CHRISTmas!

I have reflected on the year we have just had and I am overwhelmed with emotion.  Kaebrie and Owen have grown so much this year.  We are learning so much about life.  I am one lucky mother.  I have learned how to be positive this year.  Our thoughts guide us to the places we go and the people placed in our lives.  I have been so grateful for being led to many wonderful places to raise our kids.  The people in my life are here for a reason.  It truly takes a village to raise children.  Kaebrie is a spirited child. She has more energy, more creativity, more spunk than anyone I've encountered before.  She entered this earth with eyes wide open and an anxious body. I knew she'd teach me a lot.  And she has! I've learned how to be more patient and more forgiving than I ever thought I would be able to be. She teaches me true compassion and how to serve.  I'd be lying though, if I didn't admit I wish some times I didn't need to learn those lessons. It's hard work. It ta long hours and lots of energy I don't always feel I have. And I'm not always so willing to learn. And I don't always learn with grace. There are plenty of days when I need to ask her forgiveness and compassion. Days when I snap at her. Days when I forget that she's still little and expect more of her than she's ready to learn or able to do. Days when I forget that she brings gifts as well as challenges.  I'm so thankful for the wise mothers I've encountered over the years through therapy and among the many neighbors and examples placed before us. Women who trust. Women who know their babies and their children. Women who are willing to learn from their children as well as teach their children. Women of faith - both in a higher power, their children, and themselves. These mentors have supported me and encouraged me. Many of them before I even knew I'd need that support.  You don't know how your examples teach others. You have no idea what gifts you have to share with others. Your gifts of patience, love, compassion, charity, kindness, trust, and faith - all these have blessed my life abundantly.  Merry Christmas to you all and a heartfelt thanks to each of you and your families for touching our lives!