The Holidays

I was thinking the other night about my dad and the challenges he faces as he ages. I began to pray for him and I was asking the Lord to be his strength, comfort, and to give us both peace and wisdom as we face the days ahead. As I lay in my bed praying, I realized...He is my strength, my dad's strength, our peace, our wisdom. I don't have to ask Him to be that. He already is!! Praise God. I just have to live like I believe that. Then came Christmas and I felt that I was moving through the season, simply tolerating it. When did it become something I just needed to "get through?" I missed the joy in celebrating Christ's birth and all that it means to me. Oh, I can list off lots of reasons for a less-than-wonderful attitude. But as I've pondered this, God has again reminded me that He is my strength, peace, wisdom, and JOY! I've been living my life as if I were waiting - waiting for resolution, waiting for peace, waiting for something to happen.

I kept trying to write but the truth is that I've felt so depleted and I guess I feel like when I write I should be able to end with some profound truth. Pride! Who am I to think that I've got it all together and I need to share it with the world? It is enough that "God Is!" He exists, He loves me, He has saved me. He is the only One I need. I don't need to be waiting for anything. He has done it all already and He knows what is coming for me. Yes, He felt my loneliness during the holidays. Yes, I'm still sitting here in front of an awesome fire - alone. I need to quit my griping. I am so blessed. So here are just a few highlights of my holiday...

We were not able to be together as a family on Christmas Day this year so we gathered at my house on December 19th for our traditional "soup supper" and to let the little ones open their presents from me.

Jason, Sarah, and Gabriel Baker.

Zac, Jenny, Logan, Felicity, Kian, and Arrow Hanna.

Donny and Melissa Stiver.

Me, my dad (Papa to everyone), and my brother, Tim.

Presents!! You can barely see it but in the background on the table is a beautiful picture of my mom and dad at Melissa and Donny's wedding. Next to that is a picture of Sarah, Jenny, Melissa, and my mom. The girls are wearing matching dresses that I had made them for Christmas. 

Sarah and Felicity have a special bond because they are both very beautiful, prissy, girly girls! Lissy is wearing a dress that I made her for Christmas.

The Paso 5.

A couple of days later, Sarah, Jenny, and I took the five Paso kids to the "Follow the Star" presentation at FBC. It was a great experience although Kian got scared and I had to carry him through the stations and Lissy clung very tightly to Aunt Sarah's hand. Jenny was kept busy with Arrow and the two older boys were left to their own devices!

The "play dough station" was probably the favorite and that was just while we were waiting for our turn to "travel."

Aunt Sarah trying to comfort Arrow but that Mama's boy wasn't buying it!

Christmas night, Melissa, Donny, and Donny's parents graciously included me in their Christmas dinner and the next night, Donny's mom, Susie, cooked a fabulous Swedish smorgasbord and insisted that I join them for that too. It was all delicious and it was so hospitable for the Stivers (who had come all the way from Wisconsin) to share their family time with me.

The next week I got to babysit Arrow for the first time. Actually, I had all three Hanna boys while Jenny took Felicity for her 5-year old vaccinations. I got Arrow to sleep by wearing him in a sling and then took the whole sling off, with him in it, and put him down in the chair. I still got it!! Isn't he sweet?

And then there's New Year's Eve! Who wouldn't enjoy a hot date with this young man and "Ice Age - Continental Drift?"

And the finale? God is so good! He surprised me with a visit from Tammera and her family. Her wonderful husband is sensitive to her need and desire to be with her family and so they drove out from Tucson, bringing sweet Audrey, Asher, and brand new baby Callan. Callan was only 11 days old when they arrived! Eli knew they might not get another opportunity to come out any time soon and so, though it was a long and arduous trip, they came! They left yesterday and though it's sad, I'm left with the memory of their precious fellowship.

My dad, meeting Callan for the first time. (By the way, Callan is wearing a sleeper that I bought for him. I had bought the same one for Arrow. You know, how cute would that be? Cousins, two months apart, in matching outfits. Arrow never got to wear his.  :(  He was too big!)

Can you see the difference between the two boys? I know, it's subtle. Look closely!  :)

Lissy will be a wonderful mother one day, just like her mama! 

 A rare occasion - all eight of my grandchildren in my living room. I told the girls that I didn't care what shape the kids were in. I just wanted them all in the same photo. Praise God! This is as good as it gets.

And here they all are with my dad and me- just prior to meltdown!

And so I sit here tonight, reflecting on the year. We've had our struggles, no doubt. I still have much to work through. But really? How can I complain? Look at these pictures! I am overflowing with gratitude to God!