A Very Blessed Christmas Indeed

Wow! It's over, and we had a blast! Edgar asked Addie if she wanted Santa to come everyday and she said, "Yep"! She had a ball, not only with her new toys, but getting to be around family for the past week or so.

Next year she will fully understand the whole "Santa" concept and we won't have to wake her up. Edgar was very excited to wake her up exactly at 7am this year, and once she saw all of the toys in the living room, her morning grumpiness turned to, "WHOA......". Her favorite gift by far was her Barbie Big Wheels it was a close second to her toy purse, makeup and cell phone. I think Edgar was hoping she might have a little "tom-boy" in her, but there is no doubt that girl is all girlie girl. He better watch out!!!

It has been a wonderful few days. We are too thrilled that next year we will have another little one to bring to all of the festivities. Thankfully he or she will be old enough to actually enjoy it a little like Addie did her first Christmas. We look back on last year and are joyous to be in such a better place, and pray that next year will be even better. That's what it's all about anyway.........

What a wonderful world

I attended a funeral yesterday. It was for a family friend of ours who had cancer. Watching his daughter crumble made me realize how truly blessed I am. My own father has battled cancer, and it could have just as easily been him. As the priest said, "Cancer doesn't know who you are, but we do...."

There is so much that I constantly take for granted. As I sat there yesterday praying that I would never have to bury my husband or see Addie as broken as the young girl was, I realized how much in our daily lives we routinely do. Yet, in such a tragedy, that routine would change in a heartbeat. I am thankful for our dinners together around the table each night. I am thankful for how Addie likes to wake her daddy up on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I am thankful for hearing her little voice saying, "Elp Me" when she needs our assistance.

I am also thankful for the many friends and family that we have around us, who constantly bless us with their love. From those near by, to those far away, our family has always been blessed by love. During this season of thankfulness, I pray each and every one of you know of the impact you have made on our lives. Edgar and I could not have made it through the trails and tribulations of this past year without you all.

This new year we will celebrate bringing a new life into our family. As I sat yesterday in the funeral and felt the baby kicking, I thought of the sweetness of the beginning of life, as well as the bittersweetness of the end of life. Although this father of four will now be painfree and with his maker, there are so many lives grieving for his loss.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our loved ones - may you always know how much we love you and may you be as blessed as we are this upcoming year and all to come....