On December 1^st I received the most wonderful Christmas gift from my dear friend, Sheila.  A lovingly-made, personalized advent calendar! Each day leading up to Christmas holds a special photo of one of our family’s blessings covered by a numbered paper flap tied on with a ribbon. We immediately untied the first flap to discover a sweet photo of my hubby and me. Oh, the temptation to untie them all! The past nine days have revealed photos of each of our children involved in some of their unique interests and talents: my oldest daughter knitting, my youngest dancing and holding her puppy, my oldest son playing his guitar, my middle guy on his four-wheeler, my preemie boy in the hospital weighing a mere two pounds and then the very next photo was him proudly blowing out two birthday candles, and of course a photo of my dear friend and I on the porch of our under-construction log home.

You lap-bookers have probably already figured it out, but in case you are still wondering, she constructed it using two pocket folders overlapped to make a tri-fold book. The insides are covered with scrapbook paper.

          I  just can’t get over this unique gift! The picture I took doesn’t do it justice. I’m so blessed to have such thoughtful friends who can encourage me to see what’s really important when the stresses of life seem blinding. The Christmas tree in front of my calendar was a gift from another special friend. She decorated it with the cutest homemade prim ornies. Not only can I see these special gifts and remember how the Lord has blessed our family, but I’m reminded of the blessing of friendship and I’m truly thankful!