So, I've discovered that changing the look of the background on a blog isn't that easy. Maybe it will be next time, but this time it wasn't. What a pain! Long story short: after HOURS of trying to get it right, I settled for just re-entering everyone's links. If yours isn't there, let me know and I'll put it back.
The whole point of changing it was so I would feel motivated to put pictures up and report on the last month of our lives (and I didn't like how "ugly" it was--so now you have a "girl" page...sorry boys!). Well, most of my family was there the last month, so we'll see if I get them up or not (probably not).
As for our Christmas and New Years, we had a great time! It was so good for me to be around my family and have Jim with me too! For those of you who don't know...I take my trips home with our (mostly) without Jim, so that was fun to have him there with us this time. It felt like FOREVER since I've seen some of my siblings and their spouses, I was really glad we were able to spend time with them. And, I even got to enjoy sleeping in for a few weeks--thanks Mom and Dad!
We had a really relaxing Christmas day. We took our time opening presents, and it was very enjoyable. We did let the kids just hurry it up about 1/2 of the way through the process as they were getting bored. This year it really felt like a "magical" Christmas to me. I don't know if I was more "into it" than in years past, or if it was the kids' excitement, but it was truly a wonderful day and season for us. Our friends and family were so generous with us this year, I am still amazed. Thanks everyone!
Believe it or not, for the first time in my life I actually watched the Rose Parade! That was a treat, especially around my house where it is a working morning every year (we sell the programs, but I had to take the year off). Eric and I did sell programs down where they build the floats, which was actually enjoyable for me this year. I think that is for 2 reasons: 1-I sold "a little bit" and didn't kill my body over it day after day wearing a bag of programs, and 2-Eric. He really got into the selling! It was so cute for me to see him join the family and really belt it out. That kid can yell! He loved to get the money from people. He is in many stranger's photo books as the little boy learning math and earning money. He really did a good job and added quite a bit to his savings! The only problem is now he wants to do jobs around the house to get money to buy another DS game...I think he has the "easy money" idea (which parade is) and when I make him do chores he'll feel a little jipped. Oh well, thats life.
We had a lot of family time in LA (which we have had for the past 5 months), but I think being "on vacation" made it nicer because we had more variety in life. We saw the extended family a few times for dinner, went to Disney's California Adventure (thanks Hili), went to Kidspace (thanks Aunt Brenda), and did more things together that made it more fun than being at home. Jim and I were also able to go out without the kids, which was REALLY nice. Thanks everyone for helping Mom and Dad while they watched the boys for us.
Looking back on the year, I've decided that life truly has a lot of bumps in the road. I mean A LOT. I think I've been pretty lucky in "my former life" that I haven't had very many bumps all at the same time. The last year has been really hard on me, especially the last 5 months. I'm sure there must be something that I'm still supposed to be learning that I haven't yet, although I've learned a lot and my outlook on life is more...hardened and realistic, I guess. My faith has been greatly deepend and TESTED, and I am more grateful every day for my family. Both Jim's family and my family have been so helpful and loving. My family has loved and supported me so much in my life, but I feel it more after this last year. I am especially grateful for my Dad. I think he is the most amazing man for his patience, understanding, widom, and encouragement through these really tough times. Thanks, dad, for everything you do for me. I love you!
To close up the last long month of non-blogging, I need to report that Grandpa Lent passed away. We went to Vernal and had a lovely service honoring him and his life. It was good to see extended family members that we don't see very often, and to be there all together. I was concerned taking the boys to a funeral, but they did very well. Michael just didn't get it. Eric, however, was a little disturbed but I think he learned a lot. My dad held him up to see Grandpa at the viewing (which I was totally NOT going to do), but he was very inquisitive and quiet as he was trying to figure this all out. I was touched when Eric wanted to see his body one last time as they were closing the casket the next day. He told me before we left home to go to Vernal "I didn't get to say goodbye"...and since then we have had many discussions about death, bodies, Heavely Father, Heaven, resurrection, etc. What a good opportunity to teach him this has been. We will all miss Grandpa Lent and his 1/2 thumb.
Well, thats quite a lot of writing I didn't really "plan" to do. Congratulations, and I'm sorry, if you made it this far! I'll see if the kids will give me time to post pictures later!
Happy Birthday Dad!
The boys and Papi. 