This year was much easier decorating for Christmas because we didn't have to drag everything out of the crawl space. We also have so much more room for things. It is so nice! Matthew loves to lay under the tree and stare at the lights.
I don't love the white tree but I got it a couple years ago after Christmas for a great price and they didn't have any green ones left. It is still pretty.
This is in my entry. I have had this manger scene for a long time. I love it.
We got to add another stocking this year!
S this isn't a Christmas decoration but I wanted to share it. I found this great frame collage at Target. It tuned out nice.
We got the two paintings on the side in Venice from a street artist. We just now finally got them framed. The one in the center is a print of Lucca that Jamie got from an olive oil bottle.
I love how it turned out. With Amy's help I was able to decorate with a bunch of vinyl. It turned out really cute. My mom did a great job on the curtains too.
I am going to put a frame up of Matthew's blessing certificate, his blessing typed, and a picture of him in his blessing outfit above the chair.
Matthew loves his changing table. I get more smiles there than anywhere else. He also loves to smile at the pictures of Christ above him.
Great job Mom on the curtains!
I love this saying above his door.
This isn't the cutest dresser but it works. I found it at a yard sale.
The saga of our house remodel continues. We had a really ugly railing in our kitchen when we moved in that we removed to replace the flooring in the kitchen. For months it was left off because we really didn't want to put such an ugly railing back up. Finally with Matthew's blessing soon approaching we knew we needed to do something because we didn't want anyone falling down the stairs. Jamie has become quite the welder recently. We took a trip to metal mart and bought some decorative pieces. Jamie and I both worked for a few days with the help of Dad's equipment and the baby sitting of Ben, Shelby, and Mom. We are really happy about how it turned out.
Sunday was Matthew's blessing day. It was wonderful. His daddy gave him such a beautiful blessing. My sister and mother were kind enough to write it down. I have copied it below. Matthew got to wear his own blessing outfit that his mom made for him 30+ years ago out of his grandfather's old shirt. It looked so cute on Matthew. He was really good during the blessing. His uncle Seth said that smiled and stared at Jamie the whole time. It was great having everyone over afterward for dinner. This was the first big gathering we've had at our house and it was really nice. I am so thankful to have a bigger house now. Matthew also got to meet for the first time this weekend his grandma and grandpa Lucchesi. They were so nice to help us out with getting the house ready while they were here. Here is the beautiful blessing Jamie gave to Matthew.
Matthew’s Baby Blessing
December 6, 2009
Given By Daddy Jamie Lucchesi
Father in heaven, we bring this son before thee with authority in the Melkisedek priesthood to give him a name and a blessing.The name he will be known by upon the records of the church is Matthew Vincenzo Lucchesi
Matthew my son, I bless you that your mind may master scholastics, that your feet may master athletics, that your hands may master the trades and that your heart may master temperance and loving kindness towards all creation.
We bless you that you may gain unto yourself a witness and testimony of Jesus Christ your Savior and his restored gospel and kingdom.We bless you that you will serve the Lord diligently and that you would choose to serve a full time mission as an elder of Israel.
We bless you that you may find a worthy sister of Zion with a testimony like unto yours. Take her up to the house of the Lord there to be sealed for time and all eternity that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity.
We bless you that you may come to appreciate the choice circumstance to which you were born into by being born in the covenant and into this nation.We bless you that by voice and by virtue you may have a hand in keeping this nation’s founding liberties.
Matthew, these are the blessings of your fathers.I give unto you this day in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
"Making the decision to have a child--it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." --Elizabeth Stone
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Elder M. Russell Ballard
"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey, delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." Gordon B. Hinckley
This year was much easier decorating for Christmas because we didn't have to drag everything out of the crawl space. We also have so much more room for things. It is so nice! Matthew loves to lay under the tree and stare at the lights. 
