Hepworth Family Christmas Party 2012

Last night was the annual Hepworth family Christmas party.  We weren't sure if I would feel good enough to go this year but luckily I felt pretty good on Sunday so we went. It was great fun.

Every year we have a dinner, sing Christmas songs, have the kids do a nativity, and do a white elephant gift exchange.

Everyone is getting ready to sing and do the Nativity.

 There were only 3 kids under the age of 10 that came to the party so Stephen generously became a Shepard.

 Will portrayed Joseph. I love how his hand is resting on Mary (my cousin, Lesley's, little girl, Olivia). My cousin Megan is the donkey.

 This is ninja Joseph.

 Ninja Joseph is watching out for Mary and the donkey.

 Joseph decided the Shepard needed some re-dressing.

 Singing Christmas songs.

 Little Olivia was Mary until the bitter end. She sure is cute!

 My brother, Ammon, and his wife, Monica, just moved back to Utah from Connecticut. Will is SO excited!

 Before the White Elephant the kids each opened a present. Will got a coloring book and some crayons.

 This is my grandmother, known as Grandma-Great at our house. Her birthday is the 24th of December so we always celebrate it at the party. She is incredible, she has over 35 grandchildren and over 20 great grandchildren, she doesn't look old enough does she?

 This year Stephen and I came home with a giant blue crayon piggy bank and some helicopter toys from the white elephant. Will LOVES the giant crayon. he calls it his "big colour" (he says color like that). He carries it around like a spear, it's pretty awesome. The helicopter didn't make it past today, Stephen broke it but it was fun while it lasted.

It was so nice to see a lot of my extended family and have some fun.

Success!

Can I just say how glad I am that it is Saturday! Friday is over and I made it out of surgery..SUCCESS! 

I am actually not feeling too bad. If I don't move my head too much, I can almost forget I had surgery, almost. I definitely feel much better then I did when I had hernia surgery in April.

I am now one giant lymph-node down and have an awesome new scar on my neck.

I am More Then a Little Scared...

I don't know if you read but in a previous post I mentioned that I am having surgery on Friday. I have never been more nervous about anything in my entire life. I am not sure why though, I've had major surgery before, many times in fact, but for some reason this surgery seems scary.

Maybe it's the threat of cancer. Maybe it's because I've lost some friends lately that makes death seem more real. I'm not sure. I am terrified that I won't be around to help raise Will, to give him kisses and tell him how amazing he is and how he can do anything. I am afraid that others can't love him the way I do. I know that is ridiculous. I know that I have amazing people around me that would take care of Will. I know that I have an amazing husband who would tell Will how crazy his mommy was, how she would spontaneously dance around the house and that she loved to play with dolls. I know that Stephen would raise Will to be the man I know he can be. I just am afraid I'll miss it.

I know that I need to get rid of this lump in my neck, I know that I'll be fine and that the surgery will go well. Luckily the Lord has promised me that. 

I am PMS-ing, I have hormones flying EVERYWHERE. I just can't wait for Saturday. 

Day 29

Stephen: I am grateful for siblings. I have learned so much from my brother and sisters. I don't know what I would be without them.

Sian: I am grateful that there are so many amazing crafts I can do with Will to incite his creativity. I am grateful to have learned the importance of creativity and imagination at a young age so that I could pass it on to my son. I am also grateful that today I had enough energy to do said crafts with Will.

Day 28

Stephen: I am grateful for the power of prayer. Our Heavenly Father is always turned towards us ad when we turn towards him it brings incredible power.

Sian: I am grateful for good doctors. Not all doctors are created equal and I've had some horrible ones in my time but right now I am surrounded by the best doctors I've ever had. I am so grateful that they actually care about me and want me to get better.

Next Friday I am having surgery on my throat. I have a lymph node that has been swollen for over 2 years. My doctors are 98% positive I do not have cancer, which is really reassuring, but they want to be 100% sure. The stupid thing also hurts so that's enough reason to get rid of it.

I am pretty scared but I know it has to be done and if by slim chance it is cancer I would rather know now when it's small. I could really use some prayers, or even some warm fuzzy thoughts if you don't pray.

Day 27

Stephen: I am grateful for music. Music has amazing powers. It can get us excited, it can sooth us, it can bring in the spirit, and nothing can transport you back to old memories better.

Sian: I am grateful for brothers. I am glad that I knew what boys were like before I married one. I am grateful for the things they have taught me and the examples they are to my son of what good men should be.

Day 26

Stephen: I am grateful for teachers. Where would we be without people who are willing to take the time to impart on us all that they have taken the time and effort to learn themselves? Anybody can be a teacher, but the most important teachers are the parents of the world.

Sian: I am grateful for my sisters. I am grateful to have friends who I can count on and who love me no matter how crazy I am.