Christmas Angel

We love watching movies. On Sundays, we try to pick one that is inspiring for the day and to get us motivated for the next week. The reason I'm telling you that is because we watched one today that I thought was worth sharing. It's called Christmas Angel. It came out in 2009 and is a great movie for this time of year. Here's the basic plot summary from IMDB:

 "Ashley has been on her own all her life. She feels even more alone this Christmas as she searches fruitlessly for a job. The seasonal cheer around her only rubs salt in her wounds as she scrapes by to support herself and her dog, Dash. But her neighbor, Nick, knows exactly what to do. He offers her a job, to be his assistant in the best work-helping others. There's one catch that Ashley must honor though-she can't tell anyone that her new boss is a sort of Secret Santa, helping others anonymously. Through her new job, Ashley meets Will, a writer for a business magazine who uncovers what Ashley is doing, and more importantly, Nick's involvement. As Ashley and Nick help people in need, Ashley tries to protect Nick's secret, and her own heart, while Will must weigh the consequences of what he does."

It's a great movie about Christmas and giving. One man decides to go out of his way to help those around him and changes their lives. He has the attitude that everyone is in need of something, we just need to stop and pay attention to the needs of others. (The movie is on Hulu and probably elsewhere if you want to watch it, it's awesome.) "Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." I think that's a great reminder, especially around this time of year. To all of you, each fighting your own battle... you are loved. You are appreciated. What you do does matter. Someone you know needs you to love them unconditionally. Someone around you needs to see your smile. Someone you love is struggling and needs you to only show that you care about them. You're enough. You do enough. You are perfectly the only you, no one else compares. Be you.

Watching this movie reminded me of an experience that Bryce and I had around Christmas in the first year that we were married. Like others, we have our own struggles and battles. That year, we had ups and downs with financial stuff. In the month right after we got married, Bryce got a call from someone he worked with at Ruby Tuesday. They said that the restaurant was closing and all the employees were going to lose their jobs. We were both stunned by the out-of-the-blue news. To put it simply, we were about to embark on the thrift train. Thanks to some savings and school grants, we were able to pay bills and have the basic needs taken care of. I can't write this without adding that we would've been lost without the blessings of tithing. The blessings were simple and significant to us, and seemed to come at the right time. We felt very blessed to be provided for in that tough time without a job. (Thankfully, Bryce was able to get a part-time teaching job through CES/seminary later that year.) Anyway, we had an experience with a "Christmas angel" near that year's Christmas. One night we heard the doorbell... we looked outside and there was no one there, but we saw that someone had left a jar of coins. We were amazed and so grateful that someone had thought of us. We still don't know who it was, but whoever you are, thank you soooo much. That is an experience that we will always remember. The Lord is aware of each person and their needs, and sometimes he sends another to let you know that He is aware of you. I'm grateful for each tender mercy from the Lord. His love is infinite and unconditional for each of us. Even when life is a bit tough or memories are hard to bear, it's comforting to know that God and the love that He has for us will always be there. Keep your chin up, you're amazing.

P.S.- Happy Anniversary to my sweet amazing husband, Bryce Skelton! ♥ 12/30/10. He is my everything and I'm so grateful that God let me meet him all those years ago. I feel blessed to be married to the most wonderful man that I know. He's my best friend and he makes me laugh every day. Marriage is so sacred and one of the greatest blessings that God has given us. :]

I love you Bryce! 

Love, T

Let me sum up.

   We went to a hockey game with some of Bryce's family while they were up in SLC for Thanksgiving. Hockey is fun to watch, especially with all the intensity/fights in the arena. One of our favorite quotes from one of the other fans was, "Drop the puck, chubby!"  and the same guy called the referee Petey a few times, so we thought maybe he knows him haha. Also, during a break in the game, there was a kiss cam to find couples in the crowd for the big screens. The camera people zoomed in on Pete and Aeme and they kissed, but sitting right next to them was Tyler... making a funny almost disgusted face, probably showing off for the camera haha wish we had a picture of that moment.

^ Some of the family

Tyler left on his mission! To Mississippi. We were glad to spend time with the family and see him before he left for the MTC. We know he'll be a great missionary, and it sounds like he's enjoying his mission so far. 

We had fun seeing some of the Mills at the family adult Christmas party! The white elephant gift exchange was a bit lengthy and silly, but we came away with some cute decorations. The party planners (Frank and Lavon, I think) did a great job, simple and amazing. It was great to see everyone that was there :-)

We found Monopoly at Walmart for pretty cheap, so we decided to get it. I guess we started a new holiday tradition... play monopoly until unreasonable hours of the night while listening to Christmas music!

I thought that this Christmas present that Bryce got online was pretty funny... haha 

(Picture from one of our fun date nights, we got to see Frozen and eat some yummy In and Out Burgers!) Oh yeah, and it snows a lot. We're getting used to it, but it's definitely colder than we're used to. Yay for snow shovels and ice-melter salt stuff... And yay for heaters and warm clothes. Anyway... 

We were super excited and determined to try and find a bigger Christmas tree this year, because last year we just used a little bitty one. Bryce found an awesome one at Savers thrift store. Yay!  It had some lights out for a while, but Bryce found a light fixer thing and he made the tree all bright and lovely again!  

(Pajama present on Christmas eve tradition... with our lil' tree... we got some comfy pj's,woo!) Christmas was a fun day!

And a random picture of a food we just discovered. "Buckeyes"  ... incredibly rich delicious and a kind of easy recipe if you have a million powdered sugar. Here's a link to someone's recipe if you want to try these bad boys. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buckeyes-i/

Merry Christmas and happy holidays all you cool people!

Love, Us

Happy December!

It's not Christmas yet, but Merry Christmas to you, our amazing family and friends! I read a quote somewhere that said "Today is next year's Christmas memories, make it one that you will always cherish."     I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes in the holiday season... I forget to stop and think. December is a busy month with all the ward/work/family parties, college finals for some, work, and all the other things that seem to happen right near Christmas. It's good to recognize that the time to enjoy Christmas is right now, and we don't have to overwhelm ourselves with the cultural holiday to-do's. The messages in our church today had a lot to do with remembering the true meaning of Christmas. We celebrate the Savior's birth, but we also celebrate His life and His love for us. He is the reason that we can have hope and happiness, and He has already given us the greatest gift.  Everything about Christmas can be symbolic and turn us towards Christ. When I realize that, and when I stop and think, Christmas becomes more meaningful and Christmas spirity.  We feel extremely grateful to have such incredible family and friends. You all mean a lot to us and we hope you're doing well wherever you are! 

(On a side note... and definitely off topic haha... we won some tickets to go and see The Hobbit and Frozen this month. They are awesome movies, we recommend them!) What are some of your favorite holiday movies and traditions? We're beginning to make our own traditions and it's fun to celebrate Christmas in our first home that we plan to live in for longer than a year yay! We've moved once every year since we got married and it feels great to live in a nice place that we can stay in for a while. We're grateful to be in an amazing ward and have great neighbors. (On another side note, I'm so so proud of Bryce for doing so great in all of his college classes this semester. He is working full time and working on his Master's degree at the same time. He spent a lot of time writing quite a few papers for his finals this month, and he got A's in his classes. He amazes me evvvery-day. I'm grateful to be married to the most amazing man I know.)

 Anyways, Merry Christmas everyone! 

We hope your 2013 has been great and that you have a happy New Year! 

Love, Bryce and Tiah...

 Eskeleto