The strangest times

The Christmas spirit didn't fill my heart this year as it has so many years in the past.  I could never get all my family together for a family picture so I didn't do Christmas cards!   I found myself grumpy and undecided what to buy for people not wanting to spend unnecessary money on more junk when I feel that I'm busting out the seams of this house.   Seems that since we lost good ole' Papa Christmas for me hasn't been the same. Every year at Christmas he gave me money to go buy mom gifts. It was one of my favorite things to do for him.  I miss him.   The grieving process comes in the weirdest spurts! I think the holidays bring back so many memories because we spend them with those we love.     My Christmas break has been forced oil changes, ortho appts, doctor appts,  shopping and more shopping and wrestling matches. We've had stomach virus-I lost my 3500 camera and spent 7 hours looking for it. We've been praying about another adoption situation and I've found myself wanting instant answers to prayers! BUT back to the point of the post....I had planned to relax, watch Christmas movies, bake cookies and sleep!

Today it finally hit.   I ran to the grocery store to pick up a few things  and while I was there I had this peace, incredible thanksgiving feeling that came over me.  All the hustle and bustle of people in the grocery store going by me and  it was like I was moving in slow motion!!! Ha!   I'm so thankful for my sweet blessings. Oil changes mean we have vehicles that run, ortho appts mean we have the means to put braces on our children's teeth,  a found camera means I work at the most honest school ever-it was sitting in the cafeteria right where I left it and the last place I thought to look,

  shopping means we have family to buy gifts, stomach virus means we get well in 24 hours instead of dealing with Christmas in the hospital or waiting on the next test to come back from a doctor like our sweet friends the Caten family, wet and soiled clothes dropped off at the back door means strong sons that have enough work ethic to run and train for state even in the rain,

 and a husband out shopping because he LOVES giving me gifts and many more blessings that I take for granted every day.  I am so ready for Christmas to get to be with the people that I love the most! Most of all I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and for His life, the perfect example for us to live by. I am blessed to know that He lives and loves me. 

Merry Christmas!