Christmas is over

Been a long time since I have written on this site. I forget I need to keep up with things. We had a great time before Christmas as we went car shopping in the snow a good 4 - 6 inches of very wet snow infact. The Lawter's came and picked us up in the height of the storm and drove us over to the dealer so I could test getting in and out and how they fit the 6 footer of our family. As you can guess we easily turned the salespeoples heads in the showroom as Bethany wheeled me in. I guess lowman on the totem pole got us and he patiently took us around, wiping off the windows so we could see the details on the car.... Needless to say I was soaked by the time we got done. I found a great deal from my friend Steve in California and we drove down to San Diego to pick up our new 2005 Chevy Trailblazer.
The feeling of freedom is an amazing tonic for the homebound..... I could write a whole book on what it has been like the last two months and the areas of my life that have been affected. If it were not for my beautiful daughter I am sure I would be nuts now. She has made a difference in my life and I am truly grateful for her sacrifice.
Our Christmas was quiet and simple. We had wonderful gifts to open over the 12 days prior to Christmas from our Santa Sleighrider, bless their hearts for thinking of us an their generosity - it made a difference. We went and saw 'Marly & Me' and laughed and cried, what a cute movie.
I am doing better, just got released to stand up in my moonboot cast and start taking steps 'as tolerated' ....which means it hurts like you know what, but I step anyway. I am pretty sure the physical therapy is going to hurt more than anything, but it is so much better to be able to walk then not so no matter what - we are doing what is needed to get my life back....and that is exactly how it feels.

Secret Santa

So Saturday Night Mum and I are sitting home.
We had been watching Movies all Day.
We had watched Jurassic Park the night before and then when I woke and was cooking I put in Lost World and then Jurassic Park III, then we watched Get Smart and were watching Christmas Vacation.
We were both doing our own things, I was crocheting, mum was looking over house details, when she got a text from an unknown number.
it said "There are presents in your driveway, get some help to bring them in!" (I can't remember it exactly)
I blow it off as a spam text, thought that did not make much sense to me- just out of curiosity I peek out our front window to the driveway, and there was a plastic tub of presents! I do a double take, I then tell mum that I'm going to check it out- I walk out and sure enough the plastic tub is still there- I hadn't imagined it!

I stand for a moment a bit dumbfounded, and then proceed to pick up the presents- I falter- it was heavy! I look around surreptitiously I spot a white van on the corner- there is no one in it (or they were just ducking!) It is the only car parked on the street. I walk inside and present the presents to Mum- she's a bit shocked too. I go to look out the window again, the white van is gone. (;])
We look at the two presents on top of the plastic tub- they are addressed to us individually, with instructions "Open on Christmas" We look at the tub
An envelope is taped to it- with the words "Merry Christmas! To: Janine and Bethany- Open me First!"
The card inside says
"Presenting...
The 12 Days of Christmas.
On each day you will find a number and a small roll of paper.
The number indicated which day you open the gift.
On that day unroll the paper, read the prose,
then open your gift!
Begins today!
Merry Christmas!"


It was pretty cool.
We opened our first Present- It was a Yankee Candle, Red Apple Wreath, it smells amazing.
So we are really Excited!
I'll post pictures and the prose.
The presents are wrapped beautifully! and the little cards with the numbers & prose are equally exquisite.
Yesterday it was two scarfs (which was amusing because I was currently crocheting a scarf!) We wore them to church, and they kept us stylish and warm!
Today it was three Christmas books- which was wonderful because Mum and I had just been lamenting over the fact that our Christmas books are packed away in storage with all the commotion going on with our house.

Anyway we want to thank our secret Santa, it was a lovely surprise, and so nice- especially since getting around is harder than usual.
So

Thank You!!

Update

So, Mum is home now, she was released Nov 21.
and since then she's been in my care. (and Heavenly Fathers of course)
Let me tell you the first week and a bit- it was like having a baby.

we've had a lot of laughs.

Now she's progressed to a toddler. She can dress herself and do other things on her own.
It's been nice coming home from school and having her home. I just wish she didn't have to be in a wheelchair to do it.

We've had a lot of help from our ward- they've been amazing yet again.

Brother and Sister Henderson, brought us some coldstone last night. :]
amazing stuff something called afterdinner mint.
It was so sweet of them to think of us- and get us hooked too! (it's their favorite)

I keep meaning to post pictures I have some of Mum with the puppies from when she was in the hospital and pictures of all the flowers that were sent to her. Even the pictures from when my Deseret Book store closed!
Well I'll get to it after finals.
Oh yeah finals! yay.

Well I've got to go get mum up for church.
cheers everyone!
and Merry Christmas!