Christmas Eve

This time last year I was a blubbering mess. I remember barely making it to the Christmas Eve service at my church and then sobbing my way through the whole thing. The service ended and I found myself next to my Pastor's wife asking for prayer through a flood of tears. Her prayer still resonates in my heart. She prayed for comfort, for peace, for direction, and for wisdom. I was praying for a break. God still answers prayers. Over the course of 2007, I received everything that was asked for. It didn't come in ways that I would have necessarily wanted, let alone expected, but still, they came.

This year, Christmas Eve is completely different. I have had my share of tears today, but they have been tears of joy and unexpected happiness.

What changed? The answer is simple. I did.

I have learned that it is ok to just be me (Still learning that actually). It is ok to let people love me. It is ok to freely love those around you without expecting them to expect anything. So what if the other shoe drops or the &#@(% hits the fan? That is what cleaning supplies are for.

I am finally finding comfort in my own skin. Laughing out loud when I find things funny. Loving out loud when the moment strikes me. I have learned that children are resilient (even with their specialness). And kisses really do make boo boos go away. Love is a four letter word that in no way encapsulates the roller coaster of emotion that it represents. Perfection is ridiculous. Flaws are what make us perfect.

I have found a safe place to land that I have been searching for for longer than I can remember. I just have to remind myself to lower my landing gear and not just crash.

My Christmas gifts have come in the form of IEP meetings, IQ tests, sticky hands, tickle fights, cabinets, smiles across coffee, handholding in cars, breathing deeply and just sitting still long enough to know that I am doing so, movies and chinese food, text messages, and the hearts of loving friends across the globe. I am blessed beyond measure.

My wish for you today is that you will stop for a moment and look around you. There are pockets of sunshine sprinkled all through your life. Go on a scavenger hunt if you have to to find them! Or just wait and let them find their way back to you. Enjoy the most special birthday celebration we have all year. Without this holy day, life as we know it would not be possible.

Yes, the best gifts do not come with ribbons and bows.
But.. It would still be ok to find some jewelry under the tree! lol ;)

Love and blessings... and Happy Christmas!
Reese

Blogging isn't for sissies

Hello!!
I bet you thought I would NEVER get back to my blog, right? Wrong!
Yes, it has been almost a year to the day since my last blog, but if you know anything about the last year of my life, you know I have been a busy, busy girl!

Over the course of the last few weeks, I have had several "blogworthy" moments or ideas that I have allowed to fall by the wayside. It wasn't until today when I spoke with someone I haven't talked to in ages who said, "I miss your blog!" that I realized how much people enjoyed reading about my crazy life.

So I am not making any promises... but I am gonna give it a go again.

Merry Christmas!! Check back soon...
Our life is an adventure waiting to happen.
Love, Reese