Merry Christmas

Our Family (Missing Josh & Jullien)

As I've become older, I've realized that nothing is as special as family. Even with all it's drama...family is the most important thing we have in our lives.

This Christmas was my first time without Jullien, who wasn't able to come home from New York. Luckily, all our other children live close and we were surrounded by love, and laughter.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my sister-in-laws house, we at tamales (Costa Rican & Mexican style.) We exchanged gifts & we tried something new this year to keep the costs down. Each of the older kids brought $20.00 gift cards, & did the 'white elephant' gift card exchange for the first time. It made it really fun for them, especially when they found out they could take each other's gifts...definitely a lot of laughing, yelling & trying to hide the most sought after gift cards from each other!

Adam & Elijah rough housing w/cousins

THE GIRLS (Nieces, Sister-in-laws, & step-daughter)

Christmas morning, we opened presents with our kids & headed off to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. After an amazing service, I was still wiped out from my 4 hour, non-sleep nights over the past week...so we took a nap. Later that evening we headed out to Glendora for Christmas dinner with my sister, Stacy, Jay & family. I'm so grateful she's such an amazing cook, because, I'M NOT!

It was another joyous, wonderful year spent with the love of my family...I'm truly blessed! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Elijah posing w/his new Pierre Cardin

Joshy & gf Charmaine-joined us later @ my sister's house

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!

And So This Is Christmas & A Happy New Year

The holiday is winding down and tomorrow will be my 11 yr. wedding anniversary. Normally every year we go away somewhere, but this years a little tight, so we're staying local. I'm sure I'll come up with something free for us to do. Besides living by the beach is a constant vacation.

That was just a little preview of my New Year's resolution...find the good in all things. Look for the positive in every situation and stop focussing on the things that are not going my way or I don't have. There's always something good in every situation. This past year has been a life lesson, learning to be frugal, budgeting, being wise with our money. Sometimes diffuculties are lessons, once you make it through, you look back and say, "I've learned so much!"

I'm going to make it a New Year of being grateful in ALL things.

My life is blessed!

Goodbye 2010:

and so this was Christmas, I hope you had fun...























What's your New Year's resolution?