~ 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.

~ Super Woman ~

With today being her special day I thought I would take a few moments to share with you a woman who most in our family refer to as Superwoman. Our very own Auntie Connie.

Auntie Connie has always been the kind of aunt who makes you want to be better, who makes sure you know you are loved, and is always there. Whether it's watching you walk down a church in a huge pink book costume, cleaning your bedroom because it is messier than the city dump, doing your hair and make up for what ever special day you may be having, listening with care to the life of a teenager who needs a few words of advice, taking off an entire day of work to make sure your wedding day is special, or any one of the many other ways she shows her love, there is only one word for it : Blessing.

Auntie Connie is a woman, who even though she may be tough on herself, makes everyone around her feel safe, enough, loved, and better. She is as beautiful on the inside as on the outside, truly a "woman after God's own heart." I know I gravitate toward her simply because she leaves you feeling happy and loved. She also happens to be one of the most talented women around. I have yet to see her try her hand at something and not be absolutely great at it. She is one of the people who make our family complete and I want her to know that she has been a special blessing in my life and I am so grateful for her and thankful for a future with her in it.

I hope that my own nieces and nephews get to feel the love and acceptance that you have always shown me. After all, you are one of the ones that taught me how to be an aunt and I can't think of a better mentor. I know Uncle Joe was blessed the day he found you and we were blessed the day he brought you into our family. I love you Auntie Connie, have a special birthday filled with wonderful memories to treasure.