Merry Christmas Letter 2009

Here is the Christmas letter....Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone! I wish to share our feelings for the past year. To begin with, as 2009 rolled into the play book with great adventure awaiting us all: Scott and I were able to be sealed together in the Bountiful Temple on April 2, 2009. This is a miracle that is eternally blessing the lives of all the Giauque Family. In January, we began the process and by March 27th the process of permission of having an eternal family was complete. The deal was SEALED on April 2, 2009. It was the faith of Stake President Manwaring, the faith of both Scott and myself, and the faith of the Prophet of the Lord President Monson. This was the first miracle of 2009.

At the end of March right before the wedding another miracle: our bedroom addition was complete and ready for us to move our things into. We now had a place of our own. The construction (THANKS DAD!) went smoothly, beautifully, and it is strong! We just love to have our alone time, think time, our movie time, and especially for Scott his music time there. It is another blessing!

In April another Miracle happened: we had a family vacation! Our trip to Southern California was all a blessing and a gift. The family was given time to bond and to connect. Our favorite time was playing games in the hotel room, laughing, and laughing! Kellis shared his humor with us all, Garrett shared his cute “voices” with us, Isaac giggled and giggled, Margaret Susanna was mesmerized by the ocean—if she could have become a mermaid that minute she would have. And Virginia filled our hearts with love because of her many, many hugs! She is her daddy’s girl!

In July we were able to enjoy birthdays, th 4th of July, a wonderful RIVER trip, and later in the month finding out that we were expecting our 6th baby. What a joyful blessing! The girls immediately wanted a girl, and Isaac immediately hoped it was a boy. Garrett just wanted the baby to not hurt me and Kellis was very logical about the whole announcement: “You know, I’ll be almost 12 when the baby comes.” We also enjoyed scout camp, going out on Grandpa Dale’s boat with the cousins, and swim, swim, swimming! We even braved a drive in movie! We are going to make that a tradition.

Aug and September met us with going back to school, teaching, and getting through the morning sickness…blah. The days were cooler (YEAH for Scott!), and we were able to enjoy the evenings playing baseball. We even found out the Garrett enjoys football. “get em! Did you see that, Scott? He just squished a big guy…whooaa.”

October met us with the H1N1, two birthdays, pneumonia, sinus infections, trips to the Insta-care, and the ER, and whatever else the old swine bug could throw at us. We washed and triple washed, wore masks, and stayed away from everyone as best we could. All hugs were foot hugs…and talking through the doors. Blah…not one to repeat!

November was enjoyed by great weather, improved health, and a wonderful birthday party for Great Grammy Annis. I felt such a moving Spirit to have the whole family there, to take pictures, and to say how much we loved her. But towards the end of the month, we lost a wonderful member of our family: Grammy Annis. She was 98. She pasted after Thanksgiving and was reunited with her hubby and dancing partner Grandpa Howard. Her legacy was celebrated by all the family, family ties were healed, and family connections were forged. It was the best Christmas gift that grammy could have ever given to all us. We love you!

Now as December descends upon us, we are filled with the love of the Savior. As a family we have been blessed to see the lights on temple square, enjoy going out to eat, watching all the children help out with every task possible (we all know who is making their naughty and nice list), and Scott and I getting very creative with our shopping and planning. We delivered the annual neighbors gifts with a Christmas Carol, and yummy treats. Scott and I have had time to go on a date or two, and we as a family have been preparing for the celebration of the Savior. Ahhh, Christmas. There is no other time like it on Earth. We pray that from our family to all of yours that you feel the blessing of peace, joy, and of giving. After all, Heavenly Father gave us his Son, Jesus Christ, to help us, heal us, and to bless us. From the Giauque’s to all of you, Merry Christmas! Let us all receive our King!