~ Christmas Time ~

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the cards. I love seeing how everyone has grown and changed, how the Lord has worked in their lives, and all the news from the last year. I love catching up with friends and sharing our lives together if only in a glimpse.

I want to wish all our family and friends a very Happy New Year and to say that we love you all very much, from our Parents, Sisters, Brothers, Nieces and Nephews, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, " Our Kids, "and all of our friends you are thought of daily. Thank you for all of your love and support. You are all our gifts from the Lord and we can never fully communicate how much each one of you means to us. We pray that this coming year the Lord will reveal Himself to you in ways that will grow your faith beyond what you can imagine, and that your lives will be full of His Joy, Peace, and Love. Know you are always in our hearts and prayers.

I have decided that this coming year I want to use my blog as a way to thank the different people in my life that have made such a difference. So for all my friends and family don't be surprised to find your name as one of my next headings.

We were just blessed with a visit from my family. It's been 9 months since I last saw my dad, sister, and brother, and 3 since mom's last visit, so it was a great way to spend the Christmas holiday, catching up.

As you can see from all the pictures we had a great time, from eating ribs at the river walk to taking in the shows at Sea World, it was a great time. We love you all and hope you have a wonderful New Year. To our families, we wish we were with you all tonight and know that our hearts are with you and our tummies as you eat all the snack food our family does so well.

Daddy, thanks for taking the pictures. Love you all!!!!!

~ Blessed ~

I have to admit that right now life is absolutely wonderful. Tim and I spent the day putting up Christmas lights. Actually Tim put up the lights while I ran back and forth to the stores exchanging all the lights I bought wrong. Eventually we got all the right ones and they are now up and beautiful. I love Christmas time in general, but tonight I am feeling especially happy and blessed. As I sit and write this my husband is in the living room writing a song, the cat is asleep on the bed after her 2 minutes of petting when she heard the computer clicks, and Maggie is asleep on my feet. Life can be so peaceful.

The other night Tim took me Christmas shopping which for him is a true act of love. He didn't complain or drift once while I wandered the isles not quite sure what I was looking for but knowing I would know it when I saw it. We finished half of my list which was wonderful since this year I am determined to get everything shipped on time and not at the last second like usual. What a blessing to be married to and loved by a such a Godly man.

Last night we took Maggie, who loves going for a ride, out and looked at the Christmas lights. That is one of my favorite Christmas activities. Daddy and Mom always used to take us out a few times during the season to view all the lights around town. We have finished each night watching our favorite Christmas movies. Tonight will be "It's a Wonderful Life."

As I go through these days of the holiday season remembering all the wonderful memories and traditions from my childhood and the new traditions and memories my husband and I are making, I am truly thankful for all the blessing God has brought into my life. The small ones and the big ones. The Bible tells us that " All good gifts come from above." Thank you Lord for your many gifts. I am truly blessed.