Monday, December 8, 2014

The Real Christmas Letter

The Christmas season is upon us.  I've been working on our Christmas lists for a couple of weeks and have even snuck in some Christmas music.  I dragged all of the Christmas boxes up from the basement today and set about decorating our new space for the first time.  I love to see what those boxes hold, the ornaments and memories.  Christmas is such a wonderful time of year.  

I have been working on the Christmas cards this week.  I always enjoy writing an annual letter about what we've been up to the past year.  I like reading them so I write one too.  As I sat to write the letter and thought about this past year, it was hard to fathom all that has happened.  Essentially we have:

- Packed, moved and set up two houses (because the first move was in November)
- We changed our whole life two times and started again.  New friends, new classes, playgroups, doctors, grocery stores, everything.
- Amy was born (which is a huge change all by itself)
- We entered and enjoyed (were driven crazy) the toddler years with our son.  We even went through potty training.
- We lived in a hotel for 32 nights all while finding and purchasing a home
-  I have never been so tired in my life (nobody slept for months).
-  We chose to change our lives and move away from our family

It has been one of the most stressful and difficult years of my life.   I can't deny it. 

Well, that would be one depressing Christmas letter.

Instead, perhaps I will think about some of the wonderful things that have come into my life.  I have a new deeper trust in God and in his ability to guide my life.  I appreciate Heber and his ability to work hard for us.  I learned that people are so kind and willing to reach out, there were some wonderful Logan folks that forever impacted my life.  I value so much good friends and family, they've really been there for us. 

I am happy to see this 2014 come to a close.  Here's to non-depressing Christmas letters.  I guess it's back to the drawing board for me. 

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