Best Gift Received this Christmas...

Sorry sisters, I know this picture isn't one of the best, but it was the only one I had of all of us together over Christmas. I feel so bad, because I was looking through my pictures and noticed we never got one with our mother in it. I am so sad about that.

I was thinking about my family today and missing them. I tend to miss them a little bit more right after seeing them. When I go from seeing them every day for 2 weeks to not at all, I feel a small void in my heart. Which is why I want to document what my best gift was this Christmas.

This Christmas, me and my sisters were sitting in the living room visiting with our parent's after the kids had all gone to sleep. Mom wanted to share an article out of the church news that had made an impact on her. It talked about how in the world today, we tend to focus more on what material things we can have or give to others. We seem to think that the more "things" we can give the people we love, the more they have or gain in this world.

But we know, it is really just the opposite of that.

Whatever material things we obtain in this world, as nice as they may be, we will not take with us when our time on earth is through. The article went on to talk ask what as parents are we giving to our children that will leave a LASTING effect? My mother and father shared their thoughts and feelings about this to me and my sisters. My mother felt prompted to share with us her personal testimony of her Heavenly Father and of her Savior. She told us that she hopes that she has instilled in us the ability to rely on our Heavenly Father when things get hard and trial arise throughout our lives. Because it is only through Him we will be able to endure anything that comes our way.

Mom then gave us each a small wrapped box. In it, was a silver gold necklace. The pendant was a circle that said, "Mother Daughter Friend" around the inside of the circle. She told us that the meaning for giving us this necklace wasn't just to have another "thing" for Christmas. But it was to represent and to help remind us of what our mother had just told us about turning to our Heavenly Father when things get hard. That no matter where we all are, we can wear this and remember how much our mother loves us and how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

This necklace is very special to me because of what it reminds me. Everytime I wear it, I will remember that night with my parent's and the things they told me and the feelings I felt. I also love the idea that my two best friends in the world have one too, and that even though we are far apart, we are all wearing them and thinking of the same things.

Thank you momma for alway teaching us what we need to know to become better mothers, wives, and daughter of God. I love you!

Back to Reality...

We just got back from our long 2 week stay in Wyoming's winter wonderland! We had such a great time, despite the flu germs that were passed around from one cousin to the next. Who said our kids should share?
Some how my two kids had not come down with the flu. (knock on wood) I was SO anxious and nervous for our long drive home. I just knew the girls would start having diahrea or throwing up any moment along the way. We prayed really hard that our girls would be spared since they would be driving in a car for two straight days. By the grace of God I think we made it home without them getting sick.
While we were in Wyoming, we sat around and visted a lot with old friends and family. All my siblings got home to be together. Although the bad weather tryed to keep us apart, we all finally made it! My mom and dad made it so nice to be there. Dad likes to play around and joke around with the kids. He always has a good joke to make us all laugh. Mom alway made sure we were all fed with yummy food and fun treats. She had the house decorated to the nines! Alyssa said she had never seen such a beautiful big tree in her life. I spent some much needed time visiting and playing cards with my grandmothers. They are both widows now, and I know that they get lonely at times. I hate that I don't get to see them on a regular basis. I miss them terribly, but I was pleased to see them looking so well.
I have posted a bunch of pictures to recap some of the highlights of our trip!


Are we there yet? This is a picture I took as we were driving into the Big Horn Basin area. It took us 21 hours to get there. I know, crazy right?

This is a ladies luncheon while in Billings Montana. That is where people back home go for "real shopping." (left to right: Mom, Tamara, Me, Olivia, Grandma Busteed)

No, you are not seeing things. This is actually me playing guitar hero on the XBox my nephews got for Christmas. I will admit that it was actually really fun. But I would never play it for hours like men tend to do! (I won't name any names)

My older sister, Tamara, dipping our annual Christmas chocolates. Isn't she cute?

My younger sister, Olivia, trying to help dip the chocolates. She has a real weakness for chocolate as you can see.

While we were at my mom's house, our little Isabella learned how to crawl up and down stairs. It wouldn't have been so bad, but as you can tell, there is a huge death drop off the side of them. It was hard not to worry about her going on them because I was so scared she was going to fall and break her neck! She was very proud of herself for learning something new though! I now officially vow never to have a big set of stairs in my new house.

Here is the snow gang! Robert(didn't he get the memo that it was COLD outside?), Alyssa, Olivia, Quinton, and Carter. This is in front of my mom and dad's house. The snow was just right for building snow balls and forts. They had a big snowball fight. The kids got really into it. It was pretty funny. Afterwards the boys started to destroy the forts they made and Alyssa didn't like that and had a complete and uncontrolable meltdown over it. Let's just say, she needed a nap very badly.

I was offically voted best wife in the whole world on Christmas! At least in my husbands mind. Me and my mom and dad got him a set of golf clubs and a golf bag for his new found love for the golf game. I know that he was really wanting some for a long time and that he will use them a lot this coming year. My husband is not speechless very often, but he was completely shocked and surprised by the gift. That night after I got ready for bed, he had one of the clubs laying next to him in bed where I would sleep. (ha,ha,ha-what a joker!)

My dad and Isabella wrestling around. All the kids just love playing around with Grandpa just like me and my siblings did when we were younger.

Bella was going exploring for presents on Christmas morning. Why do kids like to play in the boxes more than with the gifts that were in the box?

Alyssa being the little princess that she is, was in full dress up for Christmas morning. She wanted to try on her dress up clothes as she opened gifts. It was cute and she had a blast!

Me and my little girls on Christmas Eve before them went to bed. We had just put cookies out for Santa and Alyssa insisted on writing a letter to Santa too. They were so excited to him to come! Alyssa told Grandpa that he had to turn off his fireplace so that when Santa came down it, he wouldn't burn his butt. Where does she come up with this funny stuff?

You will alway need a BIG hot cup of cocoa while in Wyoming during the winter time. It was below zero for half of the time we were there. BURRRR!

Me and my beautiful familia on Christmas! We were so lucky to be there together for such a special time of year!

This was taken of us just after we rang in the New Year. Bella had just woke up from being asleep. I think we got a little loud and woke her up. We had a some family members come over for snacks and games on New Year's Eve. My uncle Ray and his son Kyle brought some fireworks that they lighted as it turned year 2009! We all walked out on my mom's front proch to watch and froze our butts off. I had these thick warm socks on and while doing a sparkler, I stepped in a hot ash, and burned a big whole in my sock. Happy New Year right?

My sister, Tamara, got these matching Wyoming sweatshirts for the girls. Aren't they just so dang cute in them? My little Wyoming girls! Thanks Tam!

This is on our drive back to Tulsa. Say good-bye to the Big Horn Mountains everyone. Until next year! We love you and we will miss you.