Christmas in the Mission Home 2016

Here’s a peek at the Mission Home during the days after Christmas as we waited for all of our family to arrive before celebrating this year.  We had a beautiful snowfall and a couple of quiet days between interviews to get a few things ready.  Claire & Graham arrived on the 30th and Adam’s family on New Year’s Day.All is calm, all is bright.It was great having a whole extra week before we had our family Christmas gift giving. That gave me time to get the stockings ready, this year 9 of them.  I didn’t have time to wrap a single thing until after the 25th this year.  What an interesting thing to be on a mission doing other things while the rest of the world runs around like crazy!As you can see, the stockings are the best part of our Christmas morning fun.Christmas Morning:

I saw this posted on Facebook and it felt like my own words:

My children each year ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I’d give them my real answer:
What do I want for Christmas? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your relationships, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don’t care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.
I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how, and I’m not bragging, but I did a pretty darn good job. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work, I’m pretty proud of it. Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas, I say “nothing” I want you.

And that’s exactly what I got for Christmas this year!

And here is the star of our show, baby Clark!Dinner out tonight at Mod Pizza:It’s been a great Christmas so far.  We have a few more days to celebrate with our family. This is the best part of all.  I am grateful for Heavenly Father’s Magnificent Plan for our happiness.  I feel so grateful when I’m with these beautiful kids (and Aaron’s dear friend, Kassi).