weekend

Courtney and I had a really meaningful weekend. My parents picked up our three older children early Saturday morning and kept them for a two day sleepover. From what I've heard so far, they are having a wonderful time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This allowed us some time to be together and let things sink in. It was a very emotional weekend, and I think we both feel a little more at peace after it. Courtney's energy is actually up, which I attribute to her amazing attitude. She the type who, when you outline for her the obstacles in front of her, will dig in and press forward. She doesn't shy way from anything. Saturday night, after a long discussion, she decided she wanted to try and venture out and attend the concert of a choral group she was part of but had to leave due to her surgery. It was an amazing Christmas concert and she was so happy to be there. Of course she had mixed feelings, as she wished she could be an active part in it, but I think it was really good, and therapeutic, for her to be out and be a part of something that she loves. She was so enthused by the concert that she felt like doing something else on the way home, so we stopped and did a little Christmas shopping. She help onto my arm through most of it, but did surprisingly well. On Sunday, our church choir surprised us by coming by and singing a few Christmas hymns in our entryway. It was a really wonderful experience for us to witness the love of the good people around us and their willingness to go out of their way to simply brighten our lives. We spent the day cleaning and re-organizing our home and then a couple of Courtney's siblings and families joined us for a dinner they brought to us. In the middle of that we were again greeted by carolers, this time a very large group from our neighborhood and what I assume is their family.

This Christmas season we are feeling especially grateful for a loving Father in heaven who knows our pains, hopes, and joys. Celebrating the gift that He gave us in his Son has never felt as meaningful to me. We were really overwhelmed (yet again) by all the responses, emails, and calls that you sent to us, and we feel the power of your prayers daily. Thank you for making this Christmas season such a sweet one. We love you all and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! (To my Jewish friends, I wish you a Happy Hanukkah as well.)

By the way, here's a new picture of our little Jocelyn that we took last night.