Merry Christmas everyone! I have said since October that I really just wanted to skip Christmas and New Years all together...go to a remote cave and hibernate until all the joy and happiness is over. What I have realized more than anything is that there are so many people who have suffered tragedy and have found the joy again. Kevin loved Christmas...not for the presents though. It was a time when family was together and the world seemed to stop just simply enjoy what life really is about. The food and going fishing with Lucas were also two added bonuses to the season!

The picture above was taken on Christmas day last year. We were going to send out a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" card but the move across country and starting school kind of took priority over being organized for Christmas. I always thought we had the next 60 years to send out our Christmas card so it was no big deal. I really wish we had sent this one last year.

We are also missing my very special Grandpa Harold this season. Every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember Grandpa Harold and Grandma Shirley came over for breakfast. When we were younger we would show them all our presents and play the games we got. As we got older the gifts got more practical and the real joy was just being able to spend time with our grandparents. I cherish those memories of Christmas time with my Grandpa.

This picture was taken at Christmas last year. Last night I asked Olivia who was in the picture and she said "That's Kevin...he's with Grandpa in heaven." It melted my heart. I want her to remember her Uncle and how much he loved her and I think he left a lasting impression on her heart.

I miss Kevin so much but I also know that he wants nothing more but for us to love and enjoy living. I'm sure he's attending the best birthday party we could ever imagine today.  Merry Christmas Babe!

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change