Monday, December 8, 2008

The Holiday Season

Well, the holiday season is upon us, and just like most of you we are busy preparing for the many parties, travel, and likely weight gain! Although we live in a rather desolate area, and have yet to see accumulated snow on the ground, we too have been getting into the Christmas spirit. We have decked the halls of our little apartment with a beatiful tree (which takes up nearly a 1/3 of our living room), and have begun wrapping gifts in anticipation!
This year Christmas feels even more special than years past. At Thanksgiving I did a lot of thinking about my many blessings and the things I am most thankful for this year; first, and for most, John. Although we are going on our second year of marriage, this year has been full of drastic changes in our lives, and I feel as though we have grown so much closer, and much more understanding of one another. Being so far from our family and friends in the midwest, we have truly learned to rely on one another. Also, being so far away has made me more and more thankful for our family and friends back home. When you leave home, you know you will miss everyone, but until you have truly left, you can't imagine how hard it can really be.
Lastly, I am so thankful for the friends we have made here in West Wendover. Although, no one can replace our loved ones back home, I don't think we would have survived without each of these wonderful people, who have continuously supported us.
As I begin planning for our long trip back to South Dakota, Iowa, and our families, I often find myself holding back tears. I am so happy to be able to make the trip and spend some much needed time with each of our loved ones, and yet I am also sad, because I know how much it will remind me of the wonderful times we have when we are home, and how much I will miss it when we leave. This holiday season I feel blessed to have felt a new kind of love and appreciation for each and every one of our family and friends.