I am very hit and miss with Christmas cards. This year was one of the “miss” years, but if we had sent them out, you would have LOVED them.  Just take my word for it!  It would have included a breath taking photo of my gorgeous children all wearing well thought out coordinating outfits with freshly cut and styled hair standing in front of a beautiful pine tree that was recently dusted with just the slightest whisper of snow and the faded image of a deer in the background.  Instead, I give you the next best thing:  REALITY!

Toad:  Going from 2 to 3 is a big step in any growing lad’s life.  This year was certainly no different for Toad.  Toad has enough personality to fill the Grand Canyon stuffed inside that pudgy little body.  He has the cutest little smirk and wittiest little comments that you could ever imagine.  It is a daily treat for all of us to see what he will come up with next.  This has been a milestone year for Toad that included potty training, giving up the crib and moving into the same room as his brother.  He is growing up so quickly, but still lets me hold him.  One of our favorite activities is dancing in the kitchen to whatever happens to pop up on Pandora!

Bear:  This has been a year of learning and likes for Bear.  He has learned that he loves laser tag, Bon Jovi, sugar cubes, math and sweats.  This he made the leap from half day Kindergarten to full day 1st grade and LOVES it.  He is a mother’s dream in that his favorite motivators are learning games on the computer and cleaning the bathroom.  No.  Really.  He asks to clean the bathroom for one of his rewards.  Regardless of his refusal to stop growing, this cute kiddo still has no shame in hugging me if I come in to his classroom and he loves to snuggle.  I am going to hang onto that part of his personality as long as I can.

Nena:  This little gem of a daughter has had a year full of adventure.  This year, she managed to lose 4 teeth enabling her to really be able to sing, “All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth.”  and she did so with gusto and vigor.  This year we learned that she had a myriad of food allergies that include gluten, dairy, soy and fish.  Now, after removing them all from her diet, her lifelong battle with severe eczema is now completely cured.  She finally has the soft skin that she has been pining for since she was three.  This little nut LOVES to read and I often catch her up late at night reading by flashlight.  Her favorite things this year are late nights with mom watching movies and eating popcorn.  I will admit, that is one of my favorite things too!

Me:  Whew!  What can I say, but I survived!  This year has been filled with all sorts of ups and downs.  I however, wouldn’t change anything.  I have had some amazing adventures.  I was asked by a local TV station to do a sewing demo on their morning show.  That was a thrill.  I finally had my ear surgery and I can proudly announce that I can hear… without the funnel that everyone teases me out.  I have learned that I am stronger than I thought that I was.  I am liking the person that I am becoming.  I found that I am truly blessed above anything that I deserve.  I have realized that my friends are the rock to my life.  I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by a better group of people.  I know that the center of my life is my children and my family.  Above all, I have learned that no matter what happens to me or what obstacles are put in my path, that I am able to overcome and that I am very closely watched over by the Lord.

This year has been an amazing one for all of us.  I hope that this last year has been just as amazing for you.  May you be blessed in this upcoming year with happiness, peace and joy!