Merry Christmas

I just want to share my feelings of Christmas and my gratitude for all the wonderful blessings in my life and a bit of an wrap-up of our year.

First of all I'm so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The gospel has brought so much joy to my life along with amazing experiences and terrific friends. No matter where you move there are incredible people waiting to welcome and serve you and you have a ready made family. We have been so welcomed in our new ward the last few months and we could never repay them.

Chris was just called to be the first counselor in the Elders Quorum and I the first counselor in the Young Women's presidency. So we are being giving an opportunity to serve the wonderful people of the Scottsbluff Ward. I'm loving every minute of it. The kids have fantastic leaders and teachers in nursery and primary and have made some great friends.

Chris's job in going really well. He enjoys it and works with some very nice people. I'm so thankful for this opportunity. Chris is also going to school. He has had a bit of a break since he was in the hospital with pneumonia, but will begin again shortly after the first of the year. This schooling will open up new opportunities in his field, though we plan to stay here for many more years.

I am thrilled to be able to stay home with my beautiful children. Richard and Hannah keep me busy and I love it. They make me laugh all day and we have fun learning, playing, exercising, and working together. Richard is always full of so many questions. Usually it is cute, but after about 100 questions a day I have to start exercising my patience. :)

Hannah is growing and learning so fast. She is taller than all of her friends and has outgrown most of her tops in the last 2 months. She has a good sense of humor and is very adventurous. Hannah loves pigs and has a puppet pig that she and Chris play a game with and she has so much fun.

I am thankful for my eternal companion. Chris is truly my best friend. We can and do share everything with each other and I'm so grateful for his love for me, our children, and the gospel. He is a good man that will do anything for us. I love him dearly.

I am so glad to be celebrating the birth and life our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and loves each of us. Despite the cold, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I adore the music, giving gifts, being with loved ones, the lights, the trees and other decorations, and the amazing Spirit of giving, sharing, joy, love, and happiness. I love my Savior so much and am deeply thankful for his Atoning sacrifice.

This has been a special Christmas as the kids are getting older and understanding to give and share and remember the birth of Jesus. Richard helped me pick out a special gift for a 5 year old boy for the giving tree our ward has. He was so happy to pick a cool toy for this "new friend" that we may never meet. I hope to continue this tradition.

May we all have an amazing, spiritual Christmas and remember the gifts that the Savior has given us and we give to each other. And dedicate our lives to Him.