My favorite gift...

This Christmas was quite peaceful. We didn't go overboard on gifts for the kids. I had to learn to let a lot of my expectations fall away as I've been dealing with pretty bad migraines over the past 2 weeks. I didn't get a chance to bake or even finish decorating the tree.
In past years, these things would've unnerved me and I would've been stressed and miserable... and made everyone around me stressed and miserable. But, I'm thankful that I can see how the Lord has been changing me... to be less like myself and , hopefully, more like Him. I was able to really enjoy my family and to celebrate even when I would've rather gone to bed.
 I was just chatting with my sis this morning as she was showing me a crossfit promotional video. "I guess being able to challenge yourself and achieve the impossible would be great." I told her... "But it's just the very opposite of where I am in my life."
The theme of my story for a very long time has been... learning to accept and embrace limitations. Mostly physical limitations... which eventually bleed into the other areas in life. I am a desperate, incapable person on my own. Which is a glorious place to be. If I happen to have the energy or strength to accomplish a lot in any given day, then one thing is certain. It came from the Lord. It is definitely not any of my doing. Not because I'm 'in shape' or got out of bed early and did my 'devotions'... but because a gracious Father gave me a beautiful gift that day. And I'm so grateful that my eyes can see these days as gifts... rather than, 'what I deserve or expect'.

So, speaking of gifts... here are just a few things that I'm grateful to have received this Christmas...

1) Peaceful time to visit with family
2) Time to paint and bake cookies with my family
3) A fabulous husband who took both kids to his band practice at church, so I could have time to make photo books for my family

4)  Time to rest and get rid of my migraine on Christmas Eve
5)  My fabulous Ugg boots that Davy remembered me wanting last year!
6)  Reaghan babysitting so Davy and I could shop together
7) A stocking full of dark chocolate
8) A fabulous breakfast with my sis this morning
9) A heart that could embrace the season despite many setbacks
10) ... and my favorite gift this year was the smallest one... about the size of a blueberry... with a very strong heartbeat.



It has been a very Merry Christmas...