Secret Santa.

 Tonight we had our annual Secret Santa

gift exchange.  Early in November, each of

our family members draws a name and

purchases a special gift for that person.

 We started the evening off with Rudolph and

Santa pancakes!!!  (Anything with that much

whipped cream is amazing!!!)

I could not have made it without all of my

elves in the kitchen.  This entire day has been

emotional and bittersweet.

 The tears began to flow as I opened our

family picture.  We recently had our family

pictures taken by our resident photog, Sam.

We have not had a chance to have any

of them made.  He chose the very best one

and had it blown up and framed.  Needless

to say, I am not.over.it.yet.

 Mike had drawn Sam's name.  In November,

it took everything he had to go to the mall to

pick out this tool set for Sam.  He wanted to

make sure that I knew where he had hidden

the gift and to wrap it for him for his Sam.

Tears . . . joy . . . tears . . . joy!

Santa's sleigh is packed and ready to fly to

SoCal early in the morning!!!!!

God sent a very special Secret Santa gift to 

me this morning.  Mike has an AMAZING

extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins

who live in Portland, Oregon.  We.love.them.

so.so.so.so.so.so.much!!  They came to 

visit our Dad in July.  Last night we were

really missing them.  We were tinkering around

with the airlines thinking of paying them a

visit . . . I was so excited that Mike's cousin,

Pam emailed me this morning just to say

that she was thinking of us . . . sending hugs . . .

How great is our God.  Amazing.I.know!

It is difficult as I struggle with so many

emotions.  I know with all my heart that He

knows what He is doing, but it is so very,

very painful at the same time!!!!

Secret Santa Blessings!