Real Life: The Mansion

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Mansion

by Henry Van Dyke
I read this tonight.
I watched the Christmas Devotional because I missed it on Sunday. Pres. Monson spoke about the stories and books that he reads every year around Christmas and he mentioned this one. I had never heard of it, so I went to Google books and there it was, a free book to read online. It didn't even take an hour to read, but it was a very touching story that I hope will stay with me forever. It makes you want to be better and do better; I love those kind of books. :) I truly want to have the Christmas Spirit this year and I want especially my children to feel it.
I admit, I get a little too excited for the presents my children will get, I want to spoil them, I want them to LOVE Christmas, I can be very foolish. My adorable husband keeps reminding me that that is NOT what Christmas is about. I love him. I love that he can stay so grounded and know what is more important for our children in the long run.
I keep reading/hearing stories about the most memorable Christmases that different people have; they are never about receiving gifts, always, ALWAYS they are about how they were able to give something, truly give without anything expected in return.
I'm going to pray that our family can enjoy this true Spirit of Christmas this season, and I hope that you can find it with your family too.
Merry Christmas!!!

3 comments:

Mark and Stacey Roylance said...: love it :); December 9, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Tiffany said...: denise, thanks for the tip on the Mansion. I tried to find it at my library and was unable! Hey, I'm needing your address to send a Christmas card. Email me at tiffany_idiart@yahoo.com. Thanks!; December 13, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Wanda Dalley said...: I love your blog Denise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well as your pictures. You are an inspiration to me. We are happy you had such a nice Christmas and making such fun memories.; December 27, 2010 at 7:28 AM

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Will-isms

Will: (Speaking about us and where we live:
"I like the house, I just don't like the family."

(Driving home from our friend's house late at night)
Will: "I know how to read in my head. I just sit there and do nothing."

Will (doing his "job", cleaning his room):"That's why I like James so much, his job is just to be cute."

Will, calling for help from the bathroom:
"Moooommmm! I'm dooonnne!
Mom enters the bathroom:
Will: "I'm glad it's you."
Mom: "What do you mean?"
Will: "Sometimes I call for Mom and Dad comes."
Mom: "Oh..."
Will: "I like to call for different characters in our family."

Will at the dinner table:
"I don't like corn."
"...and here's the other thing about corn, I don't like beans."
12/13/09

Will: (Running down the hallway toward me) Mom! Mom! Will you call the police on daddy when he gets home?
Mom: Call the police on daddy? Why?
Will: Because I don't want him to see the big mess I made.

Will: Mom, can I have a sugar stick?(One of those Dip stick things)
Mom: No, not right now, you've already had a treat.
Will: Mom, can I get a prize from the prize box? (Little treats and toys for doing chores etc.)
Mom: Not right now, lets get our work done.
Will: (Quite frustrated) Mom! I want a treat! Can I have a treat!
Mom: Not right now, lets eat lunch first OK?
Will: D_ _ _!
Mom: What did you say?
Patrick: Oh, he just said, Daahhh!
Mom: Oh
Will: No, I said Damn

Life-Changing Book

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century by Oliver Van DeMille

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I feel inspired to be better, teach my children to be better, and to get educated and love education. I really feel like this is a worth-while read, a book that everyone should read, it truly gave me great perspective to how I want to change my learning process. I want my children to start this "new process" right away, so they don't have to start over when they are 30 years old... :)

View all my reviews.