Well, I think I can officially say that the New Year is here for me. I have finally unpacked my suitcase and makeup bag! During the season, when I am working and travelling so much, I never completely unpack anything...I basically live out of it even when I am home. Saves time packing to leave again.
But now I am home for a long time...hallelujah! Life resumes its steady pace filled with a more normal work schedule, family, laundry...all the good stuff.
As this new year really gets started there are so many things I am thankful for and so much that brings joy to my life. For starters, I LOVE being home. I am so thankful that I can be here every day. I can resume a more sedate schedule and a much more relaxed pace of living. I realize how fortunate I am to enjoy my home the way I do and I am thankful to God for this very great blessing.
My heart is filled with so much love for my family. God has been so good to us with our wonderful kids and now these delightful grandchildren. I think GRANNY is the most beautiful word in the world and I LOVE hearing it! There should be a verse in the Bible that says "a hug from a grandchild brings life to the bones" because it is certainly true. Abby just turned 5 and is delightfully grown-up, Katie is 3 and a treasure to be around and Ethan is 8 months and the very sight of him brings such joy! How blessed we are! And in less than 5 weeks little Wesley will be here....I cannot wait to hold that little guy and tell him how much I love him! My heart can handle all of these that my children choose to bless us with...being Granny is the best occupation in the world.
Another milestone just around the corner is our 34th wedding anniversary. Yep, Gene and I will have been married for 34 years in just a few months. Marriage is such a journey filled with smooth pavement and potholes, but we continue to learn how to navigate and listen to the GPS (the Holy Spirit) that God put in us when we accepted Him into our lives. When we follow the directions from our GPS we love and grow and share and life is good. When we decide to take our own shortcuts...well, let's just say that the road gets very bumpy! I prefer to avoid the bumps and, since Gene and I are in agreement on that point, it makes this empty nest a fairly pleasant place to be!
It has been a little while since I began this entry. I have made a few minor changes (to account for the time lapse) and here it is. It may take me a while to get the hang of this; but I think I might just keep on trying :o)
