Christmas Past

Another Christmas past. We are so thankful to Derald Dieterich. He is a long time friend of Greg’s family, the realtor that sold our house in 2006, and he came by the apartment a couple weeks ago and gave us a check to help us buy Christmas presents for the kids. It was great! Our kids ask for little and know we often struggle financially so they decide to be content. They are wonderful. It was incredible to be able to buy each of them some of the things they had mentioned over the last few weeks. We rarely buy them toys, none this year, and still Otto said he got everything he wanted. Can you beat that?

Last Summer I told Greg I would like to learn the guitar. I asked for one for my birthday, but there was no way we could pull it off. Well, he took all the money for gifts that we were spending on each other (he said he didn’t want a present) and more he came across and bought a guitar for me for Christmas. He took the older 3 kids when he got it and they could hardly wait until we opened presents this year. I am so blessed with a wonderful loving husband and amazing children.

I was also blessed to have seen both of my brothers, and most of their families. Two of my nephews are serving in the military; one has just finished a tour of duty in Iraq for the last 15 months. It was good to see them both after such a long time. I enjoy good times with my family and often wish we did not live so far apart (California, Sacramento area). It is only a day’s travel, but with gas prices what they are and a day in each direction it prohibits frequent visits. I often look forward to heaven when thinking of my family and desiring to see them more. Another blessing to know they are believers.

Christmas day we spent with Greg’s family at his dad’s home. They are friendly and kind and even though they all live relatively close we see most of them rarely. It was a good time and the kids especially loved the food and fun.

Tonight I am at the coffee shop early to post this while waiting for my friends. It will be the first time we have gotten together in months. In fact, I have not visited with any friends uninterrupted by children since our move into this apartment. I have always had to hurry when on the phone because we are always out of minutes and although Charissa and I have seen each other and talked some there are always others around and time is short. I am looking forward to a relaxing evening and thankful that Greg is supportive of my being out and staying home with the kids.

The rest of this week will be spent cleaning and reviewing schedules and planning/preparing for school to get started in full force again. How wonderful that will be! I’m afraid my kids are not in agreement, but a test of discipline is not a bad thing.

Sorry there are no pictures; we forgot our camera at Greg's dad's house and haven't uploaded since my last update. Extra pictures next time.