It's hard to imagine that almost a full year has passed since my last post.  It has been a crazy, wonderful, life-changing year, and I couldn't be happier to be where I am now.  I don't intend to catch you up tonight though.  In fact I really should be taking advantage of this down time to accomplish a few time-sensitive Christmas tasks, but exhaustion has set in, and so here I am.

I really just wanted to wish you all (if any of you still stop by to visit) a most wonderful, blessed Christmas.  Much love to you, and hopefully I'll be back again soon.  Merry Christmas!

 Photo added April 21, 2013

I've been wanting to share so many fun things with you but also trying to wait until I could get all of my December photos in order, and that's taking a while now that I have my first kindle.  Yes, Brian is a sweetheart and gave me my top choice, the Kindle Fire, for Christmas.  I don't deserve him! Anyway, I love it, and I've been spending a lot of time on it.  In fact, I was going to use it to share this post with you, but I had some troubles using blogger within Amazon Silk (Amazon's own browser, which I otherwise love, for the most part).

I downloaded this song a day or two ago and have been listening to it while playing with my new toy.  I just love it; it's no secret that I'm a big fan of JJ Heller, but I only recently discovered my love for this particular song.  It so beautifully describes that wonderful love I came to know when I became a mother.  It's so simple and so true, and I can't help but share. (If there is already music playing, scroll down to the music player at the bottom of the page and pause playback.)

When I hold you

in my arms, Love

Something changes

It's the strangest feeling

The things that used to matter

They don't matter to me

When I see you

And you're smiling

How my heart aches

So full it is about to break

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

When I hear you, and you're crying

It resonates, Dear

In a place I didn't know was there

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

Beautiful Baby

You're sweeter than strawberry pie

Just like the morning

Your smile brings the sunshine

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

- When I'm With You by JJ Heller

♥

I'm having trouble choosing what to share from this holiday season; it overflowed with excitement and wonder.  The gears were in motion by Thanksgiving and never seemed to slow after that.  Thomas entertained us with his first violin concert, annual school holiday chorus concert, a spelling bee, tae kwon do promotional exam and separate ceremony; he and Gabe participated in the church Christmas pageant, I brought the boys to New Hampshire for one Christmas celebration and we all hosted Brian's family at our own home for another, I filled orders, mailed Christmas cards, ordered presents, baked cookies, breads, and pies, made Christmas candy, wrapped, cleaned, decorated... and then pretty much fell over flat by the time Christmas hit.  Was it all worth it? Absolutely.  Would I do it all again? You betcha.  Could I pretend to tell you I wasn't exhausted and next to completely useless during the whole week between Christmas and New Years? Not a chance!

Even narrowing it down to a few special memories is challenging this time around, though a couple of obvious things do stand out; first of all, Brian's family traveled all the way from Wisconsin and New York City to be here with us, and that was a special treat.  Usually our Christmas is a pretty quiet one, and while there are good things that go along with that, we always miss our extended family. Also, my father came out for a visit in early December and spent some quality time with all of us.  All the things the boys do are always special.  I will remember, in particular, my first time seeing Thomas perform on violin, as well as he and Gabe dressed up like a wise man and a lamb on Christmas Eve.

Something else, though, has etched its beautiful photograph in my mind, and it's something of a different sort.  Amidst all the chaos (yes, good, fun, healthy CHAOS), God blessed me this year through two amazing women. We all belong to the same online group where we share and bond with other Christian women.  In their incredible thoughtfulness and selflessness, they sent me twelve days of Christmas gifts as a random act of kindness. I was quite simply blown away.  From the book to the notes, the verses, and of course, the gifts, I wish to thank them (you) both from the bottom of my heart.  You have touched me in a way that will bring joy to me every Christmas as long as I live, and many times in between.  I cannot fully put into words what your generosity means to me.  THANK YOU!  God is alive in you in the most touching way.  May you be blessed abundantly!

Since I can't seem to choose from the other photos, please feel free to browse my December uploads on flickr.  I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas, yourself. ♥