Christmas in July

I felt like we should do something special today. Summer is slipping by so fast. Some days are full and busy, and other days are empty and lazy. I like a mixture of both activity and peace in my life; it keeps things balanced. Balance helps with feeling a sense of happiness. I like happiness.

A friend recently reminded me of the importance of living in the moment, and enjoying the now. Sometimes I find myself always wondering and dreaming of the future, with all of the unknowns and possibilities. I believe in looking to the future with hope, but I also believe the future is today; this day. It might as well be enjoyed! Who knows what tomorrow will bring? No one knows. Today is ours to fully grasp and enjoy.

I had some other things planned today, but I set them all aside so we could do Christmas in July. It was a random thought I woke up with. I presented the idea to the kids and they were super excited! We all ran to the store and gathered some ingredients to bake -- something I have not really done all summer. But now that the AC is working, I feel like baking/cooking again! Hooray!

When we got home from the store with our goodies, I turned on Christmas music, and we began to decorate the kitchen. The children made snowflakes and gathered some winter items. My favorite thing was when William, my 8 year old, grabbed the scriptures and placed them on the table and said, "This is the real meaning of Christmas." It made my heart happy that he knows what is really important. It also made me think how lucky we are to have the scriptures, and that we are able to learn of Jesus everyday, all year long.

That light of Christmas -- the Light of Christ -- can be with us all year long!

We danced around the kitchen singing, "I'll be Home for Christmas," and other favorite holiday songs. I felt a surge of joy flow through my body. Christmas music is so nostalgic and thick with memory. We had so much fun baking and being together as a family. (Except for Daniel, he is at Scout Camp.) The children were so happy just to have quality time together. We are together all the time, but sometimes it is just lounging in the backyard, going for a walk, or other summer lazy-days activities. It is different when the effort is made, the kids LOVE it.

After some baking and decorating we took a break to watch some Disney Christmas parades on youtube, on the TV. Henry was so excited about the parade, he shrieked with joy every time he saw Mickey, or the other characters he recognized. Disneyland is also a place of great memories and I get all emotional whenever I watch the shows. You can look up pretty much any show and ride on youtube, the fireworks shows are ridiculously amazing. I am always just so amazed at how spectacular a place it is. I am hoping for another trip there sooner than later. I love it during the holiday season, there is nothing better. It is so magical. It was fun to travel there today, even just on a screen that stirred up excitement and memory.

Good times.

We had a great Christmas in July. I think this might become a new tradition.