Santa Found our New House...

Christmas day is here and gone and all in all it has been a nice day. As excited as I was about Christmas morning it sure started off for me with a struggle. Around 3 am I woke up to Cort crying. I went in to check on him & pulled the blankets up over him and told him to go back to sleep. To my delight he did go back to sleep. Then about 4 am Kent's alarm went off by accident and I was really not happy to be woken up by it. I was able to again fall back asleep until a little before 6 am when I woke up from a dream of me being so angry with Braxton that I dreamed I was yelling at him. At that point I decided it wasn't going to get any better so I may as well get up & try to spend time getting myself ready for church. Maybe working on making myself beautiful on the outside would help to change my inside.

After Kent woke up and we talked for a bit I was feeling better. My morning was totally turned around when I heard Braxton from the top of the stairs say in the most delighted high voice, "Oh (ha ha ha) it's Christmas!" I LOVE that kid. He is so delighted by the smallest things. He was enjoying going through everyone's stocking to inform us all of what Santa had brought us. He then enjoyed searching through the presents reading all the names on the packages, handing out gifts, and opening them.

We all made out like bandits this year. Kent got new shoes, a space heater, a sleeping bag, a thermos set, child locks for the drawers & cupboards (this was his favorite stocking stuffer I am sure he he he), & mixed nuts. I got new boots (except when I put them on first thing they broke...SO not happy about that!), running shoes, a new printer/scanner/copier, headphones, jewelry, body spray, new rubbermaid/tupperware type items. Santa brought Braxton a new rocket & a Transformer toothbrush & a Flynn Missile car (cars 2) & from everyone else he got a dresser, a puzzle, some books, a U of U sweatshirt, and a hooded towel . Cort was also on the nice list and received a Hammer Away (boat you hammer balls into), Working Trio (cute Discovery Toys set of three trucks), a new coat, and a hooded towel as well as his first toothbrush. The family got a couple of DVD's.

One of the best gifts ever was from Kent's co-worker Troy. He built a nice outdoor playhouse with his boys when they were younger that as 12 and 14-year-old's they have outgrown. He decided to give it to us (lucky, lucky us!!!). Braxton has already been outside loving his new playhouse. He enjoys playing in it, but I think soon he'll need more friends to play with him in it (hint, hint). As Kent and Troy dropped it off on Friday Troy was telling Braxton he can get his sleeping bag and sleep in there, and he needs cookies and soda to put in the little cupboard. Braxton takes off for a bit and as soon as he is back it is with sleeping bag in tow. After being told he couldn't really sleep out there he ran back in the house to put the bag away and came out asking for cookies. He is such a funny kid. We have really enjoyed this weekend.

It's interesting to me that sometimes we forget that it doesn't take a lot of money to make a happy home. It's those little moments of delight that make us feel that sense of love, security, home & family and those moments are the ones that make life worth living. My hope is that with Kent off of work this week he'll realize the importance of spending time at home with his family. I know he feels the burden of providing for this family, but I believe that if you have priorities straight the finances will always work out in the most miraculous ways. I love my life and as this year comes to a close I feel so abundantly blessed. I have more than my heart could ever want or imagine. Merry Christmas to all of my friends & family and a Happy New Year too!
Love,
 Marlies