My Most Treasured Gift!

How do I put into words to describe my feelings on getting my wonderful gift from Kim? She gave me the most perfect gift that I could have asked for this year. She gave me an album filled with pictures of Noah from the day he came to us until the day he left us. When I looked at each page I was filled with emotion....not only of love for my beautiful little boy but for my sister who spent many hours making this album perfect in everyway! I am so thankful for all of her hard work and for the contributions of my other family members as well...thank you David for scanning all of my pictures to give me a cd...thank you Libbi for the words which make everyone understand Noah so much more....thank you Jerry for allowing Kim all this time without complaint to put it together...and most of all thank you Kim....you will never know how very much it means to me...I have looked at it over and over again and I will show it off to everyone who comes over to my house! Thank you again...it truly is my most treasured possession!!!!

Noah's Album

Kim and Jean holding Noah's Album

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words...enjoy a glimpse of our Christmas Day....

Jean enjoying her new laptop computer!

Michael duking it out on the Wii!


Jeff looking at some of his gifts!

Sarah Beth enjoying her recorder!

Libbi and Pete enjoying Christmas Dinner!

Pete waiting for the gift opening to begin!

Momma looking over her presents!

Everyone around the table, ready to eat!

Emily and Lauren bowling on the Wii!

Pugslie was wiped out after the festivities were over...too much running around after the kids..hehehe!

CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!

We had a great time at our Christmas Eve Party tonight! Libbi and her family came to join us again this year and it was so nice to have more family here! It was a very fun and spiritual night and we enjoyed all of our friends who came to share in our laughter, games, fun, and shared the wonderful spirit that was here. The testimony meeting at the end was wonderful and tears of love and tenderness were shared. We are grateful to everyone who came and shared our evening with us. We love doing our annual party and find great joy in sharing this night with others. I am fighting a cold this year but still managed to have a great time even with running a fever! My husband, kids, and mother stepped up to the plate to help me put on our party and they did most all of the work while I gave suggestions, helped in the baking, and sat around in my chair with a blanket over me most of the day! I love them for their service rendered to me and I am most grateful for this wonderful season! What a great night! I am actually typing this entry on my new laptop computer that my sweetheart gave me for Christmas. I will post pictures of Christmas gifts tomorrow!

Jeff getting ready for the party

Jean showing off her "holiday nails" that Lauren did for me!
Emily and Victoria at the party!
Our group of friends and family with Jeff!
Our group of friends and family with Jean!

Emily and Sarah Beth

Libbi

Jean and Callie

Mitchell, Brandon, Emily, & Victoria

Christmas Party

Jeff and I went to his work's Christmas Party at this place called Cafe Tiramisu. It was pretty good. We don't drink so it wasn't the kind of party I would normally attend but we had a nice conversation with some of the people we sat near and I got the chance to meet John's (Jeff's boss) wife. She is really really nice. I can see why Jeff likes working there because everyone is very friendly. Plus we got the chance to go out for a night and I got to dress up so it was fun! Emily took a picture of us before we left!

A Great Week-end!

We have had such a wonderful week-end that I just had to write about how grateful I am to have had a whole week-end of spiritual upliftment. It started on Saturday morning when we went to our Ward Christmas Breakfast. We did something completely different this year for our ward party and it was wonderful. We decided to do a breakfast and then a service project. We had a wonderful breakfast then we put together goody boxes and took them to an assisted living home (kinda like the one Ninna and Granddaddy stayed in Hartsville). We broke up in groups, delivered a box to each room and sang christmas carols. It was so wonderful to see the looks of gratitude and to hear them join us as we sang. It did our hearts good and I loved watching each of my children take a box to each elderly person and receive a hug from them. We all left with such a great feeling. Later last night we went to The Creche Exhibit put on by our stake each year. It was absolutely beautiful (I forgot my camera). There were 100's of nativity scenes from all over the world, a live nativity and one room had nothing but pictures of Christ. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes as I looked at each one and felt the love of the Savior. Tonight we just finished watching the Christmas Devotional and my heart was again touched by the words that were offered and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to my Savior. I am thankful for a week-end that reminded me once again of the real reason we celebrate this wondeful season of the year! It was a great way to begin December!

Christmas Survey!

Okay...I love Christmas so here is my survey:


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like both, but bags are easier and I do like the lazy way!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real are the best but Emily is allergic so we get the artificial and ours is beautiful!

3. When do you put up the tree? 1st Monday in December!

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after Christmas but before New Years Day!

5. Do you like eggnog? I don't think so.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Tons of rings that Ma-Maw game me...I had them on every finger!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Daddy

8. Easiest person to buy for? Momma

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I have a lot!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Real mail is still great!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I have one.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life!!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes I have...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Momma's peanut butter fudge!

16. Lights on the tree? I like colored and Jeff likes clear so we have clear on the big Christmas tree and colored on Noah's white tree...we both get what we like (and I think Noah would like the colored like his mommy!)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Do you hear what I hear?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like to stay home but I love seeing my family!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think so!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a very pretty star!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve, b/c Christmas morning Santa comes and we look in our stocking then...I am the same as Kim!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Anyone who does not celebrate Christmas....again, I feel the same way!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't do themes...I like everything about Christmas from Santa Claus to snowmen to reindeer to whatever is Chistmassy!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I like the traditional dinner and I like my steak and baked potato and I like it all...that's probably why I am fat!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to be able to see beyond the veil but since I can't do that then I would like for Jerry to find a good job!

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Mikey

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? I'm not sure!

OK, everyone.....your turn!

Time to pause and remember....

Tonight our family spent some time together decorating our Christmas Tree and decorating our remembrance tree for Noah. We took a special moment to reflect on Noah's life and all that he has brought to ours. Each of the kids told us something that they loved the most about Noah and each one hung ornaments on his tree. As we hung each one, we were able to share laughter thru tears as they brought back sweet memories and we felt Noah near. It was a sweet opportunity together as a family to take some time out of our busy season and spend some time celebrating the life of our sweet Noah. We also were able to pause and remember what our Savior has done for each of us and realize that we celebrate this season only because of Him. We know that Noah is rejoicing with Him at this time. We feel closer as a family and are grateful for our eternal bonds. It has been a good night....a night to pause, a night to reflect, a night to remember!

Jeff adding the golfcart ornament to Noah's tree

Michael adding the ornament he got for Noah to his tree

Lauren adding her ornament she made Noah for his tree

Emily putting the ornament she bought for Noah on his tree

This ornament is so sweet and it says "Every life leaves something beautiful behind"...so true