Car Trouble

This is definitely not the Christmas car surprise I was expecting. I was hoping for a big bow not a big deductible! Snow is beautiful but no fun to go sledding in when you're in a car. Cicilee and I enjoyed this adventure together. I didn't see my life flash before me, I saw hers. It was scary. However, all is well and this picture actually represents many blessings; no injuries (Cicilee and I are both fine), Rex was only concerned with our welfare not the cost of repair, no body damage (only a bent axle - I've done more damage backing out at Costco), no air bags were deployed (this one time Cicilee was sitting in the front seat and could have been badly hurt), the car didn't flip when we hit the curb, no one else was involved, people have been so generous (Troy and Jyl Pattee loaned me their minivan), I was not in control of this car when it went sledding but I am completely sure my angel was ... my Heavenly Father loves me. What a wonderful Christmas gift.

Christmas Decorating

Last night we got the tree out. Today we finished decorating it. Has it really been a year already?! It is the same ol tree we've had for a few years now. It's definitely nothing special but watching my children putting the various nick knacks on each branch is so much fun. I don't care that it's not perfect because it's perfectly fun just watching their excitement. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is playing in the background. I'm thinking of all the Christmases I've had in various countries and homes. Bing was always playing, it was my father's favorite. Isn't it funny how we hang onto these traditions, find comfort in them even? And yet, my children were the one's to put this particular cd on. I guess Bing will play for many Christmases to come.

What an amazing year this has been. It has brought us some real doozies but always there is a safe harbor within the walls of my home. If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is this: just because it is right thing to do, it doesn't mean it is going to be the easiest thing to do. Change is good, unless it is happening to you. No, we have been blessed infinitely this year. Always as we "hindsight" events, there are the Savior's footprints in the picture. These footprints manifest themselves in the form of friends, family, a phone call at the right moment, the shoulder to cry on, the ever listening ear at the other end of the phone, the air miles to reunite you with your mother, the sincere expressions of concern, the "Hello", the hug, the laugh, the church calling, the A on the test, the priesthood blessing, ... the love of my Savior. I have not been forgotten this year.