Merry, Merry Christmas, my friends!

Wishing each of you the most glorious Christmas ever. May you know the wonder of God himself and rejoice in the celebration of His birth. Be safe! Hope you are all able to surround yourselves with those you love the most.

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Lynn

Happy Thanksgiving!

My favorite time of the year has rolled around once more, and my life has been abundantly blessed this year. Baby Jay has opened an entirely new depth of love inside my heart and turned the tough-ole-gal into a sappy, mushy grandmother of a mess. Baby Myah also made her appearance this year, making me a great-aunt. I am very grateful for those babies and the new opportunities they represent. Mike is enjoying some well-deserved time off this month and the kids are healthy. There are no greater blessings than the loved ones we hold dear.

My job survived the latest round of cuts, and for that I am grateful. The transition is ongoing, and I struggle from time to time, but all things work out in the end. I consider myself lucky to count my co-workers among my friends. No finer people exist.

I am surrounded by wonderful friends. In fact, I've added some new faces to the inner circle over the course of the past year, and there is no doubt in my heart that God has placed each one in my life for a reason, and at the proper time. I love you all and appreciate all you do to enrich my life.

As always, I give thanks to the soldiers and their families, and take a moment to honor our fallen heroes and the loved ones they left behind. So many give so much so that we can join together in fellowship tomorrow.

I wish each of you a holiday season filled with richness. Surround yourselves with those you love the most, enjoy the warm, inviting aromas of Thanksgiving and the gift of laughter in the air. Safe travels and many blessings, my friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here's wishing you all a very merry Christmas! May you remember the true meaning of the holiday and honor the birth of Christ in your celebrations.

Thanksgiving Wishes

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday of the year. It is full of warm sounds, fragrant aromas, rich colors, and the people I hold dearest to my heart. It's the one time of year I truly allow myself to reflect and emote without censorship from the inner critic. As I count my blessings this year, I go beyond the "health, happiness, and family" gratitude.

I am thankful for my new boxer puppy, Brutus, who brings laughter to my life on a daily basis. I am thankful for my new son-in-law, Tom, who joined this crazy family in October. And for my "old" son-in-law, Chris, who blended into our lives so well. I am grateful for my girls - and the fact that, despite my many attempts, God prevented me (and continues to prevent me) from screwing them up too badly. I am thankful to have a home and a job in these challenging economic times, and even more thankful that the rest of my family has the same. I am thankful that I work with a great bunch of people. I am thankful that I have the ability to read and to write this blog. I am thankful to have friends that I could, without a second's hesitation, call at 3:00 a.m. I am grateful to have had the greatest mother-in-law of all time, and still feel that loss deeply. I am even grateful for Mojo, our crabby little (old) dachsund - a loyal and faithful friend, if ever there was one.

I am GRATEFUL that the 2008 election is over and my phone no longer rings nonstop! I am grateful for the men and women who leave their homes and are stationed overseas to promote freedom and democracy for all. I am ever so thankful for the liberties and freedoms I possess as an American. I am thankful to have a husband who values humor, kindness, and family. And I am thankful for my faith and the love of a God who is always present, always powerful, and upon whom I can always rely.

The list goes on and on. What are you grateful for this year? Happy Thanksgiving!