Tis the Season

As the Holiday season goes, I would feel ungrateful if I did not write down a few of my blessings.  I really do feel so blessed and despite the challenge we faced this year, I am grateful for so many things.

1.  I married my best friend and literally the "man of my dreams!"  Our story is one for the ages and I tell people all the time that marrying Marcus is a dream come true for me.  I love him now more than ever and I am so thankful that the Lord blessed us with a strong relationship to not only weather, but to become closer during our trials.

2.  I love my girls and I am humbled each day to be their mother.  Ainsley definitely keeps me on my toes and although it is difficult to parent her at times because she is so intelligent, I believe she makes me a better person.  Her smile melts my heart and her laughter is contagious.  Emerson is a ray of sunshine in our home and no matter what mood I am in, she ALWAYS lifts my spirits.  She is always up for some fun and will dance to any music, even hymns in church.  When you've got rhythm you have to shake it, I guess.  She loves life and keeps the rest of us from being too high strung.  Eden, although with us on earth for only a short time taught us to cherish our "little moments."  She reminds me every day that I am part of an eternal family and that the Lord really is mindful of me.  She was an example of strength that far reaches any I have known.

3.  I LOVE my parents.  They have done more for me over the years than I deserve.  I can say without hesitation that I was blessed with excellent parents who taught me through word and example and who have never faltered in their support or love for me.  I hope to be the mom to my children that my mother was to me.

4.  I feel privileged to have good friends.  I have never been one to have really close friends, but as I get older and wiser, I realize that my friends are essential to my happiness and they are closer to me than I previously admitted.

Of course, my list could go on forever, but I want you all to know that although I have good and bad days, I still have a thankful heart.  I know I am blessed and I know that Christ loves me.  Life isn't easy, we all know that, but my challenges seem lighter when I strive to be positive.

We worked all weekend to put up the Christmas decorations.  Really, I can not take any credit because all I do is clean, Marcus puts everything up and arranges it BEAUTIFULLY.  We really love to go all out at Christmas and he sure has an eye for decorating.  IT was so nice having him home for one extra day as well.

Emerson has a couple of new sayings.  She loves to say "that's pathetic!"  If I drop something or don't match her clothes just right (she is a fashionista!) then I hear it, "that's pathetic mommy!"  We also do not have hair do's in our house because according to Emmy, the are "hair dudes!"  Gotta  love them.