Our Greatest Christmas Gift....

Friday, December 4th--I made my way to the Festival of Trees again. This time, to be able to meet with the families of the children we dedicated the tree to. I've mentioned it before but will do so again. We dedicated our tree display to Sadie Huish (age 6) and Lucas Nelson (age 8 months), both precious angels who passed away this summer from different forms of brain cancer. Both families live within a few blocks of each other and from me, in Eagle Mountain. After reading their blogs (http://sadiehuish.blogspot.com/ and http://nelsonsforever.blogspot.com/ ) I knew we had to dedicate our tree to their children. I knew the Nelsons already but didn't know the Huish's other than their daughter, Livi, was on the same t-ball team with Brady and I'd seen Tiffany at church meetings. I was so grateful when Dustin & Crystal agreed that we should dedicate it to them. Stories of Sadie and Lucas inspired many of the ideas we had, one of the reasons the design was child-like. Copies of Sadie's beautiful artwork were placed on a small art easel on the top of the tree and a large art easel to the side of the tree.

I gave each of Lucas and Sadie's siblings a Curious George fleece blanket and a stuffed Curious George. They seemed to love them a lot. We made our way through the crowds and went straight to the tree. It was very crowded but I told everyone to take their time looking at the display. We spent about 15 minutes there and took pictures. My friend, Sharee, just happened to show up while we were there so I got to introduce her and let them know she helped design the tree decor. My one wish was that I wouldn't be a cry-baby the whole time. I prayed it would be a happy experience and it was just that. There were only few tears but mostly smiles and lots of hugs.

I am still touched and honored that both families allowed us to invite ourselves into their lives and loss. Lucas had only been gone a few weeks when I asked his mom, Shannon. I cried many tears, and still do, thinking about each of them and how they cope and grieve on a daily basis. They are my heros and examples of courage and faith--faith to move forward and do what it takes to make sure they are reunited with their little angels someday. Sadie and Lucas are also my heros, what they endured as they fought cancer, I wouldn't wish on anyone, but they still found moments to smile and the sparkle in their eyes is priceless. I will remember them the rest of my life, I am sure of it.

This experience has truly been our greatest Christmas gift. I couldn't ask for anything more. I will hold the memory of this in my heart always. Thank you so much to the Huish (Zach, Tiffany, Livi & Sam) and Nelson (Aaron, Shannon, Kaden & Jonas) families--you are my friends and true examples of strength.

Taking My Family to the Festival of Trees

Thursday, December 3rd--Today was the day I was, finally, almost 100% better after getting the flu on Tuesday. Nate and I took the kids to the Festival of Trees. He came straight from work and we met him there. It was horribly packed and trying to find a parking spot took quite a long time--even at 4:30 in the afternoon. We started at the gingerbread houses, so many creative ideas! Elise and Brady loved the ones that portrayed the house in the movie, "Up". The tree display we donated was quite close to the gingerbread houses so we went there next. The kids looked for a bit and seemed to love it. A few more aisles of trees were all they wanted to handle. They were getting pretty bored so Nate took them home and I finished looking around. There was a variety of different kinds of trees, some were quite elaborate and beautiful, others were plain and, um, not-so-beautiful. I was surprised to see so many trees still for sale. I wonder if the troubled economy contributed to that. I hope all of them sold. My SIL, Wendy purchased a beautiful tree with Beanie Babies all over it. I left and went to SuperTarget to get stocking stuffers (it's the place to go!). After that I stopped at Burger King to get some dinner. I regretted that decision as I got food poisoning and suffered for the next 4 days! UG!

Festival of Trees--Decorating Day

Monday, November 30th--(I will post pics when I get them) We showed up at South Towne Expo Center at 9:30 am to start decorating. My brother-in-law, Dustin and his wife, Crystal came with their 1-year-old, Danika and my mother-in-law, Rosemary, also showed up to help decorate and take care of Danika. We found our spot, aisle P-5, pretty quick and starting pulling everything out. The tree took a while to get up and stabilized--FOT rules are that a hollow trunk needs a PVC pipe in the middle and rebar around the outside of the trunk to secure the tree for transport. Being this was the first year we did this, we didn't know what to expect at all but we went with the flow and were very thankful there were spaces, surrounded by us, that weren't occupied till much later, when we were almost through. We needed all the space we could get!
We had a blast! It was so much fun decorating and seeing others create their masterpieces as well. We had so many miracles take place during the adventures of getting everything we needed to make this happen. I am still amazed as I look back over the last couple of months.
I need to thank those that helped make this happen, their input and work contributed so much: my cousin, Carly Bates--she helped me start the initial decorating of the tree and figure out how to connect all the lights on the tree (a nightmare! ha ha), Rhonda Pierson--she sewed 6 fleece blankets (1 to go with the display, 4 for the siblings of the children we dedicated the tree to and an extra for a Christmas present), Sharee Forsgren--she came over to my house to help us make the final decisions on how to decorate the tree, Rosemary, my MIL--she donated items and money and then came to help on this day. I appreciate so many that offered to help as well!
I'm thankful Dustin & Crystal let me help. Last year, they mentioned they wanted to do a tree and I asked if I could help. We worked well as a team and I hope I wasn't too much of a control freak!
The weekend prior to decorating day, Crystal, was contacted by a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune to do a story on our tree. I was amazed at this request as they didn't even know what our theme was or anything about the children we were dedicating it to. A photographer caught us while we decorated and took pics. We were very happy to find an article, on-line, about us and the tree on Thursday, December 3rd. Here's the ">link.
After about 5 hours we finished up. It look much longer than expected but the requirements are that ALL things placed on the tree need to be wired on so that nothing falls during transport of the tree to the buyer. We are thankful the tree sold at the auction/gala.
As my family was dealing with so much illness the week before, I kept praying I would be able to stay healthy so I could decorate. I was thankful for that! The next morning I woke up with the flu. I had planned to go to the auction/gala to see if our tree would sell and just couldn't--I was pretty bummed. We don't know who bought it or for how much but that fact that it sold, and the money goes to Primary Childrens Medical Center, and so many enjoyed it is all that matters.

