The Holidays

I've been getting really excited for Christmas this year. In the past I've been kind of a scrooge. I'm the kind of person that usually gets annoyed if people play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. This year, however, I have a new outlook on Christmas and the holidays. Nic will be home with me this Christmas. After last Christmas without him I never want to be apart from him again during Christmas. I have a deeper appreciation for the family unity of the holidays that I so often took for-granted. I'm so excited to be with the love of my life and celebrate with our kids the beauty of our Saviour's birth. Christmas is forever changed for me after being apart from Nic. I will never be a Christmas bah-hum-bug again. I am going to be gone for Thanksgiving at my Mom's in Utah so I would like to take a moment to say how truly grateful I am for the past year. Having Nic in Iraq is by far the hardest thing I have ever done and I think Nic would easily agree that it is the hardest thing he has ever done. I have been so blessed and watched over with him away. My brother gave me a blessing not too long ago and in it he said that there have been many times when the Lord has carried me through my trials. I know that to be true and I am grateful for this trial. When I think of all of the hardest times in my life my relationship with Heavenly Father has only gotten stronger. I'm thankful for the power of prayer which has literally carried me through my hard days. I'm thankful for Nic and the sacrifice he is making for our family, he truly has it harder than me. I'm thankful for how strong our relationship is and for the understanding and deeper love we have gained through this time apart. I'm thankful to be home with my beautiful kids. As much as Taelynn wears me out I wouldn't change a hair on her head. She is the fire that keeps our house warm. And Max..... oh sweet Max. I am so thankful for this happy-go-lucky baby that radiates peace. I could go on and on I have so many things to be thankful for but I just want to say one more. I am so thankful for friends, particularly one friend. This friend has been through a hard time and I'm grateful for her example and her strength. My life has so much more joy with her in it. :)