Christmas looked different this year than I ever imagined than I ever expected.

milk and cookies
There are stories we live that aren’t mine to tell, this is one of them. What I can tell you is that those boys of mine spent Christmas in their own beds. Santa left presents under the tree in our living room, and I got to witness the magical sleepy-eyed joy of those precious boys on Christmas morning.

My “keep yourself busy” list went out the window somewhere on a middle of the night drive to pick them up. And while I didn’t organize like I wanted and I wasn’t focused on others like I’d hoped, our boys were loved and safe and warm… and they ate Granny’s dressing and Momma’s chocolate pie until their bellies were content.

This week was full and overflowing in ways I didn’t expect. I scrambled to pull our traditions together. It all turned out well, and the boys didn’t skip a beat or bat an eye at the traditions that didn’t happen.  I’m at work writing this on my lunch break again, and the boys are with my mom today- probably still in pajamas, playing with new toys.

The words in my last post still ring true- probably, truer than ever:

2015 is the year I don’t settle, it’s the year we dig our own roots deep into this Alabama clay. It’s the year I move forward and don’t look back.
It’s the year this broken heart of mine stops lingering in the pain and starts fully trusting Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear friends- those I’ve hugged and those I only wish I could. My greatest wish is that you know you’re loved, that you have the things you need and a few of the things you want. You are prayed for and are worthy of the greatest this life has to offer. I am so thankful for your love, friendship, kind words. Thank you for believing in me when I can’t. xoxo

Here’s to doing what is right and not what is selfish.
Here’s to extending Grace and trusting Him.
Here’s to knowing the truth and believing the Truth.
Here’s to Hope and moving forward…

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me for ever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.

-Away in  a Manger

 

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