I Don't Want to Forget...

This Christmas season went by in a flash!  There were so many sweet moments that I don’t want to forget. I wish I had beautiful photographs to document them all, but honestly I’m not that skilled at capturing great moments.  

Even though I don’t have a picture, I don’t want to forget crawling across the parking lot of my apartment to get to my car because the wind was blowing so hard (55 mph, baby) and the parking lot was a sheet of ice.  

I don’t want to forget all the people that were praying Christmas Eve morning that the weather would cooperate long enough for me to get home.

I don’t want to forget the tear that trickled down my face on the airplane as I saw the Salt Lake temple and I realized I really made it home.

 I don’t want to forget that my dad picked me up from the airport in his 1988 Mazda blaring the 100 hours of Christmas on the radio.  

I don’t want to forget singing and dancing to “Last Christmas” with Camille and Cheyenne as we made Roulden.  

I don’t want to forget the way my mom’s voice cracked when she thanked God that our family could be together when praying over our Christmas Eve dinner.  

I don’t want to forget my dad reading the Christmas Story from the bible and the way we all curled up in our living room and sang Christmas carols.

I don’t want to forget the spontaneous Christmas Eve wrestling match that broke out between all six kids and dad when my mom stepped out of the room and the way my dad hopped back up on the couch and acted all innocent as soon as she re-appeared.

I don’t want to forget telling stories that made me laugh so hard I couldn’t breathe.

 I don’t want to forget that we had to wait until 7:31 to open presents, because 7:30 just wasn’t good enough.   

I don’t want to forget randomly bursting out into the “Do you want to build a snowman?” song.

I don’t want to forget the feeling of baby Maggie curled up in my arms.

I don’t want to forget the taste of coconut hot cocoa.

I don’t want to forget the spectacular lights of Temple Square.

I don’t want to forget that I actually finished a game of Mexican train.

I don’t want to forget waiting FOREVER to get a burger at Training Table, but being okay, because they have coloring pages.

I don’t want to forget the craziness of playing spoons and the bruises that now dot my arms.

I don’t want to forget all the familiar faces, well wishes, and hugs I found when visiting my old ward.

I don’t want to forget that it took multiple attempts to fit EVERYTHING back into my luggage.

I don’t want to forget the way my dad hugged me so tight,  I wasn’t sure he was gonna let go, and the way mom’s chin quivered and her eyes filled with tears when she said, “Come back soon” as they dropped me back off at the airport.

Yes, this was a Christmas I don’t want to forget.