Counting blessings instead of sheep

I guess I just want vent. I'm not sure vent is the right word. Maybe share the some of the situations going on in my life right now. There is a lot going on in my life right now. I won't say everything that is going on, but some of the ones that I need to let out for me to deal with the ones that I won't. On Monday I get a call at work and find out Great Grandma Thacker has had a stroke. GG Thacker is in he early 70's if I remember right. Her personality is one of constantly moving nature. She is very stubborn. She is a very talented and caring woman who I care for dearly. Because of weather issues, and watching kids, and maybe a little fear of what I will fully come to realize when I do, I haven't been able to go see her yet. My husband and my kids have seen her, and she is doing better, but I hear that she is getting frustrated that she can't go home yet. At this moment I think of my own Grandma Miller and realize that the situation is similar on why she can't go to her home. These are two women that I know are very stubborn and strong willed and independent. I can only imagine the their feelings, because I know I am very much the same way. My heart breaks for them.
Last night my mom called to let me know that my Uncle Jerry passed away from a heart attack. Given I wasn't really close to him and I don't know as much as I should about him. The few memories I have of him were from the two times they came to Utah to visit, and the one time we went there for a missionary farewell for one his sons. I remember him driving me with Amanda to the distrubution center and explaining that it was hard to get lost in Salt Lake City because our roads were designed in a grid system, and them him turning down a road that didn't follow the system and getting a little lost, and him quietly saying that this was not the way the roads were originally designed. (I'm laughing right now looking back on this) I remember that he is how I first heard about Dune (for those of you who don't know what that is, it is a sci-fi book series and movie, which I have read and seen as an adult) I know he worked at a jail for a large part of his life. I also know that he at one point was trying to help take care of his mother for one reason or another. I know he had brown hair and glasses. I know that he will be missed a lot by his family.
Despite, or because of all of this I know that my life is extremely blessed. We've had secret helpers and some not so secret helpers with Christmas this year, which is comforting because I want my kids to have happy Christmas. My sons asthma has been in good control this last month, which is hard this time of year. I've pretty much eliminated the sippy cup in our house, which in turn has increased Brie's food consumption of healthier foods. Ali lost her front tooth on Tuesday or Wednesday after wiggling it for at least a half hour straight. She has been working on the other front tooth that is almost loose so that she can sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". I have gotten more snuggle time with every one of my kids this week than I have in a long time and I've relished it. If you ask what my favorite Christmas movie of all time it would be White Christmas. It's not just because its a fun movie to watch, but the basics behind it. I can't help but think of the song about counting blessings instead of sheep when you can't sleep. So today I have counted my blessings. I know there are so many more that I haven't counted or haven't even realized right now, regardless I am grateful.
For the few people who read my blog (mostly family) I wish you a Happy Christmas, one filled with the true meaning of Christmas.