Andy's Christmas Quilt

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Andy's Christmas Quilt

Well, now that Andy has opened it, I can tell you what it was we sent off to him the other day. I made him this quilt based around the Border Patrol green and yellow with some red fabrics thrown in. It has pictures of our family so that he can have us close to him while he is at the academy.

I actually bought the fabrics and started the quilt before he left, but put it on hold for his last few days here both so I could keep it a surprise, and so I could spend time with him. Then everything got so crazy once he left, I really didn't think it would get done in time.

But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted him to have it for Christmas. I worked hard - especially during nap/school time and after the boys went to bed. The whole time I pieced it I was debating if I would quilt it myself to get it done in time for Christmas, or if I would wait for Peggy to come home so that she could do the better quilting job I had envisioned for it. I was tempted by the idea of having it be 100% from me, and I really wanted to get it shipped off so it would get there for Christmas, but I also had some specific ideas of quilting that Peggy could do and I could not.

My eagerness for Andy to get it by Christmas won, and after it was pieced, I raced to Peggy's house, called her for a quick pep-talk (and some directions on what to do) and started the quilting. Thank goodness for Rebecca and all of her help with the boys who kept waking up while I was gone! Then there was the binding to finish. I was up until 1:00 AM getting as much done as I could, and then I woke up and immediately went to work. My visiting teacher came by and I had her hold Peter while we visited and I worked on the binding. When she left, I wasn't quite through, so Nick held Peter for those last few minutes and then it was done!

Ammon helped me wrap it, and I debated again whether or not to send it in time for Christmas. I knew it was going to be pricey. But I really really wanted him to have something nice on Christmas day, so I decided that I would be willing to spend up to $50 to get it there in time. The first thing they told me at the UPS store was the shipping to get it there in the 26th would be $15. To get it there on Christmas Eve would be $55. Wow. Big price difference and over what I had decided I would do. I debated AGAIN. But I still really wanted him to have it for Christmas. After buying the box and taxes and everthing, it cost over $65 to ship it. But I was so happy it was going to be there on time and excited for Christmas. My Christmas present was having him get his Christmas present on time.

Christmas Eve came and everything seemed to be on track. But then the tracking suddenly showed that it wouldn't be delivered until the 26th. I was so disapointed, but I guess, if nothing else, I would get my money back. So I called UPS. They explained that there was no way it would be delivered on time and that the problem was a weather delay so there would be no refund. Having worked at UPS before, I knew there was nothing I could do. I know that UPS does everything they can to get packages delivered by Christmas, but this one was last scanned at the hub 4 hours away from Andy and showing that it would not be there. I was already crying by the time I ended the call with UPS.

I bawled most of the day. Everything finally hit me - the absolute exhaustion from a week of no husband, no parents, staying up late working frantically and furiously on a binding job AND the quilt for Andy, the devestation of having Andy gone for 5 months, the genuine sadness of him missing the holidays, the realization that I didn't have any presents except for him to get the quilt, and now that wasn't going to happen, and to be honest, I think there was a dose of hormones that helped throw me over the emotional edge as well. I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed, and later that night I went into pure hysterics. I honestly don't think I have ever had such a complete meltdown of total hysterics as I did on Christmas Eve (and last summer I had my moments). I was a mess.

In the midst of all this emotional trauma a miracle happened. UPS delivered the package after all. Sadly the miracle was short-lived as the package got locked into a building. Andy worked hard running all over campus from building to building trying to track down his package. I don't think he really even cared so much as he knew that it was really important to me. He did everything he could, but was unable to get it until the 26th anyway.

Oh well, Christmas day was nice for both of us, and he loved the quilt when he opened it last night. I just don't think there has ever been a Christmas gift in my life that has ever involved so much blood, sweat and tears as this one.

3 comments:

AnonymousDecember 29, 2007 at 8:06 PM
I love my quilt so much! Thank you! It is the next best thing to having my family.
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UnknownDecember 30, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Jenny, it turned out so beautiful!! I'm sorry you had so much trama with finishing and getting it there!! I'm glad he got it at least, and obviously loves it! :)
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JennyDecember 30, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Thanks Kara, you're sweet!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.