Christmas 2018

Braxton, Kaydon and I worked on Christmas Eve.

When we got off, we headed down to Sandy with Gus.

We had sleepovers at Nana and Pops' house.

We opened our pajamas that night and Nana made her traditional lasagna.

Mama went to bed!

I could barely sleep because I was so anxious for Jackson's call.

He called 45 minutes earlier than he thought he would.

I excitedly went throughout the house, opening doors and waking up cozy sleepers.

We all went to the kitchen table and listened to my boy.

He is sick, with a bad cold.

But, he is so good.

He loves his companion, Elder Millward, who is from Redding, California.

He loves his district.

He told me that they have found a Coca-Cola dealer in Mexico City who brings them four 3-liter Coca-Colas for very little pesos. 

He is so proud of himself!
I told him he's like a real-life Narco.

He said, "Mom. I'm pretty sure this guy is associated with Pablo Escobar!!"

I just laughed and laughed!

Brandon, Carrie, Asher and Anson showed up a little before 10 am.

These babies make Christmas so magical!

Asher got a toilet plunger and brush, wooden spoons and a pool noodle.

Anson got wooden spoons, measuring cups and a pool noodle.

They were in HEAVEN!!!

My boys spoiled me.

I got my traditional clock.

I got a beautiful necklace, measuring cups, glasses and measuring spoons. I also got a new shower curtain and shower curtain liner.

I think my favorite gift, though, was the gift Kaydon gave me -- 

Carolers

On Saturday, Colton and Je'Mari came in the house and told me there was a trailer full of kids outside who wanted to sign to us.

Rest assured, there was most definitely a trailer outside FULL of kids.

Like 60 of them.

They call came out, bundled up.

Right up to our door.

The ones in the front were the littlest and they knew all of the words.

They sang Silent Night and it was darling!

They then gave us homemade Christmas cards.

It made my day!!

Last year, in the hospital, one of my hospital mates was a musician.

He has written over 4,000 songs.

Some of them the Tabernacle Choir has sung!

He was hit by a car and has a TBI.

He is in his 70's and remembers nothing... except how to play his guitar and how to sing.

So, I asked one of the occupational therapists if we could do caroling, that I thought it would make Bryan happy.

They agreed.

On a Sunday evening, he set up in the dining room next to the Christmas tree and waited for all of us to gather around him.

We sang and sang and sang.

He smiled and smiled and smiled.

It was the best!

Christmas 2018

Rand came up on Saturday and picked me up to go Christmas shopping.

He spoils these boys like crazy.

They love him and he loves them.

We watched as they opened gifts on Saturday evening.

We ate a delicious dinner that the wonderful Stark Family brought for us.

We sat around and listened to them tell completely inappropriate stories.

We laughed.

They put together Legos.

It was perfect.

I'm so grateful for this time before Jackson is off.

Decking the Tree

Yesterday, X-Man and I decorated the Christmas tree in the lobby.

It is a TALL tree. 

Like, really extra tall.

It took us a little over an hour-ish.

It's really beautiful.

We are quite delighted with the results.

I don't mind decorating for Christmas at all.

I just feel like I missed out on all of the fun last year.

It feels good to be involved with all of it this year!!