Ring Out the Old....Ring In the New!

Where does one begin to tell the story of the closing of a year that has held so many events and special, special occurences--ones that will be held dear and never forgotten -- EVER!
There is a song, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which evokes special memories that we have experienced throughout our lives. I think my Dad really wanted to be "home for Christmas." He had so many wonderful experiences and teachings to draw from and I think he longed to be with Mom again and to be welcomed by our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son to that home of his dreams. Even though I cry about missing him and feeling somewhat empty, I feel like he was finally able to be rewarded as he joined with Mom again and they together have felt the joy of "arriving home."
That was the beginning of the end of the year.
Next came the Body Motion Dance Concert, which was filled with the most beautiful little girls, all feeling special and performing for families who love them. I felt pretty special to watch the fruits of Billie Jo's labors and feel my heart burst with pride at her talents. There are some pictures of Tess and Mia at the concert, accompanied by Mia's best friend, Noah.
Next came the Community Christmas Concert. With beautiful decorations, a creche display to leave one in awe, an amazing orchestra, and a gorgeous, touching concert - in honor our dear Savior's birth, we all came home, as did the Wise Men of Old, "another way." Thanks to so many wonderful people working together to make this memorable evening happen.
Ellie, Tess and Luke all participated in the cutest, little Christmas program at school. It was so much fun to be able to sit in the audience and watch them and just relax and smile at the clever work of so many teachers.
Oh, Christmas Eve is always a night to look forward to for more reasons than Santa's visit! My kids don't even have to perform anymore, because their children are all so talented and able to put on our little, annual Christmas program. Sometimes there were two hands on the piano (Ellie, Tess and Luke all play), sometimes four (Ellie and Tess; Ellie and Luke; Ellie and Billie Jo; Billie Jo and Tess; Olivia and Luke); there were original songs made up by Ellie and Tess; a bell trio by Allen, Patrice and Evan; a song by Noah--with a little help from Eli; and Rob's yearly piano solo. What joy it is to have such a family!
It was Earl and Rob and I's very first Christmas in the history of our family, to spend Christmas morning by ourselves! It was very different, but the fun began as we visited each family to see what Santa brought! The Johnson's came Christmas night and we were able to all be together to open our gifts to each other. What fun!
The annual Bisel party came the next day with tubing, our journey to the cemetery and the family dinner. Again -- families are so special. I am so happy they are eternal and these relationships can go on and on and on and on and on.....
We celebrated Earl's birthday, our anniversary, and New Year's in St. George at the Johnson's with the Gunnersons, Johnsons, and the Rasheta's arriving just in time to bring in the New Year! Earl and I were able to go to the temple while there and experience the beauty of that temple. We had never attended there, so it was a special anniversary. I am so happy to be married to Earl, to have him as the father of our children, to see him as Grandpa with our grandchildren, and to continue trying to work toward our goals together. Life is pretty amazing and as I said in the beginning - the thoughts of "home" are tender.
Here's to the beginning of another year, which I hope will be filled with love, good memories, accomplishments, growth and adventure. I'm sure there will be some challenges, but that makes the rewards of this life even better!