Merry Christmas !

Wow! I guess it's been awhile since I have written. This month has been a busy one. I tried posting once but couldn't seem to express my feelings on paper(computer).
Up until last weekend I have been in pain, it has been on my left side from my eye down to my shoulder, armpit and then back. I have been going to Dr's all month trying to figure out where its coming from. I know it has something to do with my lymphatic system. Anyway for whatever reason I have felt better this week. My kids think it has something to do with them being on school break. They may be right!
This Christmas I didn't start shopping until this week and its been kind of nice. Instead of shopping I have enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights and reading Christmas stories to my children. We have TrIeD to do many activities that were centered around Christ. I have thought a lot about Mary and Joesph. We would not be celebrating Christmas without the birth of Jesus and what he means to us and yet I think of Mary how pure she must had been to be chosen to be his mother. I am in awe of her, what a righteous women she must have been. Studying her and Joesph make me want to strive harder to be a good mom and worthy of my children. I feel like last year at this time I was tired, sick and stressed. I can't help but think about where and what me and my family were doing last year at this time. I had gone through 3 surgeries and had started Chemo. As I write this I can't seem to contain my emotions. On Christmas day last year my husband shaved my head. I remember just staring at myself bald and my little kids faces, their faces will be embedded in me forever. As my family had gone to bed I went in the bathroom took off my beanie and didn't recognize the person before me. What a year. Anyway, as I was saying I feel like last year I was preoccupied and didn't help my children focus on what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. So we have enjoyed celebrating this season.
Every year I tell myself that I am going to do a Christmas letter, and now its almost over and I haven't done one. I just want to tell my family and friends I appreciate them sending me one. I love it and so just maybe I will get one out next year.
I want to tell all of you Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy being with family and friends and will be able to feel our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christs love for you.

Merry Christmas!

Procrastination Is My Middle Name

I really hate to admit this, but I think I may be a procrastinator. Ouch! that actually hurts to say or write out loud. I have wanted to write and have had different things I wanted to write to remember forever but now they are long forgotten. My memory is very short lived lately.



I do remember how much fun I had Celebrating Thanksgiving. I am so grateful to be surrounded by family and be able to sit down and eat good food that was prepared with love and if I helped a little stress.



The cousins played around the clock and of course they all want to stay at Grandmas. Poor worn out Grandma and Aunt Tiesha. She is my sister that lives in Gilbert Arizona so when she comes she tends to have alot of my children. But she did get a break one day? All the girls went shopping on Friday, then went to Breakfast, went to the Santa workshop and then more shopping. We ran into so many friends and family while shopping and I ran into several of nurses that have worked with me over the last year. It was fun to see and visit them somewhere other then at the hospital or dr's office.



On Saturday we went to a movie with all the kids and then the Adults went out to Dinner. I love visiting with my siblings and their spouses. Much better then when my brothers chased me around and through the house when I was little. I would end up running to my moms bedroom locking the door then going in her bathroom locking that door and hiding in a cupboard. Don't worry they didn't beat me but it was the fear. And I am the oldest. Ha ha



My family ended our 12 days of Gratitude and they all loved it. I decided I am going to share one of my sons letter we received from him regarding gratitude. http://www.missionsite.net/eldercannon
If you go to Cody's link just hit on latest letter and the letter will pop up.

I don't mention him alot because he is on a mission in Paraguay for 2 years. He will be returning this August and we get to talk to him on Christmas. He is loving it and has grown so much.(Spiritually,mentally, and physically). We love and miss him but so grateful for his example.

As the Christmas season begins I hope you all can enjoy and feel our Saviors love for us. I started listening to Christmas music on Thanksgiving and I'm TRYING to do things with my children that will make our Christmas focused on Christ and not as much on Santa. I love this time of year and as I think of last year at this time, I am so glad(understatement)that its a new year.