It came without ribbons....

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling, and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

I hope your Christmas was more. I hope that your day was bountiful not by the gifts you received but the love in your heart, and it carries with you all year long!

What's in a name?

What's in a name? Aren't you curious as to what your name means? Any nicknames? Nicknames are always given for a reason. Don't you think it is interesting to find out what others got their nicknames from? Funny stories, we have all got them, and our families usually have many that have nicknames for one reason or another.



Why is my blog named Live Laugh Lovely? When I first started this blog, I couldn't think of what to name it. I filled out all the important information and as it asked me what I was going to name my blog, I sat and looked blankly. I thought, how can I start a blog, know what to type-what to talk about, if I don't even know what to name it? Then this is going to be a name that sets my blogs apart from the rest and I couldn't think.... I hit a brick wall. I had heard the saying, Live well, Laugh often, Love much and thought I would shorten it to Live Laugh Love. It was taken. So I added the ly on the love to make, uh... you guessed it Lovely. I wiked it. So there you go, now you know and you can get on with your life! Love learning out what is in a name! Why, how, when- someone got there name or nicknames. It defines them. For the rest of their lives.




The most important name that I have learned the name for means God of Salvation. Jesus Chist. The New Testament was written in Greek, and the name "Jesus" here means the same in Greek as the Hebrew name "Joshua." "Joshua" means literally God is salvation. So the angel's message to Joseph was "You shall call His name 'God is salvation,' for He will save His people from their sins." That name tells us of Jesus' purpose in God's plan-that it is through Him that God saves humanity.



There are things I can tolerate and things I can't. I cannot stand it when people take the Lord's name in vain. IS there anything else you can say besides that? He put you on this earth. Died for your sins. When things don't go right, as they many times don't in an imperfect world, don't take His name in vain. Remember what his name means. Remember the love He has for you. Celebrate it this Season, because He is the Reason. Carry that feeling with you all year round, and when you say his name, say it in thankfulness and gratitude for the life He gave you.

Tis the season, but what's the reason?

Ahhh. Sunday. Sunday evening at my house. The sights and sounds in my house right now are; My son is sitting next to me, as I type this. He is making up a new song with his guitar. It sounds amazing, but have I mentioned he is amazing? My daughter is giggling as she watches her favorite video. Other than that the only sound is the humming of my computer and the clicking of my fingers on this keyboard.

I can't believe this is the 7th of December. 18 days until Christmas. Let me grab my megaphone. 18 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!

My shopping is almost completed. It's easy when you are broke, uh... on a budget! Insert sarcastic smile followed by laughter followed by tears here.

I was shopping the other night for the occasion. Christmas music was over the speakers, I had my warm puffy coat on and was warm, warm in my heart, in my spirit and in my outlook that even though I am short on funds this year my children will have a GREAT Christmas this year.

My excited-ness paused for a moment when I saw different families in the store, running around frantically and stressed. I heard a women who's little girl was looking at DVDs shouted to her very young daughter just to shut up and leave her alone. She had many ,what appeared to be gifts, in her cart, and I think the stress of the money she was about to spend overwhelmed her. I saw another family with a small baby fighting, with a full cart of what also appeared to be gifts. I'm a single mom. On a very small budget. I'm not stressed about Christmas. I'm excited, my kids are excited. They know not to ask for much. My son had just a few things on his list and is so concerned that I get what I want. I want a blessed day. With my blessed family. For we have warmth in our hearts and in our knowing of what the Season is about. It's not about gift cards and jewelry or toys. The biggest gift is the love we give to our families and the appreciation of what the day stands for. Jesus was born on Christmas Day. He is the gift. Every day. December 25th-through the next December 25th. Every day we receive the gift of Him. You can't charge that or wrap it or return or exchange it. You can give it. Give it in the form of loving your neighbor. Open the door for the elderly woman at the post office. Follow someone to the car in the parking lot that is not physically able to get around well and help them unload their groceries. Give a smile to someone who looks like they are lost in the world. Wave at the stranger driving down the street. Love. It's the best gift you can give. I look forward the most to playing games with my family on Christmas day. The sounds of laughter and silliness and happiness, those are the times I cherish. Do you remember much of what you got last year? I can't. I do remember the love I felt with the family I am so blessed to have and the amazing thing is it is free.

Enjoy the season, remember the reason. The gifts are all around you, tell them all how much you love them. For they are the people around you in your life. There are so many miracles in your life, happening all around you, right now. Notice them! Then say a prayer thanking Him for the price He paid for everyone of the gifts you get to cherish EVERYDAY. Not just December 25th.

Out of the mouths of....

Isn't it amazing what kids say? I mean really. My son says the most profound things. Let me start over. My son. He is 10. He has an ooooollllldddd soul. He says and thinks and ponders things kids his age aren't worried about. He feels for others and thinks ahead about his life and the meaning of it. He is amazing. Lately he has been coming up with his own motivational quotes, to help him think positively. Recently he came up with a few I thought were justifiably genius. He is after all, my son. Insert sarcastic smile here.

Be careful not to
crack the vase that holds your truth.

Attitudes are
contagious, is yours worth catching?

Today is just the tomorrow you
worried about yesterday.

God bless you son, you are a wonderful young man. I love you and so proud of the person you are.