Our ward had a combined third hour on FamilySearch. We were invited to bring our “devices” and the teachers bore testimony of family history work as they walked us through some of the new (and super easy!) aspects of FamilySearch. As usual, we didn’t hear the majority of what anyone said—but we left full of energy and excitement. There’s so much to learn about our family! If you go to FamilySearch now, log in, and click on “People” or “Photos” or “Stories” you can access the things family members (near, distant, and otherwise) have loaded. When I clicked on “Photos” I found 95 that I’ve never seen before. Some of the people I knew. Some I had no idea; but they have another tab that’s basically “How am I related?” that shows you where you connect to that person. We’re buzzed. Alas, no documents are uploaded on my side. I guess I now know why I have the writing itch. Work to do!

Wesley and I have talked extensively about making our home more visually Christ-centered. For Christmas, he gave me a beautiful picture of the Savior. We debated between a few (“O Jerusalem” is a favorite) but settled on a Greg Olsen profile. On Monday we asked our favorite babysitter to watch the boys while Wes and I went on a date to choose a frame and finish stashing up the boys’ stockings. The final product looks quite regal. We’re going to hang it up right above the piano so it will be the first thing anyone sees walking into the house or the living room. Perfect gift. We enjoyed the shopping quite a bit, too. We even held hands! We have all thoroughly enjoyed relaxing together without anything scheduled this week. Having Wesley around makes any day feel like a vacation and huge holiday. So many reasons to rejoice! All encompassed in one man! Wow. My life really rocks. I didn’t realize how much I’ve entered “survival mode,” how much I’ve missed him as he’s worked extra and travelled, until we had this week to slow down a little. And I’m grateful for every minute we have together. And for the minutes that won’t be measured in the eternities.

One of the best parts of our week (and of Christmas) was giving Christmas presents to another family. We found stocking stuffers, candy, necessary items (like socks, etc.) and fun stuff (like toy ships and sleeping bags). We’ve worked with this family a lot in various ways; we’re all filled with love for them. The boys picked out the majority of their gifts. When we found out that the ward couldn’t supplement their Christmas (as originally planned) the boys went through their books, toys, and candy choosing more to give to them. What a perfect way to celebrate Christmas and our Savior who taught us to give our all.

We asked the boys how else we could celebrate Christ and share His love. Levi suggested we bring dinner “to the man in the orange sweatshirt.” He is homeless and stands on a road we often drive by. He probably wishes we’d stop giving him granola bars. Lincoln agreed with Levi’s idea. So on Christmas Eve we loaded up with chili and cinnamon rolls, the boys full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately (for us), it was late in the afternoon and he couldn’t take it because he had too much to carry. We’ll just have to bring him dinner in a few weeks.

 At the Alamo and Riverwalk

We planned on—and invited—people for Christmas Eve and Christmas, but none of it worked out. Forgive me for being okay with just our little crew this year. We concluded Christmas Eve with an enactment of the Nativity, hymn singing, and some “Claymation Christmas” songs. Keller woke first on Christmas. We began opening gifts at 7:15 a.m. and enjoyed the whole process, playing and talking and eating and hiking—that we didn’t open our last presents until 6:30 p.m. No rush. They love the castles and castle-guys even more than anticipated. They love their foam swords. Lincoln held his up proudly, “I will fight in the name of the Lord!” (I don’t know where he got that one…) We loved skyping with our family, singing songs, being out in nature. Basically, a perfect day.

Aunt Jeannine shared a beautiful copy of St. Joseph Musser family history. Come over and we’ll share. It’s totally amazing. Such a gift! I love her.

Thursday we continued the celebration by going to the temple. While one of us was in the temple the other took the boys to a church parking lot so they could ride their new scooters. After our rotation there (which was the best part of the day), we drove a bit south to see the Alamo. Totally crowded. We didn’t go inside because the line wrapped around the building. Leaving, the boys looked back to say, “But I want to know more about how they died!” and “I need to see the guns and swords!” We walked a few blocks to the Riverwalk which is a cobblestone path on either side of the river with shops, restaurants, etc. A big San Antonio thing. Levi drank a full water bottle between the temple and the Alamo, so he and Wes went in search for a restroom; thankfully a restaurant took pity on them. The sun never came out, humidity high, yet the boys loved it. They loved seeing the tour boats up and down the river. They loved going over and under the bridges. They loved the people. Count it as a success! We even made it back to the van just seconds before it rained. Another success! I’m afraid my mood matched the gloomy sky a bit (next time I’ll loosen up and do more research to prepare us for the trip!) Lincoln left saying, “I wanted to go to McDonald’s, too!” As we drove, Levi didn’t tell us he needed to go potty because he wanted to use it at home. At home, he took a bath and I scrubbed his booster and the entire back seat of the van. Good grief. Might as well laugh.  The van doesn’t smell like urine. So. Success!

Our friends came over that night to play “Castles of Burgundy”—an awesome game I bought Wesley for Christmas. Since no one had played before, we took a while figuring it out. They left after midnight, but we’re ready for another round. It’s just not the holidays without some good games.

Friday, because I’m an eager little Grinch, we put all of Christmas away. Except the music. The house returns to normal. I wish I could be sad; I just really needed to put it all away and clean the house. I struggled this season for a few reasons. The destruction of [everything: place specifics here (like the 16 ornaments now trashed…)] discouraged me. But really we were Christ-centered and felt the magical growth of faith and joy. My issue centered mostly on how much I love Austin and the good people here and how this is the last time to celebrate with them. A sane, balanced person would take this opportunity to fully embrace the time and the people. As I am not sane or balanced, I wanted to hole up and cry. I really just love this place, with its crazy temperature changes, great libraries, awesome parks, and most of all our glorious friends. I will always think of Austin tenderly with the extensive growth we’ve experienced as individuals and a family. I like change. I like adventure. Yet I sure love it here. It’s easier to face our new life in a rush of excitement and action rather than slowing down. How can you ever take “treats” to all of the people who have impacted you in so many miraculous ways? I am full of gratitude and awe. Anyway. The great relief of my week was re-centering by making family goals for 2014. What an emotional dork.

On the angels of Texas, our sweet neighbors noticed that Levi has a big-wheel bike but not Lincoln. They gave him a matching, smaller version of Levi’s bike. All three boys were so excited about this. With good reason. What generous, thoughtful people surround us.

Saturday we helped at an Eagle Project. The boys stood in wonder at the skill saws and other power tools, then biked off to the nearby park. Glory days. That afternoon they played (yes, in shorts) in the enormous leaf pile in the backyard for over two hours. More glory days; Wes and I finished the budget plan while they jumped.

Keller is sick, again (still?). We’re taking him to the doctor tomorrow. He’s been waking up every 90 minutes (when we’re lucky) and not napping, eating, or living too well. His balance is off so he’s more banged up and frustrated. Poor little guy. He hates being slowed down, a toddler, and inhibited in any way. He’s more affectionate than ever these days, running up to us to cling to our legs and kiss us. Or wrestling with Lincoln. Or jumping on Levi’s bed. We got him a little pen-shaped flashlight for Christmas thinking he’d love it. Alas. It doesn’t write; it’s not a pen. He drew during sacrament meeting for the first ten minutes. I admit this melts my little writer’s heart.

Pilot Lincoln handed me a ticket he’d made out of a post-it, “Here’s your ticket to Colorado where I live. Come visit.” Levi taught everyone to turn off the lights then use their flashlights to find their way around. One morning they stayed in their room an extra half-hour telling stories by flashlight. Oh, blessed brotherhood.