A Little About Christmas. . .Finally

Hmmm. . . my kids are a little upset with me that I haven't done a blog post for quite some time, and Dalin says I need to put more pictures of him up since he will be gone for two years. Oh, brother. Alright, already. So here is an update from the Gunnell house on the holiday festivities.

Every year I promise myself that this December will be calm and peaceful and wonderful. I will get everything done by Thanksgiving, I will plan service projects for my family for the holiday season, and I will have hours to sit and watch the dozen or so Christmas movies that I have. Not so. . .again. This December will go on record as the craziest one ever. I only got to watch Rudolph, and I fell asleep right at the island of misfit toys with visions of spotted elephants in my head! That's kinda scary. . .

We had the traditional Christmas Eve at my mom's house with family and friends. I absolutely love Christmas Eve, and Christmas is kind of a let down after it. Jensen got to be Mary in the nativity play this year, and she was so excited. I love Christmas with children. Everything is big and wonderful and new. My favorite traditions at my mom's? My cousin Linda's stuffed mushrooms; caroling to the neighbors; hot cider afterwards; dressing the kids for the nativity; listening to the story of Christ's birth and singing carols; opening Christmas pajamas; gathering around the piano and singing the Forgotten Carols and Snoopy's Christmas with my brothers and Brent and my big kids (We added "Baby, It's Cold Outside" this year. Wow. It really was not to be missed. Cash and Jared were amazing, hee hee); staying up late and wrapping gifts with Brent, my brothers, SIL's, and mom; everyone crammed into mom's house sleeping over; and the Christmas tree with all the gifts under it, all lit up after the lights are turned off. Love it. Love the Christmas season. Can't wait for next year.
As I look back on 2008, I find that I am most grateful that Brent is healthy and well. I hope never to have a scare like we had in May. I am blessed to have such a good man and wonderful friend in the man I married. He is my heart. Also, in the last three months, two of Dalin's friends, incredible young men, have been diagnosed with serious illnesses, one with cancer and one with a brain tumor (still waiting on test results for this one). As I watch my handsome son get ready for a mission and the rest of his life, I thank the Lord that he is healthy and strong, both physically and spiritually. I am grateful that my girls are well and that I have my mom close by to lean on and cry at. My brothers and their families are a huge support, and they can make me laugh like no other. Brent's parents and siblings keep close track of us and always send their love. We love and miss them very much. I have been blessed with wonderful friends who offer constant support, give me great advice, help me with anything I need (whether I ask or not), and keep me sane. It is a blessed life we live at our house. Now, let's all rock 2009!