What a great week and a spectacular weekend! Emily surprised us last Saturday and enjoyed Thanksgiving with us. What a treat! Next year I hope we can all be together?? Had a great turkey day at Janel's and then left for Thatcher with all the grandkids. Janel joined us Friday afternoon and then the whirlwind began. Emily and I put the Thanksgiving decorations away in storage and brought the Christmas boxes home. Janel and Emily helped me put up the decorations in the front yard and the tree inside. Now it's up to me to decorate the rest. I do love the season and it's so fun to bring out my decorations and relive the memories I have of all of you kids home, young and so excited for Christmas. Yes, I'm crying as I write this. It's been an emotional weekend and I just want to say thanks to my girls for being there for me. If I knew how to put pictures on my blog I'd take some and post my work. Hint, hint.

Friday and Saturday night we worked on crafts and made some incredible gifts. I have a baby shower this Saturday for Shane and Kelsy Parra and Janel was nice enough to make my gift. Emily made a darling sign for her room and Janel made some Christmas gifts. We work well together, just wish Brianna, Katie and Hannah could have been with us. It was truly a team effort!

Dad left yesterday for North Dakota and it was very bittersweet. We're so thankful to have the possibility of having an income, but it's so far away from home and I miss him dreadfully already. Don't ever take for granted your spouse or the ones you love the most. I'm grateful for our challenges and know that I'll look back on this time and see that it was necessary for us to take the next step in life. Just very difficult right now.

Know that I love each of you and again so grateful for your support. Looking so forward to Christmas and having those that can make it home for the holidays. Love, mom