A Christmas Full of Blessings

as i'm cooking here in the kitchen this morning, preparing for the eve's festivities, i can't help but feel a huge sense of joy. this will be our first christmas spent in this house, a place that i can now lovingly and comfortably call home. this is home and i am full of happiness and love in this space. 

we are blessed beyond numbers, not because we have things or the right home or all the right stuff, but because we recognize...we recognize that family makes a home, family and friends and those relationships bring us the most happiness in this life.

 i am blessed today to be a mother, and although that role can be cumbersome and busy and stressful, i get to care for these children.

i am blessed today to be my husband's wife, and although he didn't take out the garbage or gaze into my eyes this morning, he will make up for those minuscule offenses by being by my side and smiling with me as we watch our children anticipate the magic of the season.

i am blessed today to be a sister, and although i must admit that i am no longer strong enough to do damage to my brothers in a living-room wrestling match, i get to put up a weak and squealing fight...just to know that adulthood does not keep them from wanting to touch me.

i am blessed today to be a daughter, to hear my parents' love in their words, to feel their love in their touch, and to see the love and pride in their eyes. 

and i am blessed today to be a friend.  the saying goes, choose your friends wisely, and i must say i have surrounded myself by a remarkable and inspiring handful of beautiful friends. the blessing is not in having friends, but being loved by them.

may this christmas find you all well...well loved, well blessed, and well fed!

merry christmas, my friends!