happiness floods in

Saturday brought life-changing, heartbreaking news to my extended family. And like many of life's "really awful things" it's not something I can discuss openly. As hard as it was to watch my mother die, at least I could talk, write and cry on your shoulder.

But I cried on my children's shoulders and my siblings and poor Erik's halfway across the country on a business trip. Darling Ben drove up from BYU just because I needed him. And through the tears and the phone calls we did all the Saturday things...

my sneezing, coughing babies chatting with the Playmobil fairies

and talking Dad's ear off (if you call Gabriel, plan on twenty minutes or so).

stacking cups

and crashing them down

finishing the wedding album for this gorgeous couple.

don't you just love them? Mike and Leah are the sweetest people.

Xander and Mary covering the table with paper, tape, crayons and clue as they crafted elves and paper chains-- "I can't practice my viola right now, Mom. Mary and I are getting along really well." They know this about me: I'll tolerate any mess, any lack of diligence when they are getting along beautifully.

this cute elf appeared above my desk

and admit it, you envy my new Christmas door wreath.

Bored with their own creations they began hauling Christmas boxes up from the basement leaving a joyful trail of tissue paper, styrofoam bits and melted candles.

yes, my children do live in their pajamas

Happiness bubbles up beneath my feet and trickles over my shoulders. I know I am profoundly blessed and I'll allow nothing, no one, to sabotage or dim my joyous gratitude.