A Full Heart

Christmas 2009

As we get ready for Christmas tomorrow--our first one with Ray and LuLu in the clan--my heart is FULL. (Actually, it's my eyes that are full--of tears. But you get the idea.)

This has been ONE incredible year!

Our family has done things we didn't think we could. We have faced fears we didn't want to face.

And we've been so loved by family and friends all-the-while. (It's our friends and family that have made these challenges live-able, do-able, possible.)

Thank you--all of our family and all of our friends--for helping us adopt Ray and LuLu AND for helping us through Dave's dad's passing.

And thank you to our kids. You've each taught us so much this year.

In fact, I think our family may want to refer to this year as the "Sandpaper Year"--because heaven knows we've been sanded a lot. We must have had a lot of rough edges there, because at times the sanding was painful. Worth it, yes, but a little rough in spots. (Maybe in 2010 God will let us work on some cosmetic changes, like paint and glitter. I think sanding should be an every other year thing. No? Forgive the strained metaphor.)

Anywho . . .

I'm so grateful to our kids for journeying through this year with smiles on their faces, laughter in their voices.

Ray and LuLu, you are such beautiful and brave kids. You have given us your love--so willingly. You have taught us so much (and we do love chorizo!). We are better people for having you in our lives.

Jonah, Camry, Kaya and Paigey, you are just as beautiful and brave. You welcomed Ray and LuLu to our family as if they'd been here all along. You made their transition here EASY. You each did that. Your love. Your time. Your care. You adopted Ray and LuLu long before the courts made it official.

And you were there for dad as he faced a really important and difficult time--Gpa Mike's passing.

Even though I know pride isn't really a Godly trait, I want each of you--Jonah, Camry, Kaya, Ray, Paigey and LuLu--to know that I'm proud of you. I'm so proud to know that we are raising kiddos who are willing to share and love others--without asking questions, without worrying about your own needs/wants.

In all honesty, as I sit here this morning, I can't think of a single gift I'd like for Christmas (Well, actually I do covet this Paula Dean rolling pin at WalMart, but that's hilarious, no?).

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I love you.