Eventful Week; Christmas is Coming!!!

Chris and I had a pretty eventful week. Chris's dad had a heart attack so we flew straight home. I was freaking out about it. It was nice to come back to small town Shelley, Idaho for a little while. I didn't actually know about it at first. Chris received a call from his mom. He got off the phone with her and he told me that we were going home now. He told me what happened. So, I called my mom and she helped me pack because I didn't know how long we were going to be staying at the time. She told me to pack for five days. I was pretty set, and then Chris came home and he told me that we were staying for the week. I was really excited to go home, but I wished it wasn't for an emergency. Chris's dad is doing a lot better, which I'm so thankful for.

We spent most of the time with Chris's family. It was good to see everyone, despite the circumstances. Chris and I went Christmas shopping. My mom's family always spends Christmas Eve at her house and we do a little program with fun things. My Aunt Ernie (her name is Erin) does the "Top Ten" things that we've done throughout the year (one for the grandkids and one for the adults), we always participate in the Nativity, my Aunt Patti gives the grandkids gifts, and we exchange ornaments with the cousins. We usually pick an ornament that describes that cousin or reflects on something they were involved in throughout the year. It's so fun. I've gotten some pretty weird ornaments over the years, but I love it. One time, I got in a car wreck and it was my fault. I had no idea what to do so I drive home (Note to future drivers: NEVER EVER EVER do that!!!). After that all happened, at Christmas Eve, the cousin that had me gave me a car ornament with a pink flamingo driving it. My aunt said, "This is a funny little car for Delaney's funny little wreck." I've loved receiving those ornaments over the years and, in my opinion, that has been one of the greatest memories I've made.

I also love Christmastime because my sister, Heather, was born on Christmas Day. She's turning 14. She hates having her birthday on Christmas, but she's always the first thing I think about every Christmas morning. I still remember the day she was born. Kay and I had to stay at a neighbor's house for Christmas. I got a Barbie doll and a big bag of candy from my grandparents and Heather was born. Those are the only things I remember from that day. Oh and since Christmas Day is her birthday, she always picks our dinner. We've had chicken nuggets on Christmas before. Enough said. :) But, I still wouldn't have it any other way.

Christmas Mood!

So I woke up at 6 this morning since our church is at 8:30. I made sure my homework was done and I was all caught up. Then, I turned on Sounds of Sunday and Christmas music was playing. It totally got me in the mood! Now I have to get shopping, get a tree, and get decorations up, the whole Sha-Bang!!!!

This is the time where I miss our families. My mom would be playing Christmas music since the end of October. She already would have decorated for Christmas at the house, baked Christmas goodies, and bought all of her Christmas presents. I haven't even started! I don't even know what to get Chris. I'm not very good at being "Santa."

I'm going to miss doing Christmas with both of our families. My mom's family comes over to their house every Christmas Eve and we do a little Christmas Eve program. We exchange ornaments with the cousins (I've gotten some pretty weird ornaments over the years. Some of them aren't even Christmassy, but I love them!), our Gran gives us all pajamas, there's a lot of food, our Aunt Patti gives us gifts, me and my sisters usually sing, and all the grandkids participate in the Nativity. I also just learned being in Chris's family that they usually buy gifts for everyone, but when I came into the family, I texted Chris's mom, Denise, to see what they do, and I suggested that we draw names. So we drew names last year, and we actually drew names this year too. I think I started their own little tradition. It's kind of fun now that Cindy, Chris's sister, is married too. Their family is really growing. It'll also be new this year too since Jared, my favorite brother-in-law (I call him "Bro" and he calls me "Home Slice.") is on his mission and we are gone. I miss Jared like crazy! He just lights up a room.

My Daddy is in Town (for a little bit anyways)

I got to see my dad yesterday. He flew in here on business and is staying for a couple of days (I believe). My mom said he wanted to come see Chris and me. I'm so glad he did. He's staying at a hotel. If we had room, I'd have him stay with us, but our apartment is pretty small. Dad really liked the apartment. Since Chris was at work, Dad and I went out to lunch together. Then, he took Chris and me out to dinner that evening. I told him how school's been and he told me how everything was at home. I miss my family a lot. It was so good to see him. He made my day!!!

Update on my Schooling

The Pathway Program has been a lot of help to me. I have to work on my lessons online. There are 12 lessons. In those lessons, I have to do an Application Activity (it's like a worksheet online), a Teach a Friend (I have to teach someone I know what I've been learning. I usually teach Chris or my mom when Chris isn't home.), and I have to post my assignments on what they call a Discussion Board. So I have to post it on the Discussion Board by Wednesday and I have to respond to three of the other discussions posted on there by Saturday. I've learned a lot. It's been hard because sometimes I forget to post my assignment on time, but I've been getting better.

I had an assignment today about careers. I had to write down three careers that I am interested in and that I think I'd be very good at. I wrote down that I'd like to be a librarian in an elementary school (I used to volunteer at Riverview Elementary back home and it was one of the best jobs I've ever had.), a secretary, and an Occupational Therapist Assistant. I'm not sure what's in store for me, but I'm pretty excited about that last choice. I'm still learning about it, but it sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm very proud of what I've accomplished so far. It's been a long, hard ride, but I'm riding along with it. :)