The Week of Christmas

 Christmas Sunday is always such a special one. We sing my favorite songs and hear lovely musical numbers and the talks are focused on the birth of Christ. I loved the Bishop's message of how the wise men could only seek direction when it was dark and the star was able to be seen in the night sky. (even though he kept saying "the wise men would seek directions every night" and it sounded differently to me)

We came home and had a wonderful chicken n rice meal shared with the sister missionaries. Parker's mission theme of "Its a Small World After All" continues on with one of the sisters being best friends with an Elder in Parker's district. Parker actually spoke with the sisters the day before as he was filling our referrals online so see how our family faired in the mission world. Parker is LOVING his mission, by the way. He's practically glowing in every picture I see of him and he never complains. He doesn't joke about coming home either. Man, I love that boy and am so proud of him. He told us that he gets to sit FRONT ROW during conference so we are planning a trip up there to be there too! How neat to watch conference in the conference center! The kids have never done it before!

Anyhoo, after the sisters left, I bakes 20 plates of cookies for our friends and neighbors while we watched Christmas Vacation and then we had a fun time ding dong ditching everyone that night. Rayleigh even had to brave some raccoons in one neighbors yard!

Monday was super fun because, after getting the house all clean (a miracle) and face-timing with Parker, Angel and the boys came over to play! They swam and we chatted and it was so fun! Then we went to Rainforest Cafe together (Tanner met us there) and we were pleasantly surprised by the whole affair. Steve, our waiter, was excellent, the venue was super fun, and the food was pretty good! The kids LOVE being together and I love every chance I get to spend with my bestie. It was a really wonderful night. 

Tuesday was our annual Christmas Eve Eve tradition of a family nativity and lunch at Jon's clubhouse. Rain was in the forecast but it only sprinkled a little bit and oddly it was still pretty warm. I made spinach artichoke dip and Rayleigh made brownies. I also brought homemade goodie bags for all of the cousins. We had a really nice meal together (Cort and Tanner had to work) and it was fun to chat with Cami and Lau. The kids did a fantastic job with the nativity. They figured out their own roles and costumes and really nailed it. We sat around and soaked in the vibes before we got kicked out. ha ha

We quickly cleaned up and chatted in the parking lot- no one wanting to leave. Everyone was happy (besides Ella who was screaming and crying in the car because Rayleigh and Jack were tormenting her and laughing--- Savi was very concerned and when I told her Ella was just being dramatic, she got the cutest sly smile on her face.ha ha) But when I checked the traffic driving home it was the worst Id ever seen in my life. All routes were close to 2 hours so I said, "Nope!" and took the kids and my mom to see David at the theaters in Aliso. What a way to end the night! The movie was so sweet (an Angel Studios movie about David and Goliath) and when we drove home, there was no traffic and the kids were happy to sit quietly and listen to our book. We listened to the Hunger Games series and now we are on to another series by the same Author called Gregor and the Overlanders. We are on book 3 of 5. 

We had a bunch of neighbors drop off treats on our doorstep and Tanner was relaxing in the hot tub when we got home. I played the piano for a little bit and we just let the Christmas spirit flow.

Christmas Eve was rainy so my parents decided the weather was too frightful (rightly so) and stayed home instead of coming here for dinner. Tanner had to work so the kids and I made merry in our jammies until he got home and then I helped Tanner made a turkey feast. He smoked the turkey and the food turned out soooo delicious! Wow! We ate on fancy plates and soaked in the Christmas spirit before soaking in the hot tub. We tried to spot Santa's sleigh but it was too cloudy. It sprinkled on us while we sat in the hot tub. We watched a Christmas Carol and the kids left notes, cookies, and milk for Santa (and lettuce for the reindeer). 

The kids were WIRED and had hard time falling asleep. The magic of Christmas was too exciting- and I don't blame them! It was a late night. But we all slept of while sugar plums danced in our heads until... about 6:30am. Ray woke me up at 6:45 and begged her to give me just one more hour of sleep. With tender disappointment she said ok and that was enough to get me up. That sweet thing deserves to see what Santa brought her! Who am I to make her wait!

The kids burst through the wrapping paper wall and dashed down the stairs to see their gifts. Santa did indeed hear my request for a new TV! Yay! Rayleigh got a cozy new Minky Coture Blanket. Jack got a fancy drawing tablet. Ella got a Kindle and also a stuffed baby otter in a bag- something very specific she ask for from Santa and I'm so impressed he was able to make that for her!

We were done with gift opening around 8am and then commenced the playing, cleaning, and relaxing. I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the mess and hours of clean up that lay ahead of me so I announced that I was going to take a long, leisurely bath with the new Lush bath bombs Tanner got me and my other fancy pampering products. The second I turned off the water to lay back in the steamy goodness..... Parker called to face time. Aint no rest for the weary! ha ha

We talked for about 3 hours (no camera on for me) while he opened his 2 little packages we had sent him. I got him a taser gun to help protect him from any future dog bites and he thought that was amazing and hilarious. I also got hime a bunch of cologne samples that he loved. He was in super high spirits and he a very busy and rewarding day out in the mission field. He ate dinner at not one but 2 members houses and even enjoyed a wonderful mission Zoom. I've never seen Parker so happy. He gave a lesson the other day that brought the family to tears. That kid is full of the spirit and I'm sent text messages from fellow mothers who have Parker in their home and they compliment how amazing he is. Duh, I know! But it is soooo good to hear. I am forever so proud of Parker! My Elder!

I knew I'd probably have a little break down on Christmas Day because history has proven that I will undoubtedly spiral at some point. So we decided to go to my parent's house with the rest of the cousins on Christmas Day. On the drive down, I did start to unravel and cry to Tanner about being overwhelmed about the projects, messes, and especially our finances. But he calmed me down and I was fine by the time we arrived.

My mom out did herself with a big turkey feast and I did my best to contribute with some treats and snacks we had accumulated. The kids had so much fun together and I had a really lovely time with Laura in the kitchen as we quietly cleaned everything up. She lost both her parents and her life is a lot different now. But she is so brilliant and amazing and I'm so thankful for the time I've been able to spend with her lately. 

As we were gathering to leave, my mom pulled my aside and asked if I'd like a blessing. My first reaction was a quick "no, I'm fine." But as I let the spirit rest over me I knew in my heart it was a good idea. I asked my Dad to give me the blessing as Tanner, Jon, and Cort attended and my Mom, Cami, Laura, my kids, and my nieces and nephews sat quietly and added to the spirit. I was feeling a little anxious about my biopsy which is tomorrow and my Dad blessed me to get through it ok and back to my normal, happy, energetic self quickly. He also blessed me to be aware of the angels that would attend me on both sides of the veil. I have no doubt angels are around me- especially my grandmothers and great grandmothers, as this is a women's issue. But I'm also eternally grateful to have my mom to go with me, too.

That blessing was the best Christmas gift I could have ever received.

Christmas was different this year with Parker being gone. We miss him but know he is having the time of his life on his mission and the people in Vernal are treating him with such love and compassion. The kids are happy and full of wonder this time of year and it's sad to see the season end. 

Until next year! Merry Christmas to all, and to all, goodnight!

God bless us, everyone!