Day 8--I'm Thankful For My Health

Sunday, November 29th--I'm at home today, another week of no church. The family is sick. Elise was doing well and then started puking her guts out late last night. I have been faithfully taking all sorts of vitamins and herbal remedies in hopes of maintaining my good health--so far, so good (knock on wood!). I'm thankful for friends and family who have shared their secrets of staying healthy and I'm using those to their full extent. I'm sure eventually it'll all catch up to me and I'll get the mother-load of all illnesses but for now, I'm enjoying pretty good health and I pray it'll get me through this coming week as we do the Festival of Trees.

Day 7--I'm Thankful For Living In the Moment

Saturday, November 28th--As I was driving around running errands today I came to a realization that made me a little sad. Elise is almost 8, which means, in only a few more years, that Christmas "magic" we've all enjoyed ever since the kids were babies won't be present anymore (you all know what I'm talking about). Soon she'll figure it all out and it won't be as "magical" anymore--I think I was 9 or 10 when my big sister opened her big mouth! It made me sad. I know once she knows that Christmas will still be wonderful. I just remember once I knew, things just weren't the same anymore. I still loved Christmas and have always but knowing SC doesn't come to my home made a difference.

I'm going to try my hardest not to think about it anymore and just live in the moment, enjoy the "magic" with my children, put on all the movies about SC and just soak it all in. I know, by doing that, it'll be an amazing Christmas--as will all Christmas's I get to share with my family. My family is what I give thanks for the most.

I discovered a really cool website, in case your little kiddies are wanting to send SC a wish list: http://www.santaclaushouse.com/ (I SOOO want to go there!)

Mail wish lists to:

Santa Claus House

101 St. Nicholas Drive

North Pole, AK 99705

Your kids should receive a letter back with a postmark stamped: North Pole, Alaska.

Day 6--I'm Thankful For Christmas Cheer!

Friday, November 27th--I spent almost the entire day decorating my home, inside and out. I absolutely loved it! Nate and the kids put up the family tree downstairs. It's a crazy looking tree but they are all very proud of it and I am proud of them for making it just what it needs to be. Elise & Brady spent a chunk of the day "studying" the commercials on TV and making their Christmas wish lists--then revising several more times as more things of interest popped up. I loved watching other neighbors putting up their Christmas decorations this weekend as well. There's something to say about that "feeling in the air". It's definitely in our neighborhood and all around. I'm so happy for this time of year! Like I said, it's been a very long year. I'll be glad when 2009 is over and we can hope for a wonderful 2010. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this next month with my family and friends celebrating as much as possible with plenty of Christmas cheer! Happy Holidays! I'm so thankful!

Day 5--I'm Thankful for GREAT Food!

Thursday, November 26th--HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I just spent the entire day either cooking food or eating it. Elise did an excellent job setting the table. The turkey was nice and moist (Martha Stewart you rock!), the gravy took a little while to get perfect but it was just that. The mashed taters were smooth, no lumps. The rolls and veggies, celery with cheese whiz, stuffing. Sparkling Cider fizzing in our mouths. It was all so great! Then there was the dessert......woah baby! Pumpkin cheesecake, mini cakes from Dippidee---that was only the beginning! We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. My sister, Alishia, and her family came to eat with us. We had a wonderful time with them, as always. I'm truly thankful for them and all the love and affection they show Brady and Elise.

After we said "good-bye" to them we headed to Nate's parents house where most of his family was still around. We ate dessert there, so delicious, a pumpkin roll from Schmidt's Bakery, homemade banana, pumpkin & apple pies. Just amazing. Needless to say, we all overate today. I don't regret it a bit, it was all so good. I enjoyed every little bite thoroughly.

I hope everyone was able to enjoy a scrumptious Thanksgiving and ponder on the hundreds, even thousands, of reasons we should all be thankful!