Christmas Blessings

 Christmas was full of many emotions this year.  We decided to not focus on the negative but instead to remember all of our blessings and to have faith in our Heavenly Father.  When we started doing that the miracles started pouring in.  I would feel guilty if I didn't say thank you to the MANY anonymous people that blessed our family this holiday season.  Many blessings were left on our doorstep-literally.  The door bell would ring and we would answer it to find a plate of cookies, or a card for Crystal and Spencer full of gift cards to various restaurants so they could go on dates. Then there was the box wrapped in beautiful Christmas paper filled with a turkey, gravy, corn, potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, pie fixings and anything else you could possibly want for Christmas dinner. 
We carried the Christmas box into the house and set it on the counter.  All 8 children gathered around and watched as we pulled each item out of the box.  At first they were excited and jumping up and down then as they noticed the tears of their parents the room gradually became quiet.  By the time the contents of the box was emptied onto the counter nobody spoke or moved.  As I looked at each of my grown children I noticed silent tears falling down each of their faces.  William wondered who would bring us Christmas dinner?  Then he said how special and kind that was and he was right. 
Each time our door bell rang and another blessing lay at our feet we were reminded that we were loved, that we had not been forgotten that we were not alone.  Members of the church bought gifts for each of the children.  Things like new white church shirts and ties, toys for the children, a blow drier, and finally a beautiful baptism dress.  Then when I least expected it I received a check in the mail.  It wasn't the amount that humbled me but rather the person that sent it.  That meant more to me than even they will ever know.  Then a friend that I have had since Junior high sent us some money.  And finally there was the huge food order from the church.  As each cupboard was filled with food so was our hearts.
Normally people don't dare mention that they are or ever have been on the receiving end of charity.  Perhaps they are embarrassed or even a little too proud to admit it.  My very wise Bishop, Bishop Jones, gave me a bit of advice that I thought I would share.  He said, "People are always willing to receive the Spiritual Blessings that the Lord has to offer but many are unwilling to receive the Temporal Blessing he wants to bestow upon us."  Our wilingness to receive bless's not only those on the receiving end but all those who so willingly gave.
Our family has provided Christmas to several families in the past and the feeling of giving is amazing but the feeling you have when you are on the receiving end, although very similar, is very humbling.  So this Christmas despite our trials our family felt very loved and blessed.

Here are our 3 Christmas Elves!

The three greatest gifts our family received this year, Caden, Ellie, and Nolan.

I wish we could have set the two little ones up but they just weren't co-operating.  They were happiest laying down. 

We took them into the store on Christmas Eve and we had so much fun with them.  Everybody stopped and "oogled" (if that's a word) our little Christmas Elves.  They looked so cute!

Caden just wanted to play with his baby cousins

Caden or as we called him this holiday season... Buddy the Elf...because we was the biggest of our little elves. He is playing with one of the toys given to him by an anonymous donor.  He LOVES his cadillac!

Nolan Michael

His hat kept falling down over his face so we just propped it up there.

Ellie keeping a close eye on her momma 

Miss Payten

Eldredge Family- Jayden insisted she hold Baby Ellie 

Griggs Family

Caldwell Children

We really missed Haven this year. 

Izzy and Nolan

Izzy loved the tree

So did Caden

Royal and Charlee

DJ had to work until 2am Christmas Eve so we didn't get a picture of him at the party.  He arrived about 5am and crashed on the couch.  We did get to enjoy him Christmas day.  I was so thankful to have all of my children for the holidays. 

Payten and Jayden playing their game on Christmas day.  Crystal, Jessica and I made all the girls flower hair clips for Christmas.  They love them...RaLee even liked hers.

Trey with his fishing game the boy asks for one of these games every year.  He loves them!

Royal and RaLee

Again I want to express my gratitude to everyone for remembering our family during the Holiday season.  I am especially grateful to my Heavenly Father for all of our many blessings.  I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It gives me strength, peace and hope to carry on.