A Merry Christmas Thankful Thursday!

Today for Thankful Thursday Iris asked us to share a Christmas memory from our childhood. I have so many things I remember about the Christmases we shared growing up....selecting a tree and then not getting to decorate it immediately because my Dad would say it had to "draw out." This always made me feel impatient because I wanted to decorate it as soon as we brought it home. He would put it in the stand and let it set (even overnight sometimes). I remember my Mom putting the star on top of the tree. I remember driving around to look at Christmas lights. I remember in 3rd grade the play we did for Christmas and I was an angel. I remember the fun little school Christmas parties we'd have and the apple ornament I received each year with my name on it. I remember the get-togethers with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. One year my Mom crocheted each of her nieces/nephews a blanket with a matching doorstop. I remember traveling to see my family in east Texas and staying with them over Christmas. I'm thankful for all of these special memories and special times with family.

When I read the idea to share a childhood Christmas memory, the one that popped into my head first was when Peepaw (my grandfather) came to our house to watch me open my gifts one Christmas morning. I don' t know how old I was, but I remember him sitting on our couch. I was guessing what the gifts were and one I said must be an elephant because it was such a large box! Actually it was a cradle for my baby dolls. I don't know why I remember this, but every Christmas I think of it! Another special Christmas memory also involves Peepaw. He made things out of wood and one year he made something special for everyone it seemed. His daughters got wooden quilt racks. For me he made a hope chest. It was hiding behind the couch. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. We have a picture of me hugging him when I opened my eyes to see it the first time. That year he had had health problems and some surgeries. He was worried about finishing the hope chest. He did get it finished thought. On the top is a little gold-plated tag that reads "To My Sweetheart From Peepaw (92)." My hope chest remains a special treasure for me along with the story behind it.

I have so many more memories I could share, like my first with my husband when we started dating or Caleb's first Christmas morning. Christmas is a special time. Today my heart remembers these past Christmases, and I give thanks for my family and special memories. I am thankful for the true meaning of the season, our Savior coming to earth as a baby. Merry Christmas to you. I hope you have a blessed day full of joy and special memories with your loved ones!

Edited: Tonight I remembered this song and wanted to share it with you all on my Christmas Thankful Thursday. I couldn't find the lyrics but then found a video of it on youtube with the lyrics on it. Enjoy!



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"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:15-20