Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it's 2012!

Looking back over 2011 and I have so much to be thankful for in life! A wonderful husband, a son many dream of having, a daughter in law many could only hope for, and of course my Grandchildren. After spending a couple of days during Christmas with them I was reminded how blessed I am.

Benjamin, a true gift from God. His kind sweet and gentle soul touches all he meets. I find it ironic that he has the same birthday as Melody , because she had some of the same qualities and personality traits. Everyone enjoyed being around her and she was loved by all who met her or came in contact with her and the same goes for Benjamin.

Sweet Samuel, so full of life! This precious boy could charm the inheritance out of a rich selfish man's hand. His laughter brings so much joy to my life. His comical ways keeps everyone wondering what is next. But his presence demands an audience, and he gets one every time.

William, is the baby of the bunch for now since we have a new one on the way. He really isn't a baby any more, he considers himself one of the big boys and keeps up pretty good. William is unique, he is different than Ben and Sam. Although he has the same charm effect, and his smile can melt the hardest of hearts. He can move quicker than most children, one moment he is there and poof, he is gone. He is quite the artist and loves anything with wheels. Then we have a new baby on the way, of course we will have to wait and see what kind of personality he will have, four boys!

Okay, so I went on and on about my boys... let me go back to the rest of my treasured family.

I will start with Manny, or "our Manny" as Benjamin calls him. I have been blessed with a husband who loves me and I him.We have such a blessed life! Some would look at it as difficult but we know better. We do spend a lot of time commuting back and forth to work and we are exhausted on Friday afternoon but we have what many couples dream of. We have a love and commitment that goes beyond ourselves, it is a gift from God. Manny is a man of few words, but he is far from shallow. His thought process is so deep I find myself having to really pay attention to grasp some of his thoughts. I am simple minded and he is complex. Manny is a true gift from God to me, he came into my life at a time I really needed him but I was unaware of it. We have spent the last nine years together and I am so grateful to have a companion I can trust completely to love and protect me at all times.

Now let me brag about my son, Zechariah or Zack as he is known. Zack is my pride and joy in life. Since I became a Mom at a early age I didn't always make the best choices. But Zack wasn't one of them, and I thank God each day for the gift of my son. When he was little I did my best to spend time with him and give him a home filled with love. I believe his Dad and I did that, in spite of our differences Zack was fortunate to have grown up in a loving environment full of mud pies, play dough and water paints. :) And then he grew up to find the love of his life Bonnie. Bonnie is such a good Mom to their boys and I am so thankful for the love they have in their home. She has created a home filled with love and laughter and the boys thrive in that secure environment.

Last but not least, let's not forget the cat, Gracie. Gracie is an entitled cat, she thinks she rules the kingdom which is actually our house. She wakes me up at two, three and four in the morning. Sometimes she wants to go outside, or have me watch her eat her cat food. However, there are times she just wants me up because she is... :)

So as we go into the New Year I pray for my family, that they will enjoy life to it's fullest and serve God in the capacity He has called them. I also pray for those that feel they have no need for God, that they will come to an understanding of the great love God has for them and someday embrace that truth! -Selah