What Happened to December?

Before I knew it January has come, and I look back and ask myself, "What happened to December?"


Spencer's recovery from his minor surgery was phenomenal! Not once did he fuss or even act like he had work done. I never even had to give him any pain medicine because he didn't cry or anything. He amazes me. Tanner uses him as a step, or a punching bag when we're not looking, and Spencer just laughs or moves out of the way. Such a smiley, happy-go-lucky little boy. Love him!

My grandma Smith took a fall the first part of December and decided that she was ready to have her last Christmas wish fulfilled - to be reunited with my grandpa after 4 years of being alone. The Friday before Christmas, she died at her home in Ohio. My mom, dad, sister and I left early in the morning the day after Christmas to go to the funeral. It was a lovely service. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have that we will be able to live again one day with my grandma and grandpa when we leave this world. I'm grateful for the opportunity they'll have to learn about the gospel and when we see them again, we'll be together forever. I know my family is forever, and it really puts the love I have for all my family, immediate and extended, at the forefront of everything I do.

Christmas was so much fun this year. Tanner was old enough to realize that ripping off wrapping paper was tons of fun, and getting, literally, tons of toys was the best ever! Spencer had a great time eating wrapping paper. Being close to both sets of grandparents, Christmas is very busy for us. We spent the early morning with Nick's family opening presents. Then, after a nap for Spencer, we opened presents with my family. We had a mid-afternoon dinner with my family, then took off back to Nick's. All his family was home for Christmas and we decided it was a good time to take a family photo. We stayed and played at Nick's parents for a while, then came back home to my parents to unwind after our busy day. I've never seen Tanner so wound up and excited before. He had so much fun! It's great being a parent and watch the excitement from your kids.

During my 3-day trip to Ohio for grandma's funeral, Nick had the boys with him all weekend. A lot of Nick's aunts and uncles came down for the annual Surdukowski after-Christmas get together. They had fun at the park and opening more Christmas presents. I was disappointed I couldn't be there, but I'm glad that they stayed home with daddy and had a good time. Nick said Tanner loved the swings and couldn't get enough of the slide. He's such a boy, loves to always be moving!

Spencer decided he had enough of scooting around on the floor and got himself up to start crawling. He's getting so big and developing a lot faster than Tanner did. It's been fun to watch him. He's good at crawling now, and chases after Tanner sometimes. He always has to be in the middle of what's going on. He's even starting to pull himself up to the bottom step in the family room (there are two coming from the kitchen into the family room). He crawled ontop of a box yesterday and fell off. Both my boys, they're quite the climbers and nothing scares them.

We had a good New Year's Eve party here at my parent's. My aunt and uncle and one of my cousins were here. Kevin and Patty came down. We had a good night of lots of fabulous food and playing the Nintendo Wii that Nick got for Christmas.

Now that the new year has come, I've made a few goals for both me and my family. I plan to attend the Temple at least once this year, but plan to go more often. I plan to do more outside with the boys. I plan to do more things with my husband that involves more than just sitting around the house after he gets home from work. And a whole host of other things. This is going to be a fabulous year.