First off, I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I usually post my family Christmas card before the holiday, but I didn't get around to it this year. I truly hope that the real spirit of Christmas blessed each of you and your families. I am so thankful for my savior Jesus Christ, and for his birth and the sacrifices He made. This year, I truly felt the Christmas spirit...both in giving and in gratitude. I was especially proud of my husband and the Christmas spirit of giving that he felt this year. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed visiting with my grandparents and parents at our party. I was thrilled to see my grandma Hudman is such high spirits...and to see her so giddy over the hat we gave her. I was so touched by her sweet handmade gift. She is 82 years old and she made me a handmade gift (a sweet little pin cushion). I was also touched by the sweet card and contents from my grandma Russell we found hidden on the tree several days later. My love for my grandparents cannot be put into words. I feel like the most blessed person on earth to have (or had) such an individual relationship with each of my grandparents. I feel like both of my grandmothers always encouraged me so much as I was growing up...and I feel like I would never be who I am today without them. I loved spending time with my parents and sister...we had such a great time pigging out on delicious food and playing music together. They always make the holidays special for our family. As if that wasn't enough, I got to turn around and spend more time with my "other" family. I say "other" because I honestly don't consider them to be "in-laws". I consider them all to be my family, not just my husband's. We enjoyed great food and company, and as always, plenty of laughs. And to top it all off, I have the most amazing husband and children. I can't tell you how full they make my life. My cup overflows with gratitude for this huge network of love and support.
I also felt a bit of sadness over the holidays...I certainly felt an absense at our holiday parties. Mainly, I couldn't stop thinking about Lisa, and how much I missed her. Christmas day, I couldn't seem to get her off of my mind no matter what I did. I also felt a bit emotional missing some of my grandparents who are no longer here. A family party isn't exactly the same when such a special person is missing. I guess that's the thing about having such a close connection with so many people...you have such a huge hole of absense when they are gone. I know they aren't really gone, but it is so hard when you can't see them or be in their delightful presense any longer. I guess maybe that is why I have treasured every chance I get to be around my grandparents...because I have seen how quickly they can be taken away.
I'll also admit that maybe I felt a bit undeserving of the blessings that have been sent to me. I truly feel like I have been blessed beyond words...I have so many loved ones around me, and so much family to love. I am so grateful to God for giving me so many people to love...for letting me live in a place that I truly love. I sometimes look out my window and feel my heart swell because I am so in "love" with the world around me. The beauty in every part of His creation. And to imagine...that out of all of the places in the world I could have ended up, I am here...in the most beautiful place on earth (at least in my opinion). I have the most amazing children...each so different and unique, and while none of them are perfect, they are the apple of my eye. They make every day so exciting, so much so, that I have LOVED having them home with me every second of every day. I am so grateful for the time we have been able to spend together since homeschooling them this year. It hasn't been easy, but it has been amazing. And, to top it all off, I have a husband who I love more with every passing day. He supports and loves me unconditionally, and from our sick sense of humor right down to our goals for raising a family, he is right there with me all of the way. I know I'm dragging on...I just want to publicly address how grateful I am for the people in my family. For this blessed season, and for the birth of my Savior, that made this all possible. I hope that each of you have been blessed by His love, and will continue to be blessed in the new year.
I never got around to posting our family photos used for our Christmas cards...
and over our Thanksgiving trip, we were able to get a complete "Russell Family" portrait (even though it won't be complete for long, because my little sister, Tawsha, is expecting!!!!)
Our Christmas came and went so quickly this year. It seems that each year, they go faster and faster. I tried to soak up every minute of it that I could, and like always, I ended up feeling overwhelmed and worn out by the time it was all over. I'm having my "holiday" right now :) Once the holiday rush is over, I stay in my sweats all day, work on craft projects, organize and edit photos, and post on my blog :)
I thought my kids would wake up at all hours of the night because of their excitement, but alas, it didn't happen. Shelby called us at 7:15am and we were all still asleep. So, we woke the kids up and the magic began. They were so excited about the nice gifts they received. It makes me remember all of the amazing Christmas memories that I had as a child. My parents lived the Christmas spirit to the fullest, and always made sure that it was one of the most exciting times of the year for me. I remember my father making me sick with excitement over Santa Clause. He would talk to me about Santa and all his elves...and we would always go for a drive on Christmas eve and look for Santa's sleigh in the sky. One year, I was absolutely certain that I saw his sleigh. I remember waking up on Christmas morn to a room full of presents...I thought I must be the luckiest child in the whole world. Little did I know that most of the toys were either from a yard sale, or hand sewn by my mom. I look back now at all that my parents sacrificed for me...and all of the love that they gave to me growing up. I hope that I can somehow do the same for my children.
Of course, I had to snap a photo of them all before they could touch any of the presents (I think Kate is still half asleep)...
and in this one, yeah, I'm makeup-less, and in my PJs, but it's the only one of me and my hubbs...
and later, we headed to grandma and grandpa Christensen's house for a present exchange with cousins and a delicious Turkey dinner...
and these girls shaped all of the rolls...thanks in part to our training sessions during potato harvest...
and the kids played with their new gifts...and Todd, he loves Barbies...I can totally see him someday with five little girls :)
poor Randy...he worked the night shift on Christmas Eve, and he was worn out...
David carving the turkey...
and a few rounds of the crazy dice game...
after all of the excitement, we headed home where the kids made an absolute disaster of the house. They spread their toys from one of the house to the other, but they were all so content playing together. My parents came by and visited for a while...and once again, we had a wonderful Christmas. Another one come and gone so quickly.
