A lot to be thankful for

Christmas was wonderful.  I am grateful for all the blessings in our family's life.  I am grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ, whose life and Atonement matter more to me than anything else.  That knowledge makes everything else better.

I loved exchanging presents.  I loved talking to my parents and grandma and each one of my siblings on either Christmas day or Christmas Eve.  That in itself was a present to me (and no small feat--Tabor and I talked 1 hour and 22 minutes...and I think I still have more to say).

I loved seeing my boys sprawled on the floor, building Lego sets.

In addition to the boring and grown up gift of a gas card, Braeden wanted a Lego set for Christmas.  He said he loves to build with Legos with Mark on Christmas day.  I told him that was just like getting Mark an extra present because once Christmas is over, Braeden won't play with Legos again.  Braeden didn't care.

Adam and I morosely talked about the fact that in two years, Braeden will be serving a mission and won't be home for Christmas.  On Christmas Eve the two of us sat looking at each other, heart broken.  Where has the time gone?  We are helpless to stop it.

I'm going to stop minding the endless milk consumption and the clamorous footsteps of my big boy and all the dishes he breaks.

Quick!  Stop the hourglass.  I want my charming, long-limbed, clumsy, curly top boy to stay around.

Sigh.

Here's Emma while the boys were building:

She traded off reading her new book and playing her new guitar.

In the late afternoon we went to Geri's.  We laughed a lot (a lot) and ate a lot (I got the end cut of the prime rib!) and I even cried a little when Geri mentioned her gratitude for Linn's contribution to the family that we are still blessed by.

Another sigh.

We exchanged more presents and came home with a van load.

It is wonderful to be loved in the world.  Gifts and phone calls and delightful food and gentle teasing and a lot of laughter make me feel loved.

And I'm grateful.

We had a lot of nice gifts and plates of goodies delivered to our house.  This may have been my favorite.  It was from one of Braeden's friends.

Yes, it's a cantaloup.  I think it was his answer to the pineapples our family delivers to our friends and neighbors...