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Can you believe it?  She’s almost four! How did she get so big?! We converted Gracie’s toddler daybed into a full size big kids bed yesterday.  We spent most of the day finding the perfect mattress and box springs, then Chris did the conversions and we put on the new bedding.  She is ecstatic!  She slept so well last night and she loves her new room.  Everything is Princesses–her new table and chairs, the Princess Talking Kitchen, her toy organizer, wall decoations and calendar.  She loves it so much.  And she’s been wearing her Princess gowns the past few days.  She is such a girl!  LOL  I love it.

The Christmas Eve experience at Northview was amazing.  I can’t explain it all, but there was black lights, cool special effects, unique and heartfelt worship and Stomp-type trash can drumming to The Little Drummer Boy.  It was breathtaking.  Never in my life have I been in such a place that is so inspired by creativity, and makes me realize how creative our God is! It’s just a whole new experience when you think outside the box. I wondered how well Gracie would do, but she was surprisingly very attentive.  They handed out crayons and Christmas themed coloring sheets on clipboards for the kids who normally would have been in their classes (ages 3 to 5) Carson and his family were sitting across the aisle from us, so he and Gracie would occasionally make eyes at eachother or wave.  After the experience, they exchanged their pictures they colored!  Awwww!

My house looks like a tornado blew through it.  There are gifts and boxes and stuff everywhere.  Chris promised me he’d help me clean on Thursday.  The girls got every little thing their hearts desired, and even some things they didn’t know they wanted!  Gracie is currently practicing on her Strawberry Shortcake Dance Dance Revolution, giving me about 30 minutes alone for an update.  Gracie also got her “pony that walks in a walker” and her Princess Talking kitchen, some books, a Princess toy organizer, Princess comforter and sheets, and a Princess table with chairs, some super cute clothes from aunt Katie and Ma’s New York shopping adventures, Ken dolls for her Princesses to date, and a Jeep!  Trinity got a CD player, a froggy humidifier, a ton of cute clothes and toys and a warm snuggly bundler. Spoiled spoiled little girls!

We’re so fortunate to have such awesome family and friends. I spent time with almost all my relatives and Matthew being home was really great. I look forward to the two weeks we get to spend with him.  I’m so blessed to have Chris and my sweet girls, they are such a gift. 

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So we met my parents and Brooke at Pioneer Pies for breakfast today for the official Jenkins family Festivus (A festivus for the rest of us!) celebration.  (If you’re not a Seinfeld fan, just keep reading and ignore that first sentence)  Then my brother shows up, camera in hand to record my reaction!  I had no clue he was going to come home–apparently he lied to me and my mom about not getting his Christmas leave.  He has two weeks to spend with us!  Everyone else knew, but me and my mom were both crying.  He spent the night at Brookey’s house last night and will even be here until after my surgery.  This is already such a wonderful Christmas.  Thank you, Matthew!  What a wonderful surprise!

Trinity loves her Uncle Matthew!

I probably won’t update until after Christmas.  So you all go and be with your families and enjoy the Holidays together.  Really hug your kids tight and be thankful for your health and all the good things God did for you this year.  Merry Christmas!

I took the girls out to the mall for some last minute Christmas stuff.  I had to return a sweater and we are scrambling around for the “little” gifts like stocking stuffers and such.  I know I probably looked like an idiot, but I smiled the entire time!  Who cares how long I had to wait in line or if it’s crowded?  I’m alive! I’m celebrating Christmas with my dream: a wonderful, loving and handsome husband our sweet, beautiful little girls. Not to mention being surrounded by the best friends and extended family in the world.  We have felt so loved the past few months.  Cancer can’t bring me down when I feel so lucky to be me!

In other news, something that kinda brings me down is the fact that the US Army decided to deny my brother leave for Christmas.  He did get some time off after Christmas and before my surgery but I really was looking forward to spending Christmas day with him.  Last year he called from Iraq as we were all opening presents and it was a huge tear fest.  This year at least he’s back in the States. I’m grateful for that and I’m happy that we’ll get to see him at all.  Thankfully he’s got friends to spend Christmas with. (Matthew, I can’t wait to see you!)

We went to North Pole City on Monday night.  Santa came out and had story time with the children.  He read the story of Jesus’ birth.  I thought that was really cool. 

A few times we have taken Gracie to see the Christmas Wonderland at the Children’s Center in Bethany.  It’s really cool, you drive through and they have little scenes set up with lights and decorations, volunteers dressed up as gingerbread men, snowmen, and all kinds of different things.  There’s a living nativity there at the end.  Gracie thinks it’s really Jesus.  Jesus of Bethany.  

Gracie told me that Jesus’ last name is Price.  “How’d she come up with that?” you may ask.  “Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Price is born.”  Sigh.  My kid…

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Yesterday was the big “Incredible Christmas” party at Northview.  I know I’ve said it a million times before, but everything that church does is excellent. And the children’s ministry sure knows how to throw a party!  Gracie had a blast and Trinity got to eat about half of her first cookie.  She loved it (see slide show above) This morning, Santa came to the kids’ classes today at church–Gracie was soooo excited!  And tonight is another party, this time for the adults.  So we’re just living it up over here. Wooohoooo! I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas!