Happy New Year

Can you believe that another year has come and gone? I find myself sitting here thinking, once again, how quickly the time has passed and looking back at all that we've done during the past 12 months. I hope that your year was filled with love, joy, hope, peace, warmth, comfort, and laughter. I know ours was. Actually, during all the happiness that we were blessed to have in our lives, we also shed a fair amount of tears -- our first born starting kindergarten, her making the TAG team at Chows and finally realizing how wonderfully satisfying it is to realize the fulfillment of a dream and taste the success that accompanies it, our son growing wings and turning from a toddler into a little boy so full of spunk and energy, and the birth of our third child -- potentially our last. When I look into his little eyes and see how incredibly innocent he is and what an incredible gift from God he is, I can't imagine NOT having another child, but Matt ..... He'll need a *little* convincing. I will say this -- having a child is, by far, the most rewarding and fulfilling blessing I've ever experienced. It is an awesome responsibility and I feel so incredibly humbled to have their presence in my life every day. It is truly amazing.

We've been incredibly busy the last couple of weeks, but I promise to post some Christmas pictures soon. I just haven't had time between decorating, baking, buying AND wrapping gifts, starting traditions of our own and keeping up with those passed down to us, and making each day magical for the kids. I remember when I was growing up, this was my favorite time of year, and it's very important that my kids feel the same way. I didn't realize how exhausting it all was for my parents! It's a good exhaustion, but I'm exhausted nonetheless!

In the meantime, I wanted to leave you with a picture of the year's best gift -- by far. It is the gift of life and love. My precious baby Andrew. Isn't he incredible?