Let me paint you a little picture...

and take you back one year ago.
A year ago at this time we were oh soooo poor.
A year ago, Nathan and I were both going to school.
A year ago, I was sick and pregnant throwing up!
A year ago, Nathan was working doing framing and construction.
A year ago, I was watching a girl down the street each afternoon with Taya.
A year ago, we cleaned an office 4 times a week at night, with Taya, an 18 month old.
A year ago, we then woke up at 3:30 am every morning for our paper route (and in case you were wondering, you NEVER get a day off, EVER- not even Christmas!))
A year ago, I was buying Taya's 5 Christmas presents at the dollar spot at Target! :(
A year ago, we bought nothing for each other.
A year ago, our lives were CRAZY!
I don't know how we survived, but we made it. And with all these jobs, you may think we had money, but oh, we did not. I have never been so poor in my life! But somehow we paid our tithing and things always worked out! And now...
Today, I am not prego or throwing up.
Today, Nathan works for a great company and is making enough for our little family.
Today, I don't have to work and get to stay at home with my two little monkeys!
Today, we get to spend our evenings at home together, and our early a.m.s still in bed!
Today, we get to give presents to each other and to our friends and family!:)
Today, our lives are great! And although this blog may seem a little greedy and all about money, it really is a testament of tithing! It works, we are on earth and we all need temporal blessings. Well, when we pay our tithing, we receive those blessings! And now we will be able to give more to those around us, and that makes me, oh so happy!!!!!! :)

Happy Holidays, be grateful, and be generous!