The snow is falling. The fire is cozy. Hot tea is in hand.
Christmas was truly wonderful. The time we spent with just us and the time spent with family and friends. It was filled with love and peace.
I love when the kiddos have a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve. How early they wake up Christmas morning. The excitement. The joy. The celebration. The wide eyes and big smiles at unexpected gifts ...

About a week before Christmas my 10 year old said he had a question. It was right before bedtime. He joined us on the couch. His question for us was, "Is Santa real?" My heart dropped. I so wanted him still to believe (its such a magical part of Christmas), but I also knew it was time. We sat and talked for a long time. His response was awesome. He thanked us for making Christmas so special and asked if now he could be a part of making those memories for his sister. He has such a big heart.


We have been true home bodies since Christmas. Just the four of us. Some quiet time. I guess I don't really feel like anything more. The days, the weeks, leading up to Christmas are filled with so much and the day itself so whole ... I suppose I feel a little blue. Sad. Not from desiring more but simply longing for the time that has already past.

I'm an emotional person. Always have been and (I'm assuming) always will be. I believe that I am truly a mellow, laid back person. But I can get overwhelmed so easily. At times I just seem to struggle with my own emotions, trying not to let them get the best of me.

It's been good just to be this past week.



We had a day long power outage the other day. Not much to do but read, play games and just hang out. Didn't really think to much of it til night fall. We had nothing but a fire, lit candles and each other. A quick cold meal out of the fridge. However, reaching in the fridge in the near drop turned into me dropping a can of open green chiles, which in turn splatted all over everything ... the walls, the ceiling, the computer, my hair, just to name a few. Even the animals joined us by the fire. (even my son's bearded dragon had to come out by the fire as his tank was too cold!).
It was actually good for us. There was no electronic devices ... computer, Ipods, video games, movies ... to fall back on. And sometimes I think those things are relied upon way too much.
We had each other.

Its hard to believe the year is over and 2010 is upon us. If I had to sum up the best parts of this past year, it would be the memories that were made ...
My son walking around singing "Eye of the Tiger."
My daughter making a slip n' slide on the bathroom floor.
The Nerf dart wars and "bases" around the house.
The concerts my four year old girl puts on.
The giggles, the smiles, the silliness and the snuggles.

They make my life so full. Simply couldn't imagine life without them.

What will the new year bring?
I don't know.
There's a lot I want to do ... but I also don't believe in resolutions, so to speak.

My 2010 desires ...
To invest more time into the relationships in my life. To strengthen them.
To be a stronger person.
To engage in every moment fully.
To teach my children by example, more than I have.
My business to evolve. In what way I do not know ... but I have the desire and am open to change.
To be a Godly, graceful woman, wife, mother, friend.

After all, 2010 also brings my 40th birthday! (Yikes!!!!)

May the new year bring peace to all ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!