It’s very chilly out but now Harlow is sleeping in my lap while I finish up wrapping gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given

And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came…

And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.

For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand…

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.

And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.

And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.
(scriptures)

I have totally neglected my blog. I don’t even know why. I guess I’ve just been a busy little bee.

Yesterday while walking Harlow I was also writing little letters in my head.

Dear Harlow,
I’m sorry my aim is so bad when throwing your toys – I promise I’m not aiming for your sweet little noggin.

Dear heater,
Is there a reason you work in every room in the house but mine? I’m getting chilly!

Dear Primary kiddies,
I am SO sad this year is ending and we are splitting up. I am going to miss you a lot.

Dear blogger/twitter friends,
Thanks for making the work day fly by!

Dear friends having babies,
I am SO happy for you! I can’t wait to meet your little ones.

Dear un-done laundry,
You are becoming a permanent fixture in my room. I’m only one person, how can this be?

Dear Utah friends,
I miss you a lot. A LOT.

Dear California weather,
I love you. A LOT.

Dear self,
Relax, it’s almost Christmas!

Love, Vanessa

photo credit

I don’t quite remember how I found Shana Rae’s photostream– I think it was probably this photo – “My First Love” but her beautiful photos lead me to her blog – “Waiting for Sophie” and I was touched. Her blog starts off describing the process of waiting to adopt their darling Sophie Lu from China. When they started the process they knew her name would be Sophie… and they waited.

While I was home sick a few weeks ago I was reading old posts on their blog and was moved by the love in each post and photo. How wonderful. Every child should be so loved.

My favorite recent post is Sophie’s Christmas wishlist.

Photo credit: Shana Rae

I’m guest blogging today!

You’ll find me over at HiP Paris (the blog for Haven in Paris ). I got to blog about one of my favorite books written by one of my favorite bloggers and of course it was about one of my favorite cities.

Photo credit: Pia Jane Bijkerk

One of the most inspiring bloggers and photographers I’ve found is Pia Jane Bijkerk. I am always moved by her writing and photographs and adventures. If you haven’t already you should take a minute and explore her blog house and I’m certain you will be enchanted with her world.

One of my favorite posts was when she did a self portrait. My first thought was “how brave”. And then in her own special way she decorated her “self” with ribbons and a feather or two.

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
William Wadsworth Longfellow

all images belong to Pia

One of my favorite things about Christmas is exchanging cards. First I love getting mail and second I love sending mail. Also, I love each of you for stop by and taking the time to comment.

So if you would like a Christmas card I’d love to send you one. Just send me a little note with your address to joiebutter @ gmail.com (if you’re not already on my list.) I can’t promise anything handmade but it will be cute and maybe I’ll through in something extra.

Yay for the holidays!

photo credit: jen gotch

I had so much fun “shopping” for the fist gift guide I decided to do a second.

A pair of beautifully simple earrings ($24)

The most amazing, unscented hand cream ($15.50)

A fun treat like chocolate covered corn nuts. ($15)

I love this one-line-a-day journal. ($11.53)

I Love Macarons ($14.95)

I LOVE this Come Along Weekly Planner ($16)

Darling little laboratory flower vases ($14)

Keep Calm bandages ($8)

What’s on your wishlist?

“People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.”
Norman Cousins

I’m so ready for 2010. No offense 2009 but I’m washing my hands of you. You were a tricky little year and I fear that in many cases you got your way. But it’s okay because 2010 has promised to be full of opportunity, inspiration and adventure. I trust you 2010.

This next year is going to be decision making time in quite a few aspects of my life. Oh decisions… and choices… I’m not so good at them

But this got me thinking about the decisions I’ve made that I’m proud of and have not regretted or second guessed. What made those decisions easy? They were the decisions that were 100% mine. It was when I was doing what I knew in my heart I wanted to do. Not what I thought I should be doing, not what my friends were necessarily doing, and not what was always the easiest or most practical.

When I was 19 I left home for the first time to live in the UK for a year. Why? Because I’d become obsessed with The Real World London reruns. I wasn’t worried about whether it was normal to leave the country for a year after high school or that most of my friends were sticking around home, and it never occurred to me that it might be a “waste of time”.

There are other examples of course: switching jobs, the decision to be baptized, leaving California to go to BYU, moving back to London the second time, getting a puppy, and the decision to go on a mission to name a few.

Maybe I’m not so bad at making desicions when I listen to my heart and to my Heavenly Father.

I need to remember that this year.

Photo via Pia Jane Bijkerk – she hit the self timer and ran. So awesome. If there is anyone to inspire you to follow your dreams it’s Pia.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank

I’m working on a post about an amazing non-profit organization called The Rohde Foundation which is bringing health care to rural Africa. I’m so proud of Jesse and the work he’s doing. It truly is changing the world.