The First Presidency Christmas Devotional was a hour of reverence and peace. Molly moved from person to person and snuggled with each one. I think she stayed on Grandma's lap the longest. Grandpa quietly stroked her hands. Eddie threw popcorn in the air and caught it. Maddie managed to stay awake -- she often falls asleep on the couch each evening from 6-8pm. Ryan minimally moved and stayed very still. Elder Farnes's talk about his Christmas as a missionary in Brazil hit us hard, because of our beloved missionary in Brazil. Accepting Christ's atoning gift is the ulitmate eternal persuit.
Afterwards, we played a quick game whilst eating apple pie. Maddie won.
Tuesday morning I flew to Utah and spent a few beautiful hours with Meg and Andy (baby Quinn was fast asleep in her seat.). We gobbled down burgers, giggled and laughed, and just breathed the same air. My adult children are wonderful and amazing. They are my dearest friends.
Quinny-Bin-Bin is fat, fat, fat. She's a very nice baby.
Meg and her neighbor were wearing the same Costco pants. Too good to forget.
Sweet Meg drove me to my mother's house for Christmas 1995 (Neither Mark nor Emily were able to attend, hence the name. We missed them, immensely.). Mother's nine oldest children (not one spouse nor child) spent the next 15 glorious hours together, five of those sleeping. Cherie and Natalie spent two full days in preparation for the event. We gathered to eat a lucious dinner, and then we sat and spoke sweetly of our father -- gone these long nine years. After we gathered around the sacred altar of the holy temple performing sealings, we went home again for more food, games and gifts.
We sat in age order. It's been a really long time since I was flanked by Natalie and Ricky.
I sat on them. Had to.
We played "Zilch." Ricky won! Mom and Cherie worked together to supply prizes from things around the house. I won a giant gummy bear mold -- Mom even took to the time to make one! We laughed so hard. "Secret Friend" gifts were exchanged an opened. What a feeling it was to receive exactly what I wanted in so many ways. Jim broke up the midnight party and the sleepover began.
Five hours of sleep -- at best -- and the day had begun. We sat on the stairs and awaited our turn to open stockings and peek at Santa's handywork. We were thrilled with both organic and mildly sugary sweets and stuffs. Our traditional breakfast casseroles and warm teas were served all around. The magic began to fade once the 7am hour hit -- the brothers needed to leave and go to work and the sisters had families that needed them.
Those of us that were left decided that a walk around the block was just the ticket to finish our faux Christmas morning.
Quickly the day flew by with visits from the Armstrongs and Andy. We simply sat on the floor and watched the three little chicks jump off the single stair and throw the hand-sewn birdies. Mostly we felt safe and loved. Sis took me in the wee hours of the morning back to the airport and in a blink, I was home.
Home to Maddie receiving the "Athlete of the Month" -- or rather, the all Section Defensive Player of the Year (equivalent of a gold medal at state). This School Board Member was sure proud of her, so is his wife.
(This photo popped up on my Google Home. Circa January 2018 -- one of my favoite photos with my all little friends. We were visiting a friend in a nursing home, and we were there to cheer her and love her. Look at the big girl of mine holding the baby perfectly and corralling the two-year-old. She's still living that dream.)
Friday night was our Ward Christmas Party. Ryan sang for the last time with the Primary choir (He's the sixth boy from the right in white). Molly is in red fourth from the left.)
Maddie was Mary and Eddie was the shepherd. The nativity is five minutes long, but it's so powerful. It's worth the watch.
We stood for the annual photo, but our little friend didn't ever move -- we were glad she joined us.
Aftermath.
Saturday Austin rappelled. Sedona is beautiful.
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