Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

With all of the Hustle and Bustle of the Season and the Season before that my blog has suffered. But I did want to take a minute and update at least our family Christmas Card. We had a wonderful Holiday season that started with a family trip with the Barnhurst side of the family to the NFR. My mom and dad have saved for the last two years while my brother was on his mission to take our whole family there. It was an amazing trip one full of treasured memories. The next weekend I had a Miller Family Christmas party at my house. This was so fun and something I have longed to do for years. We also celebrated Jake's birthday and attend his first music concert. He did great! I am excited that he is developing his music talent. We attended a Music Program for Jake at School. Several Wrestling tournaments that I am struggling being a fan of. Zeak is improving in his ability as a wrestler and changing from a kid into a teenager. He has suffered a concussion already but is not a quitter! We had several friend parties and have family parties to come. We attended a live nativity which was an awesome experience for our children. We kept our tradition with the Williams family of shopping together for the angel tree. I witnessed a Christmas miracle that will be a treasured memory. The week of Christmas brought on a huge wake up call to our family in a not very fun way. Zeak had been going to wrestling every morning by 6 am (he definitely is more dedicated than his mom) Tues morning he went out and had no reason to go out to the horses but because he loves his horse he went to check on him and found him dead in his corral. For anyone who knows Zeak this was devastating. I am overcome with emotion still as a type, the support we received from our loved ones (Family & Friends) was overwhelming. Even though the death was not in our house which I am grateful for, this friend has left a huge whole in our hearts. As I sat in Jake's baptism interview today I was reminded of the promises we make to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort. I am so grateful for so many who have kept their baptismal promises and have done just that. For those who are not baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and yet still teach me so much about living a Christ like Life. Even though we have suffered great pain and sorrow this week. We also received great gifts of Love and Comfort which gifts we have been given from Him whom we celebrate this Christmas Season. I am so grateful for this season and the reminder of His precious gift! For Christ infinite Love, for his atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for this imperfect family to still be so loved and blessed especially this Christmas Season. We hope all is well with our family and friends and you have a Happy New Year.

Miller Christmas Party

I decided to host a Miller Family Christmas Party at my house this year. We have not together as cousins for at least 15 years. As a child my fondest memories were playing with my cousins and spending the holidays with them. We were usually at Grandma and Grandpa's house where we would literally play for days. During the holidays we would help Grandma inventory the store during the day and play at night. After my Grandpa's Birthday party and listening to all the memories I decided we needed to create more memories with Grandpa and Grandma. So we set Saturday December 11th as the date. I had a stressful week getting vinyl done and my house cleaned but it was so worth it. My family was good to help late Friday night and my mom, dad, Dusty, and Mckenzie, helped put the finishing touches on Saturday morning. We started with a special guest visitor. We didn't do gifts so we had everyone bring food for the food bank instead and we let Santa take it and deliver it to the food bank. Everyone helped with the meal, we had soup and grandma's famous scones, hot chocolate and yummy desserts. We made a nativity for each family to take home and the highlight of the party for me was the nativity and Grandpa's lesson. He got choked up and had a hard time finishing but the spirit was there and the kids could feel it. I am so grateful for my grandparents and all they do for us. I am grateful everyone made the sacrifice to be here for the party can't wait til next year.