"Bells will be ringing..."

As Christmas time approaches, I am especially excited about this being my first Christmas as a wife, with an apartment to decorate all my own, new traditions to start, and wonderful memories to make. I thought I'd just share a peek into the Peck holiday household for those of you who may care. Our Christmas tree actually came named for us; the guys at the tree place had named each and every tree in the lot- ours was named "Fruit Loop". As you can see, he and Jeter enjoy watching the yard together :)

Last weekend, Geoff and I went and picked out our "First Christmas Together" ornament and had it specialized all our own. Its pretty cute, if we do say so ourselves. Not to brag or anything... our ornaments may be few and far between, but they all mean something to us and we plan to keep it that way. Trees decorated just for the sake of decoration aren't as special to me (hope I did not just offend someone!). We've even included Jeter in the family ornament!

We hope you all are enjoying preparing for this holiday season, and taking time to remember why it is we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Christmas has always been special to me because of the time spent with family. I grew up celebrating Christmas around a large dinner table packed with relatives; learning how to make napkin flowers and where to put the salad fork from my Aunt Donna; learning teamwork and love by watching my grandma, her sisters and daughters all pitching in to clean up the dishes just in time to put the desserts out on the table; and coming to understand the importance and bond of family, that even though that day may be the only day I'd see some relatives all year, we shared a love and a genuine caring for one another that remained strong regardless of time spent together simply because we were family. This year will be different as we spend Christmas not with extended family but with my parents and siblings in Mexico. It is sure to be a special celebration.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year, many changes and many blessings... but most of all the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom all other blessings come and to which nothing else compares. May He find His way into your hearts this season.