I meant to write something every Thursday night while Alan is at Mormon
Tabernacle choir practice. Obviously, I have not done very well with
that goal:). I guess it's time to start again.
Our family had a
wonderful wonderful Christmas season. We have wonderful neighbors. We
don't know who, but two different families did 12 days of Christmas for
us. They gave us incredible gifts each night, and we looked forward to
whatever they would bring. We also were sent notes and cards from many
different people. One neighbor couple sent us a beautiful, beautiful
bouquet of flowers. Other people visited and brought flowers. We felt
very very loved and cherished, and I will always appreciate everything
that was done for us.
Then as Christmas got close, we got to
spend time with our family. We started by having a Christmas Eve dinner
with my sister, Roberta, Alan's parents, and our family. We had a great
time. Scott, Hailey, Shaylee, Eli, and Jax all spent Christmas Eve
night at our house. That was great because we got to see them wake up to
see what Santa brought. Then on Christmas morning, Nicole and Jeff
came with their baby Jeffery. They drove through lots of snow, but made
it made it safe and sound. After they got here, we got to enjoy their
company and then open Christmas presents.
Nicole gave me the most
amazing gift! She had asked people to send letters to her. Then, she
put the letters in plastic sheet protectors, and put them in a binder. I
was amazed at the beautiful things people said. I cried and cried, but
they were good tears, not bad. I know that those letters will help me in
days ahead, but they already have been a big help to me. I appreciate
every person who sent something to Nicole and I appreciate the hours and
hours then took her to compile everything. It will be something I will
always treasure.
Then a few days after Christmas, we were
planning to go to Colorado to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
with my brother Bryan and his family. We tried as hard as we could, but
realized we just couldn't do it. We called Bryan to tell him, and within
12 hours he and his family were on their way here. It was so much fun
to have them. We visited lots, ate lots, and played lots of games.
The
Saturday after that, we went to St. George to see Mandy and Andy and
their baby Olivia. Olivia Louise Rhodes was blessed on January 4 by her
father, Andrew Jay Rhodes. Again, all of our kids did what it took to
get there. We had lots of fun visiting with each other and enjoying each
other's company.
