Merry Christmas!

I did not make time to send out or even make Christmas cards.  I would shoot for New Years or Valentines even but I don't want to get anyone's hopes up.I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!  Time with family is absolutely priceless.  Words cannot express the love and gratitude I have for my Savior and my Heavenly Father.  I have had numerous experiences lately that have shown me JUST HOW LOVED I AM, and how much he watches over me. Christmas will always have a big hole in it with Eric being gone, there's just a sense of loneliness and it's hard.  I can finally say I'm glad it's hard.  I'm glad it hasn't become easier because I want to miss him.  I don't want to forget.  Those sorrowful feelings are the perfect reminder of the Plan of Salvation. I will see Eric again, my family is eternal and my Savior lives.

I'm so blessed to have a wonderful supportive husband and two of the worlds most handsome boys.  I'm grateful for my family and I would not be where I am today without them.  We've had a great year overall.  Andy's new job has been a great and much needed change for us.  He still takes great pictures, but it's more enjoyable to take pictures when he wants to, rather than having to.  Gavin and Max are getting so big, and independent.  They love school and every day brings new adventures, funny sayings and lots of laughter! Being a mom has never been more exhausting than these past several months with my thyroid problems. We are hopeful that in two-three more months I might be back to what I call normal. We love our home, we have great neighbors/and friends.  I have become quite attached to our ward family, there are some really amazing people here.  I finally got my "White Christmas"  I love the snow and I even gladly do the majority of shoveling. I am so grateful I have been able to spend this holiday season at home with my boys, the past two years I've been busy working retail and I couldn't do it on top of everything else.  It has been a nice break:)

Anyway, be safe.  Be Happy! Cherish every moment you have in this life, it could change or be gone in an instant!

If I sent cards out I probably would have used this cute picture of my boys...

Pictures with Santa

A picture of the overpriced but cute picture with Santa.

They played so well together, it was sad to say goodbye.

 Temple Square!

 My buddy!

It's a little blurry but at least we are all in it this time:) I'm grateful Max will still sit in a stroller, much easier than chasing him through crowds of people, and he was nice and warm

I love all the lights, I  love the snow, I love sipping, ahem chugging, hot chocolate every morning and most nights too.  I love Christmas trees, especially once their decorated(the un-decorating, not so much).  I enjoy most Christmas music(but only after Thanksgiving has been enjoyed).  I especially love teaching my boys Christmas songs(their version of lyrics are very entertaining) and taking them to visit Santa.  I admire their innocence and excitement.
I still feel quite empty without Eric here.  I have so many great memories of us at Christmas, setting booby traps for Santa, seeing who could stay awake the longest in hopes of catching Santa- in turn also seeing who then could wake up the earliest too. Eating all the bread at the Christmas Eve dinner because we didn't like the soup.  Trying to guess what we were getting and/or giving to people. The last few Christmas's we had with Eric he slacked on waking up early that is for sure.  Boy do Teenagers like to SLEEP!  Ha ha!   Andy and I had some great pranks we pulled on him while he slept.  I really miss having my little brother to tease.

I miss my day after Thanksgiving shopping buddy (the reason I am crazy and work at the mall every black Friday at midnight until nine am), and my shopping buddy in general.  I miss stealing his chocolate candies from his stocking( I never get enough chocolate... ha ha) and also wrapping a barbie or something girlie for him.  Don't worry I bought him cool presents too but he was so EASY to tease.  I especially love his tradition of buying "special" ornaments and hiding them on my mom's trees.  She collects Hallmark ornaments and has more than fourteen themed trees! Some years she was better at discovering them, others not so much and we all had good laughs for that! Christmas will never be the same, or any Holiday but there will always be a special place in my heart for Eric and a snowman built in his memory.  I know I will see him again and I am so grateful for my Savior for making that possible.