December started off…hmmm. I’m not sure. Seems like I went to sleep after Thanksgiving dinner and woke up mid month. I do remember having the wonderful opportunity of chaperoning Gypsy and the Snow Canyon Madrigals/performance choir to Salt Lake City. They had about 11 different performances in 2 days, starting at the State Capital Building and ending on Temple Square in the Assembly Hall. I admit I went reluctantly. I didn’t want to go because I felt I was too busy. I hadn’t even started with the Gunlock Pageant; not a gift had been made or purchased. I had something scheduled every night and I was scheduled to work every day. When Gypsy asked me to go I could see in her eyes how important it was to her. (She denies this fact, but she did tell me it would be the best Christmas present I could give her.) I don’t remember the last time I was so torn. I even cried to Shanna who quickly put it all into perspective for me, “Kim, she is 18 years old. How many more opportunities are you going to have to do this kind of thing? Do you not realize how lucky you are that she even wants to spend time with you?” I actually sat in the van and cried when we hung up because I knew she was right. I didn’t cry because I didn’t want to go, I cried because I realized what a precious opportunity it was. I was ashamed that I ever considered not going. 
As I try to organize my thoughts about the trip to put down, I realize I can’t do it justice. I choke up just thinking about it. These kids were amazing-both in voice and in spirit. Everywhere we went there was some sort of little “moment”…maybe not for everyone, but certainly for me. I should have kept my journal with me constantly. I could have written about the little boy at Primary Children’s Hospital who was just being released after having a brain tumor removed. Or the woman from Ivins who was at Church Office Building. She is serving a mission in the Family History Center and was there hoping to catch a glimpse of anyone she might have known from home. Or when upon completing their performance at the Assembly Hall, the gentleman in charge abruptly demanded to know who’s parent had a camera. (This was after, prior to the performance, he explained why no photographs were allowed to bed taken in the building). As the kids filed off the stand he then whispered to Mr. Reimer, “I have probably heard 100 different choirs so far this season, and I have NEVER heard anything like that!”
And no one will forget when Sister Dalton, the president of the YW’s organization hugged each one as she looked in their eyes and spoke to them individually. (Even the boys waited anxiously for their minute to visit with her.) It was the high point of the season for me… the perfect way to start Christmas.Ten days before Christmas, still no presents had been purchased. Not for the kids, any extended family or for the annual Gunlock Christmas Eve program. I think I had canceled and rescheduled the shopping for the program at least 3 times. I did at this point have the day scheduled to get Santa’s Gunlock shopping done. Buying toys for 65 kids with a blank check from Santa himself….it just doesn’t get better than that! But it did!!!! The most wonderful snow storm came swooping in with a vengeance. It has been years since we had snow this close to Christmas. All morning people would come into Dutchman’s, moaning and groaning about the weather. I drove people crazy with my giggles and smiles. Someone even growled and told me to go back where I came from. When it came time to leave work and begin shopping I couldn’t have been happier. Alesi Taylor & Sara Laub met me at Walmart. Let the party begin!!! In less than an hour and a half we had the majority of shopping done. No stress, just Christmas carols all the way. Believe it or not, my favorite part of the night was driving home in white-out conditions, at about 5 miles an hour. What normally takes me 25 minutes took 2 ½ hours. I sang at the top of my lungs the entire way.
It snowed all night. We were stuck in Gunlock for most of the next day. The school bus couldn’t leave. I couldn’t make it to work. We took the day to get the house straightened & cleaned. When the kids were in bed, the decorations went up. Speaking of decorations….I don’t think I have ever enjoyed putting out my things near as much. Every item that came out of the box was a little trip down 
memory lane. Every seasonal item I own has been a gift from someone I love or something I made. My favorites? Definitely the reindeer Mindy gave me years ago. It was handmade, tea-dyed with twig antlers and wearing a red tutu. Odean hates it. He thinks it looks like a jack rabbit that has been run-over by a truck…notice the bulging eyes. I love it so much that it stays out until after Valentines Day. (With all the red, I feel it is justified.) I also love my 
nesting snowman boxes. Years ago we came home from FHE at a friend’s home to find these 10 nesting boxes filled with gifts at our door. We were financially struggling and not sure if we would be able to pay our usual monthly expenses, let alone a bill from Santa. The kids were so excited! I remember what was in each and every box. Not very long ago, probably within the last 6 months, I found out who left those boxes. (To my knowledge, they don’t know I know.) It makes me love the boxes even more. Then there are all my Santas. I never consciously planned on collecting them but I have accumulated quite a few. I have a couple
given to me by my sister Tami, many from my mom-gotta love The Santa & Reindeer Tango. Then there is my Santa painting the toy fire truck, given to me by my late Grandma Felt. And although I know Grandma gave the same Santa to many (if not all) of her married grandkids, I feel as if she picked it out just for me. I could go on and on listing each and every decoration with the memories that come rushing forth. While I was taking out each item, it dawned on me that the decorating that takes place at around the holidays isn’t really about just making the house look festive…at least not for me it isn’t. It is about surrounding myself with memories of those I love whom I don’t get to see or share the holiday with. It makes me a little sad that it is time for it all to be put away. I’m just not ready to say goodbye to all the memories for another year, but having it all out just represents one more thing that needs to be done.
