The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As Steve, Anthony and I prepare for Christmas this year we have been thinking about all the things we are grateful for.  This became especially important Saturday afternoon as we learned that our 7 year old nephew Andy has Leukemia.  Andy and his family live in Boise so Steve and I put Anthony in the car, picked up Steve's mom and drove to Boise.  We were both grateful that we have a car that works and enough money in the bank that we could make a quick trip to Boise to give a hug to the people we love.  The look on Andy's face was priceless as we walked into the hospital room at 10:30 PM.  His face said "You care about me!" and YES! Andy we do care about you!!

While in Boise Steve and I got a hotel room for the night and were very grateful to the hotel staff that gave us a reduced rate since we didn't get there until midnight (can't charge for a full night if you are there less than 7 hours I guess!)  We were extremely grateful that Anthony slept through the night that night.  Sunday morning we went back to the hospital to see Andy.  He looked a lot better Sunday than he did on Saturday night.  He was still in a lot of pain and that will probably continue for awhile.  Sunday we also went to Steve's sister's house to play with the other kids.  Molly and I had a great time playing dress up with her magnet dress up dolls.  We then made a beautiful picture for Andy's hospital room.

We are blessed with a wonderful baby boy that loves to sleep in the car- so much so that he slept the entire 6 hour drive home and then he slept through the night Sunday night.  Thank you baby!!
So with all of this on our minds at this Christmas season, I give you our top ten list of things we are grateful for this Holiday Season.

10- Emily only has 4.5 more classes until she graduates and then we can have Mom/ Wife back!

9-Our health- despite a few colds and such this year we only made one trip to the ER, which turned out okay in the end.

8- Our home- we have all that we could possible want in our home and we are grateful for it!

7- Good jobs that come with a pay check

6- Two good dogs- Hunter and Moco are really good with Anthony and although we miss Lucy and Sally, we love our "kids"

5- Free Babysitters- how would we work and get Christmas done without them??

4- Family and Friends who love us and support us!

3- Time spent together as a couple and a family- the moments of peace together are truly priceless.

2- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and our testimony of the gifts of the Atonement!!!!

and the number 1 thing we are grateful for this Christmas season...

ANTHONY BENJAMIN CARLSON!!!  We don't know where we would be without him.

We are excited to announce that on January 21 at 9:15 AM we have an appointment with a Judge to finalize the adoption of Anthony and then on January 22 at 11:00 AM we will be sealed together as an eternal family at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  We hope that you find peace, love and hope this Christmas season and that you always remember the true reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!!