Grateful Friday

 Life isn't perfect and I have the headache to prove it.

When Adam was rubbing my back last night in the expert way he does, I realized how grateful I am for him.

Gratitude saves me over and over.

I am grateful for the wonderful Christmas we had.  I'm grateful we got to talk to Braeden and Anna and QE several times and read to her on Christmas Eve and watch her open presents from us.  She is the dopamine hit that never misses.

I'm grateful that Emma and Mark started shooting a film noir using the Christmas bears and a whole lot of puns.  When I went to bed on Christmas Eve, they were just getting started.

I'm grateful for the presents we gave each other.  Gifts are my love language and every package opened was an I love you; I thought of you.  I hope you like this as much as I thought you would.

It is wonderful feeling seen and known.  Even gifts of money/gift cards fit the bill.  My parents sent us money, like they do, and it funded nice gifts all around.  Geri sent us each a card with a gift card inside and she knows us.  In Adam's card she wrote, "Spend this on yourself.  Don't just use it for something for the family."

In my card she wrote, "I'm sure you can find something to spend this on for yourself."

She is not wrong; I already have an idea.

Braeden and Anna gave Emma and me each a puzzle.  We started mine and it is the trickiest puzzle we've ever seen.  Emma said she felt like she was being bullied by the puzzle.  I may have called it diabolical at one point.  But we also loved it.  I loved sitting there next to Emma, chatting with her and discovering the ins and outs of that puzzle together.

We had to eat Christmas dinner sitting at the island and I don't know how long the puzzle will be there, but Emma gets locked in, so probably not too long.

I am grateful for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It means more to me this year than ever.  

I love this verse from the hymn, "If You Could Hie to Kolob":

There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.
There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.

Because of Him, I know those words are true.