We made it through a difficult holiday season—my kids and I—without too many bumps or bruises. That alone feels like a quiet victory. More than anything, it was made possible by the incredible people God has placed in our lives: my parents, my siblings, Nancy, and dear friends who showed up in ways I won’t forget. They were truly angels on earth, helping us feel God’s love and steady support when we needed it most.
This Christmas was different, no doubt—but it was meaningful in its own way. As I’ve tried to navigate life with uncertainty, I’ve felt unusually close to the Spirit, and that is something I will carry with me long after the season has passed.
The month was filled with festive, joy-giving traditions— exactly what I needed. I even threw my hat back in the ring when it came to hosting and opening our home again. Anna and I loved having the Young Women’s Christmas karaoke and white-elephant party here, along with a very impromptu New Year’s Eve gathering before the official dances and parties began.
Our annual Christmas Bunco night at the Weddles was another highlight. My friends are truly the best cooks and bakers on earth—and even better company. So much so that it didn’t feel strange at all to attend without a husband and sit among five other couples. I love them, I know they love me, and somehow that made everything feel completely okay.
The ward Christmas party was also a joy. I helped in a small way by putting together the musical portion of the program, which ended up being a gift to me. It gave me the chance to study beautiful new Christmas music released this year and to gather youth and children at my home to rehearse together. It was just the right amount of service for someone carefully climbing back into the saddle.
We also loved attending the Walk Through Bethlehem—always a meaningful and beautiful night for the kids and me. We invited Grant’s new flame, Kaitlyn, and she enjoyed it as well. And of course, the Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without our annual trip to Orange County with Grandma to hear the Millennial Choir and Orchestra. As always, the program was incredible and one of the greatest highlights of the season.
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Enjoyed a small Christmas lunch with my Del Norte friends—not our usual larger group, but it was perfect and exactly what I needed. And although I had to push myself to attend alone, I ended up having a wonderful night making pasta with the therapists from Transcend Behavioral Health for our work holiday party, meeting new colleagues and their spouses. One even happens to be an actor on The Chosen—such a fun surprise!!
I truly don’t know how I would have managed the season without my mom, who flew down for a week to help me with the monumental task of buying, organizing, and wrapping all the Christmas gifts. She assisted with everything—Young Women gifts, neighbor and friend gifts, even seminary teacher gifts—and it made an enormous difference.
Beyond the logistics, we shared time together that really mattered. We made fondue and holiday treats, watched Christmas movies, worked on puzzles, and laughed a lot. One of the highlights was the Golden Girls Christmas Experience downtown—no surprise there, since I absolutely love The Golden Girls.
Having her here was a gift in every sense of the word. Having my parents and siblings stay with me at various times these past few months have helped in ways I can’t fully put into words, and I will always be grateful for the love, help, and steadiness my family and especially my mom brought into our home during such a tender season.
In addition to these visits, the kids and I spent a few days in Seattle before Christmas, soaking in the Stevens family traditions we love so much—gingerbread house competitions, Christmas Eve talent shows and a nativity, baking cookies, playing games, and plenty of cousin time.
One especially meaningful moment came when my family gathered me into a quiet room and surprised me with a large stocking filled with favorite things, thoughtfully chosen by each of my siblings and parents. It was an incredibly kind gesture. We ended the night with a big group hug—one of those simple moments that quietly reminds you how fortunate you are to belong to a family like this.
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We arrived back in town just in time for Christmas Eve. It was a quiet, low-key night—opening Grammy bags, ordering Pick Up Stix, watching Just Friends, and getting to bed very early after a long day of travel. Blake was able to spend some time with the kids as well, and they opened the gift of a summer trip with him to the Grand Cayman Islands. They were beyond excited.
On Christmas morning, we slept until 9:00 (a new record), then gathered around the tree to open all sorts of fun surprises. We stayed on a strict budget this year, which somehow made everything feel even more meaningful. We loved having Kenzie with us—she, of course, spoiled all of us with the most thoughtful gifts.
