Happy New Year!

Well the new year has begun!!!! A fresh new year.

We had the opportunity to spend some time with Stephen's family this past week. Unfortunately, Glenda, Bruce, Stephanie, and Seth were not able to make it. It is sometimes tough to be everywhere when families live in opposite directions. We hope that they enjoyed their Christmas as they celebrated with the Tebbens. Some time with the Tammings was much anticipated. Stephen packed the van full with all the stuff - and it was much fuller when we returned home.

Stephen was excited to bring along his table hockey game and the Wii console. It was great to hear the excitement at the kitchen table as the hockey tournament progressed. It was like Stephen and Kevin were young guys again. Nicole, Meagan, and Sarah loved to have time with their "other" cousins. Once the Mii characters were set up and the bowling games began. It was fun to watch how "into" the game everyone was. It was like being in an actual bowling alley when Johan and Anita were tossing the ball down the lane. You had to watch where you sat in order to avoid the setup, swing and release of the virtual ball. Sarah surprised most by how well a four year old can master the bowling game.

Last night we had a quiet evening with just the five of us. We curled up on the couch or laid down on the floor as we watched a movie and later saw the ball drop. After all the excitement of the last week it was a great to have a quieter way to spend some time together.

This past year has been quite, well how should I put it........unexpected. It has been by far the hardest in our married and family life. We have had to fight and continue to fight the battle with cancer and all its miserable side effects - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Each one of us in our own ways and with each other. Each one of us growing through it and shaped by it. We have had to make choices in our activities have brought blessings and criticisms for our actions. As we reflected on this past year, the difficult times were showered with unexpected blessings.

Here are a few of the blessings that we have experienced this past year. I probably will not list each one because God just showers us so much I often tend to forget.
-the continuous prayers lifted up when I was too weak to utter a word
-the flowers that arrived when I needed a reminder of the beautiful life God gives us each day
-the pieces of jewelry that sparkle like only good things do helping us look good and feel better
-the meals that arrived when I was worrying about what to make for supper
-the family photos done by Sandra Reiger when I needed smiles to be captured forever
-the surprise 40th party for Stephen when I needed a moment to celebrate a wonderful man
-the camping and cottage vacations when I need some rest and relaxation
-my parents' 40th anniversary parties when I needed a reminder that God is present through all the times listed in a wedding vow
-the new school friends when I wondered how my children are settling in
-the encouragement from other cancer victims when I feared the worst of this disease
-the help from family when I was unable to do it myself
-the joy of the girls when I needed to see and feel joy
-and lastly but just as importantly, the love of a husband who has see, felt, and heard everything from his wife when I really did not warrant it.

All these and many more were given not because I deserved them but just because God and others loves me so much.

Looking forward to new blessed year!