Goodbye 2014, it's been fun!

I haven't posted as often this year, but it's been a really good year. Maybe that's why I haven't posted a lot. I've been living it. :)

Derek became a sergeant, after so much prayer and times of waiting. We had a really fun time in Colorado with our family there. Braylen grew from a middle schooler to a high school student, which is a VERY big deal, while Kaleb established himself within a solid friend group. Aaron is WAY more independent at the end of 2014 than he was at the beginning, something I have mixed feelings about. Oh, and Braylen is driving!!!

This is the year of our big trip to DC. The year I took Aaron to San Diego. We saw lots of America this year and continue to celebrate all we have done, while knowing in our hearts that there's no place like home. 

I really, really want to hold on to what I have and not take these years with my family for granted. Our parents remain involved in our lives and I love to see the bonds grow between the generations. Our sisters and brothers and cousins and friends make everything more fun and exciting. We may not be rich with money, but we are wealthy in the ways that count. I am so grateful.

Goodbye 2014, thanks for the memories. :)

It's Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

I love that song. I love Christmas music, period! I love all things Christmas...even the things that feel like so much work.

Like shopping, and wrapping, and cards, and baking. I think it's all worth it. :) It's all just the fluff of Christmas anyway. When it comes down to it, Christmas is about so much more.

Tonight Kaleb told me about a new kid he met at school this week. The details are a bit jumbled, but here's the gist of it. Kaleb says he's a nice kid, kind of quiet, so he sat with him at lunch today. (My sweet boy.) The first thing he said to Kaleb was, "Are your mom and dad your foster parents?" When Kaleb told him no, he just hung his head. Then he told Kaleb some of his background, and that tonight he's moving--again--and he won't be back at this school. He shared that he's not getting anything for Christmas, and if he did, he wanted a Nintendo DS. Kaleb wanted to give his to this boy, but after talking with him some more, he found out that he can't have anything like that where he's going. 

Hearing the compassion Kaleb has for this boy really touched me. Suddenly I didn't care that bedtime was delayed. I didn't care that all my Christmas cookies--4 batches--are gone and I have to make more. (My boys eat a lot of cookies!) I saw my son touched by this boy's story and I realized this is so much bigger than me and my plans.

We have so much. We really do. 

I hear the whisper in my heart: "To whom much is given, much is required." 

What are we doing about that? Here in our community, at Christmas, how can we love people? Maybe it starts with something as simple as sitting with a new kid at lunch, looking him in the eye, and listening.

"And a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

And that is why this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas from my heart to yours! :)