After a delicious breakfast of Swiss pie, Grandma and Stacy came to spend the day. Grandma brought a beautiful prime rib, and Stacy arrived with baked goods from a yummy bakery in L.A. We opened gifts and enjoyed a warm, relaxed afternoon together. Their willingness to drive down meant so much and made the day feel especially full.
Nancy surprised me with a dishwasher for Christmas—among many other thoughtful things. It was a huge and unexpected gift, and truly the gift that keeps on giving after years with a very sad appliance. She also nailed the ornaments again this year, as always.
It was a sweet day—being together, feeling grateful, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Keeping the kids busy this month:
Anna developed a new obsession with jam and sourdough bread—consumed as often as possible—sparked by a delicious homemade loaf from the Henrys. She spent nearly every waking moment with friends and, just as reliably, found her mother viscerally annoying at all times. She tagged along with Kenzie whenever possible—thrifting, dress shopping, Starbucks and Target runs, TikTok dances…you name it.
She attended the winter dance with a big group of friends, followed by an after-party at Megan’s, and rang in the New Year with her close-knit boy/girl friend group they’ve stayed connected with since sixth grade. She also made a new friend at school—Beau—which has been fun to watch unfold. This is never ever to be commented on, however, without tremendous consequence.
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Grant kicked off his soccer season with a bang. Coach started him in the very first varsity game—and then kept him in for the entire match. He scored the opening goal and played an outstanding game, with friends and neighbors there to cheer him on.
Unfortunately, midway through the game the goalkeeper landed on his knee during a rush. Grant finished the match on pure adrenaline, but later learned he had sprained his MCL. He’s been on crutches and in a knee brace since, though he’s feeling much better this week. With any luck, he’ll be back to his usual self as the season officially gets underway next week.
In addition to starting his first varsity game and landing his first girlfriend, Grant also had his first run-in with local police—after “trespassing” on military property while exploring with friends in search of an old abandoned mine. Thankfully, he wasn’t too rattled. It takes a bit more than a brush with the law to scare Grant, ha!!
Dane and Evelyn have both continued to quietly plug away at school, and I’m so proud of them. Evelyn has just one year left and is absolutely dreading returning in a matter of days. It’s been so good to have her home—though her visit took a frightening turn when she was hit by a car while crossing the street after line dancing. The driver fled the scene, which only added to the shock. She spent the evening in the ER with bruised knees and a mild concussion, and it’s taken weeks for her to steady herself both physically and emotionally after such an ordeal. We’ve done our best to surround her with comfort—Stranger Things binge nights, lots of food, rest, and time soaking up the California sun.
Dane has been navigating another difficult month, doing the best he can. He understands what helps bring small pockets of peace when his mood dips—sleep, good food, mindfulness, and time with people he loves (mostly Kenzie)—but following through can feel incredibly hard when you’re not feeling well. Still, he works at it, and I’m deeply proud of him and of all he’s learning through therapy and psychoeducation. I know this year has been, and will continue to be, challenging for him, but I trust that he will find his way through. My role is to support, love, and gently influence where I can.
It’s a delicate balance—one I’m still learning. My instinct is to rush in and fix everything, but I can’t. I’m grateful for his wonderful therapist (who also happens to be mine), who helps me better understand my role and how to care for the sweetest son a mother could ask for. And I pray that he won’t have to suffer indefinitely—that, in time, we’ll find steadier ground and clearer answers together.
If I had to sum up this year, my Apple Music Wrapped probably says it best. My most-played song of 2025 was Be Still, My Soul, performed by the Millennial Choir and Orchestra. I listened to it countless times—easily close to a hundred. That song became a quiet anchor for me, offering peace and a steady reminder that God was not distant, and that He had the power to carry me through some very heavy moments.
This year, I spent more time caring for myself and my children than caring for others. That isn’t my usual way—but it was what I needed. I’m grateful for the stillness, the slowing down, and the permission to tend to what mattered most. I plan to carry that posture into 2026 for as long as necessary, as I rebuild strength and stamina.
Life can be challenging, it can throw you some pretty crazy curve balls; but even still I feel deeply grateful.... for my beautiful children, family, and such a beautiful life. Here's to a happy new year!
