Christmas...a lot of memories this month regarding my mom.
It's hard to remember the dates of things that happened last year. Like the 18th was our Christmas at home and then we drove the next day to bring my mom home from residential care to die in her own home. We had Christmas every day with her. It was so much fun for the kids and we saw a lot of family and friends. It was a good time, it's just hard to remember what happened on the 31st. I miss her. I miss her a lot, but I'm surrounding myself with wonderful things and wonderful people and making it work out. It's not perfect, but my life is pretty good.
I've also decided to fill this month up with opportunities to serve. It's the only way I'm surviving. I'm not tooting my own horn, I'm making it to next year as happy as I possibly can.
It has been such a blessing to reach out to others. We've been doing twelve days of Christmas which has been such a delight for all of us. Every night is so entertaining! Then, we have helped an 8 year old boy have a fun Christmas and we've made "cheer baskets" for two widows in our ward. We even spent two evenings in local nursing homes participating in a program. Kedzie was Mary and the boys were shepherds. Travis did a wonderful reading of the Night Before Christmas. We've had parties with good friends and we've watched Kedzie's holiday dance recital. We've also been doing the twelve days of service in our home. We've been making Christmas cards, Christmas bread, cookies, calling people, delivering goodies, serving each other and simply enjoying the season.
My kids would say the best part of all has been the twelve days of Christmas that Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Joe and Uncle Reggie have provided them! Each morning they run downstairs and have so many things to do! They find Eddie, our elf on the shelf, get candy out of our advent calendars and open a super gift from the Ravsten's. Then, they can finally eat breakfast and get ready for school! This is all before 7:30am mind you! They are thoroughly enjoying the season, for this I am grateful.
I also have to mention that we went to the Nutcracker this year as a family. It's a tradition that my mom started when Kedzie was three. My children loved it. They were so excited to go. It was a wonderful adventure.
So, there you have it. My children are enjoying the season and I am striving to enjoy the season. I'm so grateful that my mom taught me to love service. It is providing me with such comfort right now.
Building our gingerbread house.
The Nativity
Travis performing to the elderly
Carol's annual Christmas Cookie decorating party
Good bye Gabe Jensen. Thanks for being such a great friend for 7 1/2 years.
Kedzie, the mis-fit owl for her acrobat Christmas performance.
She was an ice skater for her tap performance. She loves dance.
Gingerbread train from Grandma
Heading to the Nutcracker by the Colorado Ballet.
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