He went to New Orleans...

I have been teasing all week with where Mr. Fish is and what he is doing and tonight, the big reveal. He went to New Orleans! Our church mission group started talking about going this week back in August and he asked me if I would be ok if he went, he said he felt called. Who am I to stand in the way of a calling? I said absolutely and he was going!

He left Monday morning, very early. Our house is not the same without him and while we all know he is doing important work, we sure miss him. Our family doesn't function well without Daddy.

He is staying in an old orphanage without windows, tv, not even a radio. He is taking lots of pictures which I will be happy to share as soon as I can. He is working hard and trying to take in the enormity of the situation. He said it was a real slap in the face.

The week started a little rough when V vomited and our dryer quit working and then I broke the wheel off of A's stroller and my favorite shoes ripped but in the end God is GOOD and it will all work out!

I got this text message from him early tonight:

Leavin' for dwtn at 5:45 Dinner at 8:30 Ball drop at 12:00 Bein' with my family-priceless! Love u guys!

We will just pray that God brings him home safely to us when he is done there and that everyone will have a place to live someday soon.

I waited and waited for you Jesus!

This entire holiday season from Thanksgiving til Christmas Eve I was searching high and low for my spirit. My husband was laid off from his job for the first time in 10 years. My sister Jackie lost her job in February, she is still unemployed. My sister-in-law lost her job 9in March and then was rehired but only part time without insurance (she has 2 children). Then, the kicker was that that same SIL's husband was laid off on Christmas Eve. I think that these events along with the bad communication with Mr. Fish and the older fish kids not listening at all and the youngest of the fish children not sleeping at all have put me in a bad place. I prayed that come Christmas Eve mass I would be filled with the spirit and feel so at peace. While I was at church I did feel it for a short time...the happiness that is supposed to fill your heart this time of year. Just as quick as it came, it was gone. Christmas Day I had a terrible case of feeling sorry for myself, which is ridiculous because if you know me you know I feel like the most blessed person EVER!

When we walked into our mud room (after a rough drive back from being with our parents and families for Christmas) it hit me like a ton of bricks.

There were 4 packages. 2 for S and 2 for V. Wrapped up so beautifully with bows and a label with their names typed out on a computer. I didn't really think about what they could be and thought for sure there was a card on them. V got to hers first and opened the small box...it was a DS game. Then she started to jump around and scream at the top of her lungs yelling...WE GOT DS'S FOR CHRISTMAS! OH MY GOSH I KNOW THERE IS A DS IN THE OTHER BOX, I JUST KNOW IT!!!! S COME QUICK, WE GOT DS'S!!!! He, being the sleuth that he is, starts in with who would get them for us??? Who are they from??? Santa??? What is going on??? And then he decides oh who cares...OH MY GOSH WE BOTH OWN DS'S :) YEA US!! NOW HE IS JUMPING AROUND AND SCREAMING!!!!

I still don't know who bought them, and that is OK with me. Today in church I realized and tears filled my eyes that someone really loves us :) I was overwhelmed to think that someone thought so much of us that they would use their money ($ 250) to make our children this excited! That is a great feeling....that is a great gift and I feel so blessed to have this really good friend, even though I still don't know who did it.

So now I know that all I had to do was stop looking and just know that in the end things are not always perfect but we are truly loved. It doesn't take money spent on you to realize that you are so blessed. So now as I sit here on the couch writing this post while they both are laying here beside me playing their DS's. The Christmas music is playing, the Christmas tree is lit and here we are all together enjoying our family and that my friends is what Christmas is supposed to feel like! Thank you Jesus for finding me and for dying on the cross for me!

Merry Christmas friends!

Enjoy this moment!

I play this little game with myself. As Christmas approaches I pretend it is weeks away and then in the last 7 days I turn towards next year. It's like I am never "in the moment." I think because I love Christmas so much and if I let myself get too excited all too soon it is gone. I love everything about Christmas. The smells, the shopping, the wrapping, the mass, the songs, the tree, the smiles, everything. So this year I have decided to relax and really try to "take it in." I have been trying to listen closer to the words of the Christmas songs and read Christmas books both on my own and to the bigs. Watch every Christmas movie under the sun because I KNOW all too soon it will be 12/26 and no one wants to celebrate the day after Christmas with me.

Last year we had a baby, a brand new little guy, now that was a present! We all just passed him around and snuggled him up under the Christmas tree. This year he can't even sit still to get his picture taken near the tree :) @LovelyShaw & @BabyDickey are all expecting the greatest Christmas presents ever and yes I am a little jealous :) Enjoy this time lovely ladies!

Every minute is a miracle!

I am a firm believer in making the best of what you have. I know every day, every minute is a miracle. I lay in bed every night beside my best friend. Not every moment we have together is perfect but it is nearly perfect :) I wake up every morning to a sweet little screamer. Then I jump up and run in to wake the other blessings. I have a beautiful, not perfect home and a wonderful, not perfect van. My whole life is nearly perfect but not quite perfect.

I am so blessed that I get to have a few months off in the winter to recharge and focus on my family. I feel so lucky to have a job that I can do from home so I don't have to leave Nemo in daycare. I also get to help out at Crush and Dory's school which makes them so happy to have their Mom around!

My friend once told me that I was the most grateful person she has ever known. It was corrin renee from www.ohhey.com and she was right! It was one of the greatest compliments ever paid to me.

I know what is on the other side and I want no part of it :) I am thankful that my children and my husband and myself are all healthy! We have been blessed over and over and over again and for this I am thankful and grateful!

I look around my home and see all of the comforts of home that not every one has and again am overcome with happiness!

Please leave me a comment and tell me what you are thankful for!

Psalm 70:4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The LORD is great!"