Christmas 2015

 There is no snow and very mild temperatures.  There are coughing people all around in my family, with me probably the biggest offender, yet Christmas is here.  We had planned to go as an extended family to Birch Hill Health Care Facility to sing to the residents.  With all of the illness we've had, I decided it was probably not a good idea to possible infect those elderly people.

Instead we stayed home and ate delicious food and watched The Nativity Story on DVD.  We sang a little and the children acted out the Nativity while Papa read the story from Luke 2.  Our children did their gift exchange.  I believe they were all happy with what they found for one another. I had the grandchildren open their books from Pat and I.  I know they were all happy with those!

Jeff had to work on Christmas day so we had him open his gifts on Christmas Eve.  He typically comes home from work exhausted and goes to bed shortly thereafter.

Christmas morning brought gifts for all of us.  Everyone seemed pleased with the things we picked out for them.  Dinner was being prepared when Elder Pleshek phoned to say he would be calling via Skype at noon.  We called all the girls and told them he was calling.  Sammi and Erin had gone to Shawano to pick up Bonny.

The children got a sibling photo.  I love it!  I think I will blow it up and have it framed.  We had a wonderful time visiting with our missionary!  It is absolutely the BEST part of Christmas!

Not to take anything away from our other children, but being able to speak to our missionary is the best feeling in the world for me.  I recall Sammi's call home.  We were on Skype forever, it seemed. It was wonderful to see her beautiful face and hear her voice.

Two phone calls per year makes a mother's heart yearn for her child no matter what his age.  He is loving the missionary life which makes it all the better.  

My sweetheart again went way overboard in buying gifts for me.  More jewelry, which I love, as well as a new robe.  Wow, is that thing heavy!  It's white so I know it will be laundered often.  I paid for my sweetie to buy himself a new recliner.  The kids got us a wood carved raccoon.  I love that as well.  He's so cute.  

On Wednesday we had some picture texts of Andrew sent to us.  Those make me emotional.  People send them and tell us of the love they have for our son.  They compliment us on raising such a fine individual.  There is no way to explain how much I appreciate those random text messages.  My heart is filled each time we receive one.  

Christmas 2015 is now in the past, but the spirit of love that I feel continues.  Erin will go back to Provo on Monday and that makes me sad.  I wish she lived closer.  Life continues.  I am so very blessed to have these wonderful people as my family!  I am blessed to know that my Savior was born and lived a perfect life so He could atone for me.   Once again, My cup runneth over.