaining when in comparison to some of our family and friends our troubles seem like a cake walk. Never the less, everyone has periods of time when they encouter difficult times and we just happen to be in one for us. We honestly did not know how we were going to provide Christmas this year for Isabella and Moses. We didnt doubt that our parents would come through, like they always do, but we wondered how we were going to pull of a Christmas that involved more that 1 or 2 items for each, which dont get me wrong, would be okay, afterall, its not what Christmas is about. I truly hope the kids, well, Isabella anyway, felt the spirit of Christmas in her heart. We spent many nights sharing our testimony and talking about the reason we celebrate Christmas. But still, we really wanted to see the excitement in their eyes and be able to give them a fun Christmas. We received a call one evening from our Bishop who told us he had something for us. What it was, was a way to give our kids more of a Christmas than we would have ever been able. I was touched by the kindess and love of others who only wished to remain anonymous. I struggled with feeling like a charity case vs accepting the gift with gratitude. What a waste it would be to feel bad feelings about such a beautiful offering of kindness. I went to Deseret Industries, a local thrift store, to try to find some toys. We had it in our mind that if we could find Moses some toy dinosaurs, he would be in heaven, and Bella would like her yearly "Christmas Belle" off of Santa's sleigh and some clothes. I proceeded to the toy isle with a grateful heart. There, on the top shelf was a bag of toy Dinosaurs. $3.00 for the bag. I caught my breath for a moment, trying to hold in my tears. To most people, this bag of dinosaurs would have been an awesome find, a stroke of perfect timing. To me, it symolized the true meaning of Christmas. A sign so obvious that the Lord loves me and knows what we need, even down to the most minute detail in a bag of toy dinosaurs. I do not beleive that I was at the D.I. in the middle of a blizzard, with a bishops order and a spare hour to myself, just by coincedence. I do not beleive that it was just a coindence that almost every article of winter clothing I bought fits them perfectly and will last them through the winter. More than any material item could ever give, this Christmas strengthend my faith and testimony in the love that Jesus has for me, for each of us. I know that he is aware of our individual needs and blesses us in ways that we least expect. I have come to see on several occasions, how He sends others on heavnely errands to help him bless the lives of others. Someday, I want nothing more that to spend my days finding ways to help others as we have seen in our life. I will always remember the feelings of warmth and love that entered my heart that one afternoon in D.I, with a bag of toy dinosaurs in my hands and a tear stained cheek.

Now, on to the obligatory Christmas post full of the latests happenings...

Its a tradition in the Hatch family, that Santa leaves a present by our bed to wake up to in the morning. This year, Santa left a bell from his sleigh for his "Christmas Bells", also Mrs. Clause made Isabella a blanket, what a treat! She made one for Moses too, but left it at Grandma and Grandpa Hatch's house by accident. Santa left Moses a Dinosaur. Please excuse the morning-ness of this picture..I am sure no one will appreciate it like we do.

Moses big ticket item from Santa this year were his hulk hands. Oh my gosh, he has wanted these for months after playing with them at our awesome friends Gabe's house. If you ask him what Santa is bringing him, he will tell you "Santa bring me hulk hands like Gabers" Isabella was so happy with some beads, clothes, and a puppy in my pocket set.

On the 25th, our Christmas eve, we worked on a gingerbread house and watched Barbies "A Christmas Carol" It was a fun afternoon.

Later that night, we made cookies. Santa really likes these cookies, so we opted for peanut butter chocolate chip, with a roll in sugar for good measure, as opposed to the fancy sprinkly ones. Santa ate them all.

Later that night, Bella wrote a letter to Santa:

Dear Santa, I Love U Santa. I hope U bring all of my presents. thank you for all of the elves help. Thank you for leaving me a bell by my bed

(heart)
Cresmes bells.

Then we set it by the fire place and went to bed.

We loved getting so many Christmas cards this year from our family and friends near and far. Thank you.

"Christmas, chilren, is not a date, it is a state of mind" -Mary Ellen Chase.