Family Time!!

I sit here tonight so excited for the upcoming holidays and the sweet peace that they bring. It is my favorite time of the year.  More than the decorations or the baking or the lights or the tree....my favorite thing ever is family time!  I miss being around family and even more having my children here with us.  Nothing can compare to the laughter and the hugs and the closeness of family.  Heavenly Father must have known how important it was to not be alone so he gave us families.  Mine truly is the center of my universe. I would do or give anything to anyone of them.  I am so glad that we are sealed together for eternity from my parents down to my children.  I want every chair full around my table all the time - not just at holidays.  I truly can hardly wait to see everyone again.

This past few months has been a whirlwind. It seems like we are always so busy yet life has been really good.  I was able to fly to Utah three times in one month to be with Brittnie and Boyd.  I surprised Brittnie by showing up at her doorstep on her birthday with balloons and gifts. She had no idea that I was coming so to see her smile was awesome. We went to breakfast with Boyd then headed to meet Tina and Ashlyn. We spent the entire day shopping, eating at her favorite Cheesecake factory then watching a live performance of one of her favorite shows Dancing with the Stars.  Worn out and tired we headed home but it was so worth it.  Bonding is the way to go. 

I spent two more weeks up there helping Boyd and Brittnie move.  Brittnie's move was quote eventful as we ran into many issues from unclean apartments to being locked out of her current place with all of her clothes still inside.  We managed to pull it off and I will say her room was much more organized and clean when we got done.  Boyd's was an easy move as he did not have tons of stuff. We moved him out of my parents into an apartment and he has awesome roommates. He works hard to pay the price to live there but never complains. He is trying so much harder in school this year and wants to succeed so badly.  I could not be more proud of him. 

I always feel guilty when I take off and leave Skyler home with Rob or by himself.  I should not but I do.  I only have a few more months at home with him before he will be gone too.  Then I am stuck with just my best friend.  Skyler is also doing better this year in school - or at least he is fooling me better. He loves choir and is in the top group at school.  He has great friends and seems so much happier this year.  What will I do with another empty chair - be sad of course but proud too.

Cortnie is living her dream.  I miss her like crazy.  I miss all my kids but I guess her being that much farther away seems like she is gone more even though she is not.  We surprised her as a family on her birthday too. She thought just Brittnie was coming to visit her but the scream and look on her face at the airport when she saw us all was great!  And yes she even started to cry.  We had been planning this trip for months and I thought for sure she had caught us the few times we said something and she knew...but she had no clue. We spend five wonderful days together as a family.  We all dressed up for the big Halloween party and even went trick or treating.  We rode rides and ate junk food and walked many miles, and had little sleep but it was so worth it.  It was hard to leave her there but knowing that family time is coming again soon made it easier.  In fact, I am going out for a mom's weekend here in a couple of weeks. I am so excited to finally see what she has been working on and to have it debut in the disney parks on Black Friday.  She has applied for another internship and jobs there so she will most likely be staying in  Florida. That alone breaks my heart but I am so glad she is happy.

As much as I hate the fact that my kids have grown up, I could not be happier for them. Rob and I are very lucky parents to have four beautiful and fun children.  They make us smile and worry and laugh and cry - but nothing could be better.  I thank God everyday for everyone of them.  Almost 30 years ago we started this union of ours and it has been the best 30 years ever.  I made the best decision the  day I married Rob for eternity and that choice has been even better every passing day.  Nothing can beat family time!!