Happy Holidays! I hope all of you received a Christmas card, if you didn't....I am sorry. This season just snuck up on me. Usually, I am very good about Christmas; the shopping, newsletter, decorating, etc. Not this year. Here it is, 13 days 'till Christmas and I just got the tree up! I feel so behind.
For all of you who are wondering who that cute little baby is I am holding in the Christmas card, that is baby Mason. We are fostering him. He came to live with us when he was two weeks old. He is so precious and growing way to fast. All the children love him. Everyone gets to feel "big" and helpful with him around. The kids take turns putting his binky in his mouth, kissing his head, taking his diapers to the garbage as well as dirty clothes to the wash. The boys are learning to be gentle, while the girls feed their desires to be little mommas. I sneak peeks at the girls pretending to feed, burp and bath their baby dolls just like I do with baby Mason. My heart is so full of happiness just seeing what I have not taught them but what they have "caught" from watching Tom and me.
A lot has happened since last years Christmas letter. I will give a brief update since I was unable to write one this year.
In June, Tom graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelors in Business Administration. It was not the best time in the economy to be graduating college, but our God being very good, blessed us with Tom's ideal job! He knew that God was calling him into ministry and a local job opened! Not to mention at a church with the most amazing people and Godly leaders. We could not have asked for anything better!
I should back up a bit... In late March, we brought home two wonderful boys. Tyrell and Da'Sean. Having them so close in age to our babies, the mix was a little much. We did feel very overwhelmed but God taught us a lot in the patience department as well as stretching our parenting skills. The boys stayed through the summer into August until they moved to their forever families in Seattle. I am so thankful they were placed in our home so that through people knowing us, were brought to an amazing family that will adopt them!
Tom did a summer internship at a church in Yakima. He enjoyed the experienced, as I just survived it (= He was gone majority of the summer, as where I was home with 6 kids going a little nutty. heheheh! I was sent a friend that helped me through. Thank Heavens!! My friend introduced me to running and reintroduced me to myself. I think with all the kids I lost "me" somewhere along the way. I realized that I needed moments of recharging to get me through the tough spots.
Thankfully the summer went fast. It took me leading as a camp councilor up at Malibu Younglife, for God to quiet me and work on my heart. He renewed my spirit as well as showed me His heart for people. He helped me understand why I went through experiences in my past, why I have fought with depression and showed me His love story in my life. When we returned home, I was not only a better wife and mother, I was ready to be a "help mate" to my wonderful husband.
October was a blast and ended too soon. Marchel turned 2 right before November hit as well as my 25th birthday. 25... that was a hard one to swallow. I cried most of the day. Thanksgiving was truly a time to reflect and be thankful. Thankful for family. We spent Thanksgiving at Grandfather's and Grandmother's. Grandmother went all out! it reminded me of the first Thanksgiving I spent with them. It was before Tom and I were married. I had never had a thanksgiving like it! It was so special. The only thing different about this years dinner was... well, a lot more kids, but Nick threw up on me! OH, one to go down in the good memory file!
Now it is December. Christmas is approaching as well as a new year. I try to be brave as 2011 is close, but I can't help but be a little sad and scared. Years go by too fast and life is like a roller coaster of change. I lost a Grandpa in June and will shorty be losing another. I can't help but want to freeze time. Freeze in this season of happiness and joy, freeze while all my loved ones are here, freeze my babies just the way they are still small and innocent and thinking Tom and I are the world.
I may not be able to hold off change and pain but I can be very thankful that I have a best friend and partner that God has given me to be married to as well as the promise that one day he will make all things new and there will be no more pain or sorrow. Until then, I WILL SAVOR EVERY MOMENT WITH ALL OF YOU AND CHERISH IT FOREVER!
