12-28-10 After Christmas is Over

I think there’s just a little bit of sadness for anybody that’s human after Christmas Day is over. There’s such a build-up leading up to it, and then it’s all just over in a day and life goes back to what it was pre-Christmas. And that’s okay, just a little sad.  We had an excellent Christmas. But then again we always do.

The week of Christmas I went up to Salt Lake City with my Young Women’s group to hear Elder Costa, one of the presidents of the Seventy, speak to our girls in a private fireside setting. We left Sunday at midnight and came back Tuesday at 11pm. The bus ride up in the middle of the night was uncomfortable and loud, but what else would you expect with 28 teenage girls crammed together on one bus? We got to go to Temple Square and see the lights and different visitor centers and museums. I was really happy to get to know my girls better, and I feel much more comfortable as their advisor.  I also developed a love for them that I always hear other leaders say that they have for those they lead. I know what they mean now.

Elder Costa and his wife were wonderful to meet and listen to. Sister Costa said something very important – decisions define destiny. And Elder Costa said, “Nothing is more important than to know who you are. When you know you are a daughter of God, you understand that you have connections with Him.” It was a wonderful experience that I know our girls will remember always.

 

Elder Costa called and got permission for us to use the tunnel under Temple Square :)

When I got back, the very next day I had to finish up all the Christmas shopping that somehow always ends up pushed to the last minute.  On Christmas Eve, i took the boys to see their new little sister that Adam’s wife Angelica gave birth to on Christmas Eve. She was a cutie, and the boys were happy to meet her.

 

After the hospital we headed to Juddy’s  mom’s house for a wonderful Christmas Eve feast. Coleen, Juddy’s mom, is just one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. She had gifts for all of my family.

After their house we headed to Jacob’s Grandma’s house, on the Pickard side, and had a lot of fun eating more and playing games. And then from there we went to my Uncle Danny’s house where I ate the tamales that my Grandma and aunts makes every Christmas. So delicious. The boys were showered with gifts at every stop.  They made out like bandits. It was really pretty ridiculous. Easton got a batman cave from my aunt that I had bought for him as his big special gift to open from Jacob and I on Christmas morning, so I was pretty bummed when he got it from my aunt on Christmas Eve, but at least he got it.

Christmas morning the boys spent with us since their dad was in the hospital with his wife and new baby. We went to Jacob’s parents, opened more presents,  ate more food,  and talked to Jacob’s brother Jordan who is serving a mission in Texas. We then went to my parents to open more presents and to eat our traditional Mexican breakfast for dinner.  My dad makes potatoes, eggs, bacon, red chile, green chile, and tortillas. My mom also does scrumptious French toast with strawberry cream cheese topping. We started the breakfast for dinner tradition a few years ago, and it’s my favorite tradition of all.

All in all, our holiday was wonderful. We have the best families two people could ever be blessed with. I also totally scored with my sister’s in-laws who also feel like they are my own. We are blessed to have so many tender mercies of the Lord in our lives, and I remember that each day when my husband tells me he loves me and I know he means it. I remember that when my two little boys laugh the most beautiful laughter a mother has ever heard.  My boys are blessed to have so many that love them.  I hope that everyone had a Christmas as merry as ours.