Long Distance Christmas

 

We tried to include you in as much as we could for Christmas. We did our usual secret sibling night the Sunday before Christmas. It worked out great because it was also your PDay. We invited Sawyer over to join us and we played left, right center. 

Sawyer rolled for you and herself.  She lost all of your money right off the bat, ha! 

The game went on for a bit and Sawyer was the winner. 

After games we watched a video about Christ and had a little lesson and then we did the gift exchange. 

Wyatt had you.  Matt and Cody brought your present when they came to visit you. 

Wyatt picked out a flower tie that he thought you would like. 

You had Wyatt and you got him some cologne. You were both happy with your presents. 

After you all opened your presents we told Sawyer to take the phone and go into the other room where her present from you were waiting. Caitlyn got a vase and painted a SxJ on it and there was a note from you saying that she was going to get flowers once a month this year so hold on to this vase.  There was also a board that you can hang flowers on to dry them out and a calendar with pictures of the two of you.  The note told her that you guys would get through this year together and then it would almost be time for you to come home.  It was so sweet and she loved it! She said she cried. After that we gave Sawyer our present, but I didn't get a picture of it. She texted me later and said she couldn't stop crying when she got home because we made her feel so loved and special. 

You called at 8 AM Christmas morning.  I waited to wake the kids up so dad and I could talk to you for a bit. It was great to have that time without any distractions. You told us about your Christmas Eve and Christmas. 

At 8:30 AM we got the kids up and started opening presents. 

We took turns and put you in a spot where you could see everyone. 

You all took turns opening your presents.  I had the hardest time deciding what to get you. After the terrible experience mailing the credit cards to you I didn't dare send a package so I decided to go with Amazon France. I had Sawyer help me pick out things for you and then every time we talked, you would tell me that you don't need anything and you are running out of room so I would delete things from the cart. 

I was excited to get you this vest, Sawyer and I thought you would like that. When I finally ordered the stuff I got a message saying your vest would arrive in June, so I had to scramble and find a different one that could get there fast.  The vest ended up arriving in a see-through package so you saw it before Christmas. 

I know you are really missing goldfish crackers and you mentioned you were missing poptarts, so I found some of those on Amazon, they were expensive, but I figured it would be fun and then you wouldn't have to worry about space.  When I checked out it told me that I couldn't send those to a locker, which was how you were picking up your packages.  I had already missed the chance to send them to the mission home, so I was disappointed about that. 

You were such a good sport about all of it and told me you didn't need anything and you were excited with what we sent you.

You said you needed new, thick dress socks so I found some of those. 

You had fun watching everyone open their presents. 

You have been freezing this winter.  You said the winters in France and so cold, especially with the humidity. 

So I got you some thermals that you can where under your clothes. 

You told me that you wished you would have packed some long sleeve t-shirts so I sent you a couple of those. 

It was so hard to have you gone for Christmas, we missed you so much! I am grateful that you could be here virtually with us. 

Grandpa came over to eat eggs benedict on Christmas afternoon so you called back so you could talk to him. I was glad you guys got a chance to talk. 

Alexys came over too so you also got to talk to her. 

You wore your new vest and shirt on PDay so you sent me a picture.  You have slowed down a lot on pictures so I'm constantly asking for them.  You have sacrificed a lot to serve a mission and we are sure proud of you. I'm so impressed with your willingness to serve and sacrifice for your Savior. I know He is grateful for your sacrifice and you are building a bond with Him that will be such a blessing in your life.