Richly Blessed

I have to admit that I am the type of person that can get lost in the details. I have spent so much energy buying, wrapping, checking lists, making menus, cleaning and organizing, decorating, cooking, etc. that I tend to lose perspective on the meaning of the holiday. Silly! I know better, but in the endless pursuit of creating the "perfect" environment for my family to create holiday memories, I deprive my family of me. The fun me is replaced by the stressed and harried me - which is MUCH less fun to spend time with.

This morning I awoke feeling different. The stress is minimal, not because overnight some elves came and took care of my to-do list for me, but it is just less. I have a renewed perspective. Today, I know that making that gingerbread house with Annalise that has been sitting on the counter for weeks is much more important to her than having her stocking stuffers wrapped. Making the holidays more memorable for my family has to do with our relationships and not the quality of my garland and light stringing abilities. I am thankful that I have this new perspective with a week left before Christmas - I will do a better job of giving my family something more meaningful than the fudge that is on my to-do list - I will give them back their mommy and wife (still neurotic and type-A, but much more fun than the task obsessed person I have been).

I know that I am richly blessed. Not because of the nicely wrapped packages under the tree, but because of so many other things that have never had a price tag on them.....a loving husband, precious children, amazing parents, a brother that would do anything for me, a charming sister-in-law on the way, family and friends that support me always, and most of all, a Lord and Savior that loves me always and fills even that darkest moments of my life with joy.

Merry Christmas everyone!




My wonderful husband. He loves me at my best and at my worst. I know I am supported and loved always. Thank you for our life and our beautiful family!



Trevor. The kiddo with a huge heart. And he makes me laugh almost every day. He's funny down to his soul.



Ian. My cuddly, snuggly, lovey boy. He always has a smile and is happy from the top of his birdman hair to the tips of his adorable toes. He melts my heart daily.



My Daddy. Tough as nails and incredibly soft hearted. The best kind of daddy and papa any kid or grandkid could have. He would sacrific anything and everything for us.



Greg and Madonna. Supportive and always available for a laugh. You guys light up a room and our lives.



Zach. Too cool at 16 to say anything mushy about....but, he is a great big brother and for some reason isn't embarrassed of me (not enough to avoid me in public anyway).



Nana. The bionic woman. An endless well of love. There really aren't words to adequately describe her....my angel on earth is as close as I can get.




Annalise. My independent and strong-willed bundle of love. She can make me laugh and cry within a 2-minute period. She introduced me to a new and powerful kind of love. The one person who single-handedly transformed me. She changed my heart into what I always wanted it to be, but could never figure out how to get there.


Enjoy the real blessings in your life this holiday season!
K

Yes, I know........

I dare not attempt to explain my lack of posts.

Just make a note of the fact that I'm writing this at 3:54 am on December 18th. This has been my life. I became soooo consumed in the holidays and the massive amounts of prep, planning, and work that goes into it that I simply missed fall. My very favorite season!!! I'll post pics of the pumpkin patch and jack-o-latern carving and trick or treating that took place.

We have some really fun things planned for the next week and I can't wait to catch you all up and post some pictures!

Love and missed you all!
K