Christmas and other things

Christmas was so special this year! Funds have been low due to so much traveling for funerals and such that we were going to have a very small Christmas. But someone in our ward family found out and got a number of presents for our children and even some for Richard and I. I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude! I cried off and on most of Christmas! We have been so blessed this year!! I hope in the upcoming years we can do the same for others! We were so so grateful!!

(Richard got me a puzzle for Christmas this year. It was fun to put together!)


Well, a couple days after Christmas, one of my friends from high school lost her father to pancreatic cancer. My heart aches for her and her family! I am so thankful they got to spend one last Christmas together! What a blessing! I remember my friend often telling me throughout high school all the things her father used to teach her and the things they would do together as a family. She knew the scriptures inside and out. I always thought it was so neat that her father taught her so much about the gospel and that they had such a close relationship! I hope she is feeling peace at this time! I wonder if my father got to be there to help Brother Wright transition!

I talked with my mom a couple days ago and she wondered if my father was happy. I haven't felt anything but happiness from him since his passing. He is out of pain and has so many less limitations. I still miss him like crazy, though. My sister said this morning "I didn't know crying could go on for so long". Boy, no kidding!! I got one of his books in the mail today - a signed copy - and I just held it and cried. And my brother made a memorial video of my father that was really beautiful! I cried through that too! I miss him so much. I know the pain will fade in time, but for now, it's still hurts!

I have decided to make some changes for the new year and set myself some really good goals! I have lots to work on! I'm looking forward to a new year!

Time of Year

I know this is supposed to be a joyous time of year, but I'm really having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. My dad always made a big deal about serving people at Christmas time! I miss that! And I remember the first year that my brother and his wife sent us the Christmas story they had created about their little Lili. I still have it saved on my computer so I can look at it. And I'm certain this has got to be a rough Christmas for Uncle Jim's family too. And just today I learned that a friend of mine from high school is losing her father to pancreatic cancer. It is hard to find joy and happiness when such sadness is hanging about. I am trying, though. I have decided to try and enjoy one blessing at a time, one joy at a time. To help, a friend suggest that I make angel ornaments with the faces of my loved ones lost, to hang on my Christmas tree. And oddly enough, that has really helped!

It is also the time of year for colds and flu - bleh! Emma has had trouble sleeping the past couple nights because she's got a croupy cold. I'm grateful for Christmas break and that I don't have to get up really early. That has been a blessing. I will certainly rest easier when she's better, though.

I had the worst realization a couple days ago when I received a Christmas card from a cousin. All three of her girls have grown up, graduated, and moved out of the house. I remember all of their births. Time really is a fleeting thing! It won't be long before all my little ones will be grown and gone too. And for as much sleep as I haven't had over the past few years, and the worries, and frustrations - it won't be long before they're gone and I know I will miss this time. I'm trying to make more of an effort to enjoy the little things and not worry so much!

Snow, Tooth, and Balloons

We got a lot of snow the day before yesterday - somewhere between 8 and 10 inches. I spent the better part of the day shoveling our walk way and helping 4 of our neighbors do the same. It started snowing Nov 30th and snowed all through the night and most of the next day. We built a snowman and half of an igloo (plus shoveled the walkways and driveways) before my back couldn't take any more. Jared was soaked from head to toe - but he had a lot of fun. The girls came out later than him and played for a couple hours. We all had fun!

They declared a snow day here yesterday so the kids didn't have to go to school. Most people couldn't even get down our street. I watched the neighbors (4 of them) struggle to move their truck from the driveway to the street corner - about 40 feet. It took them about a half hour. And on the news they said that just for the morning commute alone, yesterday, there were 45 accidents and slide offs. I'm so so very thankful I didn't have to drive anywhere yesterday and neither did Richard!!

Jared lost yet another tooth a couple days ago. We were brushing his teeth and brushed it right out. It flew out, landed on the floor and bounced into the hallway. Much excitement and joy followed this!

Emma is learning so many new words - her newest: Balloon...