If only in my dreams...

Feliz Navidad

It's been interesting seeing the Lord's hand in my life and how much happier people are during Christmas. I've been to temple square to see the Christmas lights and nativity scene more times than I can count. Great for people watching! (If you need to find free parking in good walking distance I now know where to go so you don't have to park at the capital building) There was one time after a Christmas concert that I really enjoyed watching what was going on under me in the assembly hall. The singers ran back to their families. One older gent was holding his new grand baby with a look of profound glee like he got the first present under the tree. Then there was an older lady who was stooped and not dressed up like everyone else. She quietly walked to a seat in the front that was empty and just had the biggest look of gratitude on her face. She came just to hear the songs about Christ. No family- no friends. I was debating if she was homeless or not. After the concert she stayed there smiling and alone while the boisterous families walked past her. I didn't know her story but I could see how sincere she was. She looked like she considered Jesus Christ to be her best friend.

It made me realize just how much I was taking my blessings for granted. Even though my family may be apart right now it isn't like things will stay that way forever.  


Let me explain

This was my first Christmas away from home and although I still would have preferred to be with my family, I didn't get BRONCHITIS!! Oh the memories of Christmas' past.

At least we were all together that Christmas though. One day we won't have to choose between health and family

As my Dad is well aware our family is scattered all across the world this season! Nick is in Germany with the Army, Stephanie and Ariel just moved to Georgia, I just moved to Salt Lake City and Dad and Diamond Belle are in San Antonio. I bet our logic was if we spread the Handy family out enough we can spread the awesome throughout the world more effectively. Yeah, that was it.

As long as we have each other we don't need to be in Texas! And now all the siblings have access to snow so we can beat it with a baseball bat in an emotional rage!Am I right? eh? eh?

Still it is hard not being there and rolling out the duct tape, lighting the fire without lighter fluid and other fun memories that just make us sound crazy but are really fun.

I've been tremendously blessed today because the weather is WARM. I was so worried I was going to break my streak of no white Christmases. 42 degrees and all sun today. The snow melted completely yesterday and it has been so lovely. Because of a cold front in San Antonio it actually evened out to about the same temperature. Heavenly Father loves me, I think it is supposed to snow a lot for new years.

My roommate Susie adopted me into her family this year and I went to her Sister and Brother-in-law's for the holiday. We tracked Santa all night. And they went to bed by the time he hit NYC just in case. Everyone knows Santa doesn't visit kids who are still awake.

I told Susie and co. a Christmas story and was quite in awe of the illustrations. Yes, that little girl IS having a tea party with a bear, reindeer, and rabbit. They then build the biggest best snowman because you're never too small to do great things if you try your best and have friends... in case you were wondering

This was followed by a massive wrapping party and old movie party. Finally saw the end of White Christmas and the entirety of Miracle on 34th Street. My favorite part is when Mr. Macy decides to testify in court that he believes in Santa. Oh yeah, and Doris and Mr. Gayle fall in love in the end. I love that everything seems right in the world in these movies.

Photo-bombing family pictures is a past time of mine :-)

 Susie might kill me for this but her bumble bee song cracked me up every time. She brought her mother a bumble bee and then smushed it. This was her face after she smushed him.










Christmas morning we were awoken by a very excited Cody who wanted us to come open our stockings. It was only 8:30 bless his heart. He must have really been holding back.

I haven't been around a bunch of small children for Christmas in a while. Note the glee

We had fun opening presents and BOY HOWDY there were so many freakin presents! Haha Cooper got tired of opening in the very beginning. It reminded me of Ariel last year.

Susie spoke with Stephanie and tried to recreate the awesome duct tape tradition. I was not on my A-game today. That is all I have to say about that. 

 

Oh, and thanks for the new awesome purse dad!

It smells like fresh cow :-)

Speaking of cows my sister prepared for me a small package meant to brighten my life.

This is Mozzerella. She is a member of the Moofia.

Yes, you heard me right.

She sleeps on my bed now and beats the crap out of bullies who steal milk money from little kids.

She then gives the milk money back to the wee bitty ones so they can drink the milk and get bigger and stronger and beat the crap out of bullies on their own. Brings the whole teach a man to fish story to a whole new level huh?

She might be moving to my lab soon to beat up any meanies I may find there.

That's how my big sister looks after me yessiree bob. With a tommy gun and a cow suit.

But if you think I loved my presents let me show you what true joy is:

He later told us he would love it forever and keep it to give to his kids because then it would be as if he still had it. He would also have a ton of kids.

This little number was also very poop-ular with the kids

And so was the Driedal that Suzie gave me.

Hours of fun I am telling you. HOURS OF FUN!

It truly has been great, but like I said, I do miss my family. I got a call from Germany today and my Dad said he is giving Diamond Belle a Christmas present of a bath. Poor sausage doggy.

If there is one thing I would like to give to my family it is this message that I love them. They are one of my greatest gifts.

The one good thing about being able to be away from my family- if there is one- is that I have had so much more time to concentrate on other people instead of myself. I mean I can either focus on being alone up here or actually go out and do something right? I love my Savior and am so happy to celebrate His birth and life. Because of the way he lived his life and the power of his atonement I don't have to be alone. He knows me and loves me. He loves my family. I don't know anything else that is as comforting as that. Merry Christmas friends and family! I'll see you all very soon!