"Count Your Blessings, Instead Of Sheep"

Just last night we watched the 'tevoed' version of the Christmas special that Jennifer Nettles hosted…the song she sang, "Count your blessings instead of sheep" resonated in my head all night long! After being extremely sick for two days and sort of feeling sorry for myself and yet not really even feeling well enough to do that, I knew when I heard her sing this chorus over and over…well, I knew it was speaking to ME!

 Count your blessings, Carolyn!!

So, as we all re-group and head into the New Year….a few things stick out in my mind! I've missed blogging…I've missed my blogging friends tremendously! But this is life and I have much to be thankful for! 

#1….2012 has been a wonderful year and I have loved making such wonderful "blogging friends"!

#2…I am blessed with a wonderful family and a strong group of life long friends!

 Here are just a few shots at the fun we had this Christmas and Holiday Season!

It all started with our annual Christmas Party! I don't think I will ever be able to stop having this party…I look forward to it all year and although it is hard…it is ALWAYS worth it! I love these people dearly!

Then we celebrated Christmas with my brother and his wife Marianna and their precious children! 

What a fun group we had!

We did our best to capture every moment of the festivities at each event…this was at my parent's house with my sister and brother and their families.

 My mom was loving having all of her children ( and grandchildren and one great grandchild) in one place as ALL mom's do!

You know, sort of like all of us "high school turned college age son's moms" liked having all of our babies home with us at the party that my sweet life long friends, Sharon and Roy Gilbert hosted! It was a ton of fun! And definitely so great to be re-united with long time friends that we love dearly!

It was the perfect setting for a family party!

I was thrilled that all of my children could be there!

Then, before you knew it was Christmas Eve and we were back at my parent's house! It was a special evening as usual and one that we always treasure. I tried very hard to not focus on all that I had to do to get ready for Christmas morning! ( it was very hard!)

Christmas morning breakfast always consists of "Overnight French Toast Casserole", Sausage-Egg Casserole, Hashbrowns, and Ham Biscuits…it was really yummy!

 ( just very hard to talk about after being sick so I will not elaborate at the moment!)

And for a brief moment as we played Mr. and Mrs. Claus I began to wonder if I was raising another Duck Dynasty son!

But I quickly realized my next blessing! 

#3-My precious children and husband that God so graciously gave me!

( and yes, it's black and white on purpose! It was early Christmas morning!)

Blessing #5, 6, 7 and 8…well, that would be my granddaughter Layton! In all of her spectacular glory! Just look at her! She is radiant! She is also a very talented hair stylist!

Ok…so Zoie was a bit overwhelmed but she survived!

 And then it was time for blessing #9- Christmas Day lunch with Jim's wonderful family! 

So glad we could get this group together! Like I said earlier, "a mom loves to have all of her children in one room at the same time!" This is especially true for my mom and Jim's mom! And we know it so we always want to make that come true if we can!

Yes, count your blessings instead of sheep may just be my new motto for 2013! We've had a lot of people suffer a lot of heartache around us…world wide and then also, very close to home. I am praying for my friend's, the Grote family tonight.

Blessing #10- Is definitely the fact that God blessed me with Eternal life in Him. Without that, everything else is meaningless! Thank You, Lord for Your many blessings!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but would have eternal life." John 3:16

From our home to yours, I hope you have had a very Merry Christmas and look forward to the New Year!

With much love,