Christmas in Review

I feel like I've been in a small tornado for 3 days and just got thrown out of it. Cooking, cleaning, eating, playing, cooking, cleaning,eating, playing. Not much sleeping, and throw in teaching YW, a temple recommend interview with the Stake President, Kevin & Amy speaking in the Spanish branch, and ending with a big Cox family Party. Could we have squeezed anymore in? Oh yes I forgot - Ed and I got new callings too. (Added on to our old callings)
Thank goodness I don't work this week, I slept all day today. But I just would like to say a few words about our family. I love them to pieces! Saturday was so fun being all together. We had a new BB ball game in the basement that kept everyone entertained as well as nerf rifles for the grandsons, even though their dads seemed to have more fun with them than they did. I would also like to thank the whole Cox family for another successful family party. I know that we are all pooped by the time this party rolls around and I am probably the first one to say we shouldn't have it, but it always turns out. You always come through. It takes alot of love to hold a big family together and I hope you all know you are loved so much. I know that mom is overwhelmed by the money given to her - and she wants you all to know how much she appreciates it. I was looking over our big group last night and I thought - how blessed we are - its not easy keeping a family this big -close. Thanks to a Mom and Dad for all you've done to keep us this way.

Cox Family Christmas Party

OK everybody. There will be a Cox Family Christmas Party. It will be held at my house on Sunday- December 26th 5:00 pm. Notice this is not on Christmas - its on Sunday! There will be a gift exchange game so. if you want to participate bring a gift. (a nice gift please) Bring something you might want to win or take home. It can be something new, slightly used or something regifted. Of course there will always be the gift every wants and fights for and the gift no one wants but gets passed around and around.
Also bring finger food or treats to share with everyone. We will also have a Money jar for Grandma Cox. You can donate what ever you wish - small or large - this helps pay her car insurance for the year and she appreciates it so much. (And she does not expect it - we just like to do it)
I know my house is not that big and it will be tight but hopefuly we can all fit and the kids won't be too rowdy. If you have any questions - call me. Aunt Lorrie

Tree's up!!

Yes its artificial. But when you have a husband who builds a big fire in the fireplace 24/7 and keeps the room at 80 all day there is no way a real tree would survive. My trees are getting smaller and smaller as the years go by. And I'm putting up less decorations. Turning into my mom I guess. Something I never thought I would say. Some year we'll just put up a wreath and call it good. I love the Christmas music and all the memories it brings back of the wonderful Christmas's my mom and dad used to make for us. I hope my kids feel the same way. We didn't have alot of money most years but we tried to make each one special in some way. Now each of our children are making memories for their children. I do love Christmas time - its stressful but I love it. I love the message of the first Presidency in their Christmas message tonight, Take the worldliness out of Christmas and make it more about Christ. I do think gifts are an important part of Christmas -not getting - but giving. And I don't think big and extravagant are what its all about either. I think when we worry and stress about gifts thats what ruins the Christmas spirit. We should be more about helping others who have less, and giving suprises to people who aren't expecting anything. Not expecting anything in return. I think thats what Christmas is about.