Waiting........and waiting

Can you believe it is Christmas Day again already?  It does not even seem possible that the presents are all opened and the house mostly cleaned up.  Christmas came and went so quickly this year - except for one part.  I am patiently waiting for Cortnie to call.  I will say that I am very anxious as I keep wandering around the house. I am trying to pack up some things for our trip, but don't want to go too far away from the computer.  What if I miss the Skype call?  I will not miss her again this Christmas.  She told us she would call about an hour ago but nothing yet.  Everyone keeps checking the computer to see if she is on so I know that it is not just me.  I can hardly wait - but at the same time, I am sad.  I have not seen her pretty face since Mother's Day and my heart is at peace.  I am worried that seeing her will open up the wound again and make it hard to move forward.  Her mission president even said he does not like Christmas cause all the missionaries get "trunky" after their phone calls and have a hard time getting back into the work.  I ....WAIT, there she is!

Wow, she looks so good!  She was so happy and laughed and yes, she cried.  It was so wonderful to see her face and actually see her as a real person instead of just someone in my mind.  She said that she missed our hugs - if she only knew how much I miss those too.  I don't think I will stop hugging her when it comes time to pick her up.  She told us all about her Christmas - the sleepover at the trail center, the opening of gifts, the candy that we sent and she did not get much of, the breakfast casserole, the telling of traditions and other sisters wondering why she does all of that.  I just wanted to soak it all in and not forget about it.  We opened our presents while she was online and it was wonderful.  Boyd got an Elder Beatty apron, Britt got Cortnies' missionary ring, Skyler got a shirt, dad got a DVD and I got the most beautiful Christmas hymn book.  And then there were the letters that she wrote to each one of us.  We read those when she was gone and I cried some more.  That hour went by way to fast.  As it got to be close to the time for her to leave, the tears started to fall down her face.  That started my waterfall too.  She did not want to hang up and said she could not do it. We blew kisses and told her Ohana and then she was gone.  I found comfort in Rob's arms but it still hurts so bad.  I MISS HER!  I pray that the next five months go by just as fast so soon I can have her in my arms again....until she falls asleep.  Please, keep her safe Heavenly Father - she is my baby girl.

Now to snap out of this for the rest of my children. We need to have a fun day. I need to quickly pack for our trip to Utah and then it is games and movies.  We all had a wonderful morning. I woke up to my children laughing as they were pushing each other off the beds and waiting to wake us up. They even gave us an extra half an hour this year.  They all got what they wanted - well, except for Brittnie cause she never tells you what she wants so you just get her whatever.  I love watching them get excited and happy.  I love Christmas. 

I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father's son and His love.  Without him, we would not have today.  I pray that we can enjoy the next week and our families.  Merry Christmas!