When Your Heart Finds Christmas

Every year as the week before Christmas approaches........I find myself crazy with worry and anxiety about what I have done and bought and what I didn't buy and do I have enough for the kids, John, family...etc. This year is very different for me. I think I am in a different place than ever before. I don't think it is because I lost 50 pounds. I am not sure what it is. I am finding this year that I am enjoying what Christmas is all about. I can look at all the blessings in my life and feel really content. I think part of the difference is my deepening faith. The more connected I am to God the better all other parts of my life become. I am so in love with my husband and I am thankful that he is such a huge supporter of what ever I do. He is now and always has been my biggest cheerleader. I have been so blessed to have 3 children. Each unique and different and each holds a piece of my heart in the palm of their hands. Often times I feel people feel sorry for me because I never had biological children. I say .....DONT! I feel abundantly blessed to be called mama by each one of them. Don't think I don't see myself in each of them because you would be wrong! I do see myself ...in their thoughts, their actions, their words, their tenderness, their love. Maybe other can't see it....but I can. I am thankful that I am in a good place with my brothers and sisters.....all of them...at the same time. That is a "Christmas Miracle". Over the past five years we have made many new friends..not acquaintances.....friends. People we met doing our 3 adoptions. Some I only know on line and some I know personally. I cant begin to tell you how much these people matter to me. We follow each others blogs, we write comments to them, we talk about the ups and downs of adopting children. I can t tell you how much these people matter. One in particular, I wont mention names ( but she is still younger than "most planets"), is so near to my heart and I am so blessed to call her a friend! How lucky am I to have such a relationship? I am thankful that we have gotten so close this year and I feel our friendship will continue to grow over the years That's what I am thankful for this year. I don't care about presents, or material things. I am celebrating life. Mine and His! I am so happy that the kids are getting it too, they know what Christmas is all about. Of course they are excited about presents too, but they know what Christmas means and they know that we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ . Years from now, I want to read this post and remember the feeling in my heart this year. If you are reading this, I hope you find yourself with Christmas spirit in your heart!

Reason To Celebrate

I am celebrating my own accomplishment here! I hit the 50 pound mark in my weight loss journey. I have struggled along the way and I truthfully thought at times "oh forget it" but I am on a journey and I have to keep moving forward. I was hoping to reach this milestone by Thanksgiving and was not too happy about about not accomplishing it. A little too much pie, cake and cookies! I got right back on track and here I am.

My Three Christmas Chef's

Here is a preview of our Christmas card......are they cute or what!