Merry Christmas to All!

This year the President of the United States sent a Christmas card that said “Happy Holidays!” Many people in the country thought he should have said some less politically correct and just say Merry Christmas. Before this happened my employer, Terry Dempsey has repeatedly expressed his displeasure of people sending cards that say happy holidays, or season’s greetings. He is of a strong opinion that we are celebrating the birth of Christ and therefore should say Merry Christmas and not try to be politically correct. So, I put my “creative juices” toward creating him a Merry Christmas” card. This is the end result.

My first ice storm~what an awesome sight

We had a rain storm move through Snellville. When I went to work the rain was pouring down and ice was forming on the trees. What an awesome sight...I'm used to having ice form as the snow melts, not freezing as it falls from the sky. The roads didn't get too slick and by about 12 noon it had warmed up and the ice began to melt. Unfortunately the girl in our office had the day off and her power went out. So she ended up coming into work so she could stay warm. Our power did not go out.

My Brothers

This is my brother Dan...The photo was take by my sister Judy when she went to visit him about 2003, in Utah. Dan does construction and is considering retirement. But he's such an active guy I don't think he'll stay retired too long. One cool thing about him is that he took a truck load of things the he and his friends collected and drove them to Mississippi right after hurricane Katrina hit. He's a very generous person, I'm glad he is my brother.

Here is a family photo of Brevan, Kristin & kids. It was taken in Logan, Utah during the summer of 2005. He was there doing an internship with some doctor. They are now back in Connecticut & school...Unless he is on his Christmas trip out West. Brevan is the same age as my son Nick. He seems more like a nephew or friend than brother. One neat thing about him is that he did a 100% turn around in his life when he was 19 years old. He went on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A new Barfuss Tradition?

Well, this year I started a new tradition, I hope. Kaye Baugh made 4 trees out of fabric for me, from my design. There are 24 ornaments out of fabric with rings under them. Here's how it will work if my children want to participate. Each family will send 1 small present to every member in the family. They will mail them so they arrive before November 30th. The family who gets the gifts will then tie them on to their tree on November 30 and hand it up. Then each day throughout the month of December 1 person from each family will open a present from someone who loves them. This will hopefully help us love and appreciate all the good times we have had together and help us focus more on the love at Christmas instead of over spending on presents for each other. If you like the idea please comment in the comments. This year I provided all 24 presents for everyone,I bought too big of presents so I had to modify how to attach them. I think it would be better to make sure the presents were small. Next year if we continue the tradition I will send my 1 present per person and them make up the rest for each family. For example: Max's family will get: sally-4, nick-4, and us-4; equaling 12, I would then send 12 to make it 24. Here is a photo of our tree with the presents (sent by Dad & Kaye). I love the idea and hope you do too!

Christmas is Love!

I attended our Ward Relief Society Christmas Party on Dec 7. It was beautifully decorated with lights strung throughout the entire gym making a false ceiling of Strings of Christmas light that were all white. They had poinsettias every where and trees with lights. We had hor'dervers in the RS room and chatted then moved to the gym for dinner. While we ate dinner we had live piano music played by my friend Irene's daughter. She plays beautifully and it was so awesome to have Christmas music live while we ate. Then we had three sisters who shared their feeling and love for Our Savior Jesus Christ. They were eloquent, moving, and filled with the spirit. As I participated I looked around and realized that in just 9 short months I had become well acquainted with 90% of the Sister in the Ward and feel a great love for each and everyone, individually. LOVE was in abundance! I am blessed to have been here and learned about so very many people who are special to our Father in Heaven and to me! Merry Christmas. Christmas is love!

Christmas music and baking smells are in the air! Christmas decorations and thoughts fill the house with LOVE!

The stockings are hung on the fireplace
The angels and lights are on the tree

The Cards are in the foyer

We are loving talking to all our family members one at a time! We are thankful for all the love you all extend to us. Hope you are feeling the Christmas spirit at your house too!