In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to each one of you and your families. May you have a blessed and joyful Christmas that is full of love and laughter. May your time with your loved ones be a time of relaxation and fun. Each one of you have touched my life in some way this year and made my life more rich...it has been a gift to me...and I thank you...for making me smile and laugh...for broadening my world with your views and opinions...for making me think outside the box...for taking the time to stop by my place here and leaving comments that brighten my days.

I have much to be thankful this Christmas...most of all I am thankful for the birth of Jesus and for the rebel that He was...that He loves the rebel in me.


I have so many blessings, that are too many to count. Highest on my list of blessings is my husband, who continues to rock my world.

Next is my five children, whom are fully and completely gifts to me and have forever imprinted my life with each of their individual greatness and made me the mom I grew up to be today. As much as my step daughter has brought challenges to my life, I continue to be thankful for her.

Next is my five grandchildren, who have brought such joy to my life with their sweetness, from the very beginning. I was blessed to be present for 3 of their births and I cried tears of joy, for each one. Now that we are raising 2 of them, my life is that much more blessed and full of more love then I ever could imagine.

Three of my children and and my oldest granddaughter, live too far to be here with us today. They are each here with us in our hearts and are sadly missed. My Christmas does not feel complete without them here...it feels like something is missing. It is hard to believe that I can feel so joyful and yet have my heart ache, all at the same time.

To my youngest child...This is my first Christmas without you and although it is hard, knowing that you are happy right where you are at, makes me happy too. I know that you are doing a lot of Christmas celebrating and that makes my heart very glad. I know that you are happy to be back there, away from the cold and snow.

To my middle child and her significant other...I should be used to not having you here but I don't think mothers ever grow used to having their children gone...at least I don't. Knowing that you both are doing what you want to do with your lives and that you're happy means the world to me. I picture you two snow boarding and snow shoeing up in the mountains and it makes me smile. I know you have to work through these holidays but I know the lives you touch with your job and that you do it well...and that makes me so proud of you both.

To my eldest daughter, new "son" and granddaughter...I am picturing you having your first Christmas together as husband and wife...and as a new family and this fills my heart with such gladness and happiness. I should be used to not spending Christmas with you but I'm not. I know you are where you are suppose to be and that you have made a wonderful life for yourselves...this means the world to me.


May your Christmas be the best it can be...full of peace, joy and love. Please know you are here in our hearts and that each of us miss you. I am sending each one of you many hugs and kisses from all of us. I love each of you to the moon and back.
XXXXOOOO
Merry Christmas everyone!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely and heartfelt post.

Merry Christmas Lori, and I hope 2009 is a GREAT year for you and your family.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is beautiful...what a lovely group of people that you given birth to!!!! Sorry about the sad and missing them part...that can never be easy.
This is my fave part: "most of all I am thankful for the birth of Jesus and for the rebel that He was...that He loves the rebel in me"
You put that so well.
Blessings,
Suz

Jason, as himself said...

Way to count your blessings!

I agree with Suz's sentiments, too.

Pseudo said...

Thank-you for sharing your family with us in this post. You have so much love for them and it shijnes through in every word.

Hapy Holidays to you and your family and wishing you all the best in 2009!

I Am Woody said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you for including us in your life!

Stepping said...

Beautiful! I agree with Suz in reference to the "rebel" statement. I've never thought about our Lord like that but it is perfect. I am so grateful for you.

Angel said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours too! What lovely pictures! and I LOVE THAT DOG!!! What kind of dog is it????

Unknown said...

you are just able to express so much love, admiration, kindness, and respect in your words. I love reading these posts, it makes me wish I had five children and five grandchildren and a rebel within.

You are amazing my friend, and you have brightened my life this year, and been a great support.

much love!!

Anonymous said...

Hop you had a lovely Christmas and are gearing up happily for the New Year! Thanks for sharing so much in all your posts, and looking forward to continuing to correspond with you in 2009....

gram said...

Hope you're enjoying your holiday!take care. And Happy New Year!!

♥ Braja said...

Smiles, have a happy night and a great 2009!