Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Robert, Jodi, Aleq (11) Tommy (8) And Jain (6) Jain hates having pictures taken.

 



 

I was very lame again this year and never got around to sending out a Christmas card so this will have to do. I am also writing a bit about each member of the family and what they accomplished this year. Some people may not think this is proper and would prefer that I send cards. Me too. But next time they have a stroke, a family, shopping to get done, school parties, other Holiday prep, a Baptism, and are sick for the entire month of November, we can talk. Until then, be nice!

 

Robert:  He continues to be the best person I know and the most handsome guy I know in real life. The kids and I think he can do no wrong. He is only on his second job and third car so far. Just to be clear, they contacted him for this job, he wasn't looking. But still. He loves it there (Myriad Genetics) and I am pretty sure that when he gets together with the guys there, it is straight back to a Jr. High mentality, complete with stupid nicknames and reeeeaaaly stupid jokes. But by far his biggest honor of the year was being invited to an Inauguration Ball and meeting President Obama. Now THAT was awesome!!  

 

Jodi: I am loving being a stay at home mom. Of course, I have no choice in the matter, but I love it anyway. My progress has slowed dramatically but with some planning, help or modifications, I get to do nearly everything I want or need. Nearly. I even tried Yoga this year. It was comical. I quit. I have a wonderful family, a phenomenal ward, and unbelievable friends who make my life rich and full. I just started a new hobby, Karate, this year and have recently received my yellow belt. That may not seem very far but to me that's huge!

 

 

Aleq: After a terrible year last year, he is doing GREAT this year! His medication is really helping (for this moment) and he is absolutely loving school. I nearly burst into happy tears when I asked him how his day had been and he said, "Duh, it was great. You know, because of my teacher??" He is very social, outdoorsy (is that a word) athletic, and funny. But by far my favorite thing is how sweet he is. That boy has a heart as big as a Texas dream (I think that means big) and does not hesitate to use it. He got to meet Kyle Beckerman of RSL and thought that was even better than Christmas Gifts.

 

 

Tommy: He continues to be the most cuddly boy ever born. Every time I sit down, at the dinner table, to read, whatever, he somehow manages to end up on my lap, sometimes without my even realizing what happened. And its not just me, its Robert, Grandparents, friends, etc. He is absolutely a daddy's boy and refers to himself as Dada Jr. He is at that really fun in between stage where he can easily play pretend with his little sister, or be big and tough with Aleq and his friends and be able to fit right in either way. He can quote nearly every line of Phineas and Ferb or Adventure Time. He maintains a high skill/score on Angry Birds and his YouTube channel comment section is filled with questions about how to beat ____ level.

 

 

Ana Jain: She absolutely loves going to the "Big School." She tries to spell and read everything she sees and is getting quite good. We love our mornings together but she hates it when I fall asleep if she watches movies. She already loves shopping, chocolate, pedicures (thanks grandma), and is very particular about her clothes and hair. Her teacher describes her as spunky. That's a nice way of putting it. She has mad skills on the soccer field. But behind all that, she is a LITTLE girl who draws pictures for her family, loves to sleep in Mommy's bed, loves tickles, stories, and lots of hugs. We all adore her. While shopping with aunt Wendy, she was approached by a woman who subsequently had her appear in a GAP commercial. It was very small and just a short glimpse but something she will laugh about when she is a grown up.

 

 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I pray that during this time of year, we never lose sight of the reason we celebrate. Christ was born and chose to be our Savior. 

 

 

***Some of the accomplishments of our family written about above, MAY or MAY NOT be totally true. 

My boy!!

I am finally starting to feel better. Thank goodness! I'm better just in time to enjoy the beautiful, balmy weather here in Utah. My thermometer says it is 6 degrees. It warmed up. Thank goodness for hot chocolate.
This past week and a half has been filled with joy.
It started out with Thanksgiving dinner at my moms house. I love being with most of my family. The shape and size of the group keeps changing and at times I feel like I can't keep track of everybody but the feeling remains the same. Warm. It has nothing to do with temperature but instead means the same food, the same stupid jokes, and since my stroke happened right around now, I am so thankful to be with some of the people I love.
On Saturday, we were lucky enough to have the Carlson fam over for another Thanksgiving. I was so blessed to have in-laws who I actually enjoy hanging out with. I sure love them.
On Wednesday, the Laurels (16, 17 yrs,) came over to decorate my Christmas Tree. I love where I live. My hands and lack of balance makes doing it myself next to impossible. They are truly kind. And they did a great job, huh?

Thank you, girls!

 



She actually wanted her picture taken. It's a Christmas miracle!


And lastly, but most importantly, Tommy chose to be Baptized! He was the one on that day so he felt so special. He knew everybody was there just for him. He said it was the best day ever. Seeing Robert baptize him and then confirm him a member of the church brought tears to my...eye. I am so blessed to have a son make such a great choice and to have a husband who has the power and authority to perform such ordinances for him. For the lunch after he asked for Subway. So instead of cooking or worrying about food, we all got to actually enjoy having everybody over.
And, predictabally, he was yanking off his suit in the mud room. Heaven forbid he should be out of pajamas for any longer than necessary.

 

That night Jain was baptizing her doll. That was a bit odd but totally funny.
And, of course, Christmas is almost here! I love Christmas! While I was sick, I got all my shopping done. Robert said this was by far my most expensive case of Pneumonia ever. And thanks to my numerous visits to the doctor, the Stallings can also thank me for their Christmas. I'm so generous.

And now I must be off to get in a blanket and sit by the fire. It has warmed up since I started writing. It's clear up to 8 degrees. Toasty.