Christmas Eve

It's hard to believe that a few years ago, Christmas was so different for all of us.  My amazing fiancé was celebrating his last Christmas as a bachelor.  He had no idea what was coming.  He had no idea how much his life would change so soon.  I was celebrating with my kiddos and doing my best to get by.  I had no idea that I'd move across the country and get engaged to the man of my dreams just a few short years later.  I was miserable living in a place that I hated and wanted..no NEEDED a change but wasn't sure how it was gonna come to pass.  If there's any doubt that God moves in mysterious ways, you could just look at our lives and see that.

Fast forward to 2011 and the kids' first Christmas in Colorado.  We were living in a little apartment and I was working 50+ hours a week to try to make sure bills were paid.  We'd scrimped together enough to get some stuff for the kids but it wasn't much.  We relied heavily on the blessings of others to help us get by.  We were so blessed and yet had so little.  We were terrified of making ends meet but we were doing it by the grace of God.  It was a hard year but God provided.

Fast forward to 2012 and our first Christmas in our current house.  We were scrimping by again after having just moved.  We were struggling with other issues but God was providing yet again.  We had to use a fake Christmas tree but we were happy nonetheless.  We managed to get some of the wants and needs and decided that we'd deal as we went.

Now this year: We are being blessed enough to take care of plenty of the wants and needs.  We got a nice, fat fluffy Christmas tree and we've been building up our collection of Christmas goodies little by little.  We're engaged and the kids are getting way too big for their britches.  It's insanity.

So what am I hoping next year looks like?  Well, hopefully they'll be a wedding by then and we'll be in a better place financially, physically and mentally than this year has brought us (surgery, job changes...so much stress for the year).  Ideally we'd be debt-free with four healthy amazing kids that are doing great in school (and activities), us with steady well-paying and great jobs, and looking forward to the many blessings God has in store. 

Merry Christmas Eve!