2010

2011

Our December has been crazy busy, but i have had lots of days of reflecting.  This is the month that we came home last year, and let me tell you-we have had a LOT of stress in our life the last 6 months-lots of life changing events, HOWEVER-I can tell you-I am SO much more relaxed now than I was at this time last year......
This year, stress was about jobs, finances, are we making the right "financial choices" for our family - you see the "trend"-this year it's about $$$, money is an important thing and it does control almost every aspect of your life, especially when caring for 2 young children.  HOWEVER-we have MOST definitly learned that $$$, believe it or not-really doesn't signify "who" you are in life, your status, etc...well, for us it doesn't-not anymore.  After 2 (3) trips to Africa, 2 children that came from LITERALLY NOTHING, the LOVE we witnessed in a country that has NOTHING, the "simple" things, etc our life has been dramatically changed, and I am certain it was all part of God's master plan.  I tell you, this silly "God" of ours-he makes me stomach do crazy things, he makes my mind wander in areas it shouldn't go, but ALL because it's in his plans. 
One year ago, my stomach was in knots because we had just returned home with our baby girl. Our precious Ezra T. that NOW I would not CHANGE a thing for and we would do it a million times over again-it's the transition period from the trip to Africa, back home with a baby girl. It's the leaving our 3 year old at home (on his bday, and even though HE didn't know it-I did) while we were gone on a 18 hr plane ride on a short lil' jaunt across the pond, the 5 holiday parties we needed to tend to when we got home, the guilt of wondering if I really did have enough EQUAL love to give two children at once every.single.day.........the feeling of thinking i didn't have it in me to even travel to the market with BOTH of them at once, HOW ON EARTH would I do that without losing my mind, or for that matter ONE of THEM?! : ) Surpringly enough, one year later I do it all the time and I LOVE IT! (now, don't get me wrong-I never thought I would enjoy grabbing a Coffee and heading to Meijer for 2 hrs by myself either!) ....
I cannot WAIT for Christmas 2011-a year of Ezra T being in the family, our greatest gift of 2010 BY FAR-And Rylee continues to amaze us, even when she's being her diva lil' self-he helps, giggles, and sometimes tries to discipline her himself, we are so very blessed to have all that we have in our life, even if it meant lots of struggles a long the way, as long as we keep our faith we know we'll make it....Thank you everyone for all of your Love, Words of Encouragment, Laughs and tears you have shed with us a long the way-we are simply blessed in many areas of our life....Enjoy this CHRISTmas season with those you love.....

Merry Christmas, and a HAPPY HAPPY New Year!

Ryan, Meggan, Rylee and Ezra