Elaine's Second Christmas

Hello again.... Sorry this christmas post is so late. Life has been so busy... everyone was sick for what seemed like weeks on end. ear infections, colds, etc.... finally this week we have been healthy. Christmas was so much fun this year, we had laine with us and it was such a blessing. Christmas was a busy week, on Dec 23 we had christmas with Grandma Gladys, aunt lisa and Mr. Jon(lisas sig. other) Laine received many presents and had ham dinner and twiced baked potatoes. Christmas eve was spent with just mommy and daddy and norman. We took Grandma with us to church, what an event when there is no nursery. Needless to say we used the food to keep you quiet trick... sugar cookies last a while and keep them quiet. We came home and opned presents as a family. We had some special family moments. On Christmas Day we went to Grandpa Johns, laine had so much fun opening presents and spending time with friends and family!! At the end of the week Uncle Mark and Aunt Flora came from Arizona. We had christmas with the troast family and every one spent the night at home like one big family. I got up very early and made homemade cinnamon rolls, about three hours later everyone woke up to an ooy, gooy breakfast!! Laine had so much fun!!!!! I think the best part for me was sitting back and taking it all in... last year I had to sit and open her presents because she was not there, that was emotional... and then to sit with a cup of coffee and watch her crawling all over grandpa and grandma T's house and getting into Aunt Lindseys laundry, pulling on the tree ornaments and spending time with family. I know I speak for josh when I say that God is amazing!! He gave us an amazingly strong and determined little girl, and through everything this past year I realize he has also given our family the gift of true faith, and understanding of the power of prayer and paitence, along with learning to trust, and rely only on the power of God and nothing eles. It is a honor to be given children, and an honor to raise them. And as a family we are forever gratful for this experience.