Karley, Jonathan, Hannah and Maddie went to see Santa on December 21st at Northlake Mall. This was taken pre-Santa in the snow globe.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Remember Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow, Live Today
For the first time in my adult life (that I can remember), I'm not stressing out about the Christmas holiday. Traditionally I like Thanksgiving better. It's just more relaxed. But this year, I'm really enjoying the Christmas season. Perhaps it's because I started preparing early. At our house, Christmas was in full swing before the end of Thanksgiving weekend so there has been time for many magical moments. Karley has been dominating the up-keep of the advent calendar, much to Justin's dismay. I think he would like to touch it every now and again. Our 'Elf on a Shelf' has been moving about and reporting back to Santa for quite a while now, so that has been exciting. The tree was up and decorated early, the garland was hung and we have just been enjoying ourselves. What a blessing! Karley even visited Santa this year...twice. The first time was with her new cousin Bowman (so Bowman wouldn't be scared, of course...talk about the blind leading the blind) and the second time was with my sister's children.
As I look back, this has been a tough year in alot of ways. Our extended family has been through sickness and our immediate family has suffered through injuries. My children learned first hand about death as we lost our beloved 'Mawmaw'. I have had friends suffer through job loss, tramatic injury, cancer, etc. I even lost a boss turned co-worker that I had worked with for 12 years.
This has also been an exciting year. Andy and Justin learned alot about competition this year and about losing gracefully. We camped, we raced and we got hurt. But we made alot of memories and had a lot of fun. We made new friends. This year also brought us new family as we welcomed our niece, Bowman, to our world.
This has surely been a year we will never forget. It brought us more tears than we would have hoped, but it also brought us alot of laughter. As we celebrate the birth of Christ and begin to say goodbye to 2009, we remember. We remember the baby in the manger who went on to die on the cross. We remember that when we lift up prayers of thanksgiving or prayers of desperation, they are heard. We remember that when we say goodbye, it is not forever.
We are also thankful. We are thankful for those who have gone before us, and for the ways they changed our lives. We are thankful for those who were spared. We are thankful that, even though we sometimes suffer, we are never given more than we can handle. We are thankful for good friends and loving family, for food on our tables and a place to call home. We are thankful for a loving God who knows what we need, even when we do not.
As this year comes to an end, most of all we are hopeful. We are hopeful that 2010 will be a better year than the one before. We hope for peace and prosperity, for health and happiness. We hope that we can be content with what we are given. We hope for lots of hugs and laughter, for new memories and blessings from above.
As I think of the new year, I think of the reminder that hangs upon my family room wall...the one that captivates Karley as her little 8 yr old mind tries to process it's meaning.
As I look back, this has been a tough year in alot of ways. Our extended family has been through sickness and our immediate family has suffered through injuries. My children learned first hand about death as we lost our beloved 'Mawmaw'. I have had friends suffer through job loss, tramatic injury, cancer, etc. I even lost a boss turned co-worker that I had worked with for 12 years.
This has also been an exciting year. Andy and Justin learned alot about competition this year and about losing gracefully. We camped, we raced and we got hurt. But we made alot of memories and had a lot of fun. We made new friends. This year also brought us new family as we welcomed our niece, Bowman, to our world.
This has surely been a year we will never forget. It brought us more tears than we would have hoped, but it also brought us alot of laughter. As we celebrate the birth of Christ and begin to say goodbye to 2009, we remember. We remember the baby in the manger who went on to die on the cross. We remember that when we lift up prayers of thanksgiving or prayers of desperation, they are heard. We remember that when we say goodbye, it is not forever.
We are also thankful. We are thankful for those who have gone before us, and for the ways they changed our lives. We are thankful for those who were spared. We are thankful that, even though we sometimes suffer, we are never given more than we can handle. We are thankful for good friends and loving family, for food on our tables and a place to call home. We are thankful for a loving God who knows what we need, even when we do not.
As this year comes to an end, most of all we are hopeful. We are hopeful that 2010 will be a better year than the one before. We hope for peace and prosperity, for health and happiness. We hope that we can be content with what we are given. We hope for lots of hugs and laughter, for new memories and blessings from above.
As I think of the new year, I think of the reminder that hangs upon my family room wall...the one that captivates Karley as her little 8 yr old mind tries to process it's meaning.
"Remember Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow, Live Today"
As you begin a new year, may your memories bring you joy and your dreams bring you hope. But most of all remember to 'live' each day, for that's how new memories are made.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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