There are several things happening in our home and family that have caused me to contemplate the last year even more than I normally would with a New Year approaching.

First, my family and I spent last weekend in Pigeon Forge, TN.  This is something we have done for years now, but this year found me contemplating how this treasured traditon in our family has changed over the years.  The first year we went, the travel party included my parents, myself and my dh, my 2 sisters, and their children.  That year, we were celebrating my Mom's birthday and mine and dh's first anniversary.  My sisters had one child each~my nephew Jake was 4, and my neice, Tori, was 3.  We had a few nice dinners that weekend, and did some Christmas shopping, with a stop in the toy store to get something to amuse the kids while we did our 'grown up' shopping.  Later, we took the kids to the hotel pool~my sisters and my Dad got into the pool with the 2 little ones, while the rest of us sat beside the pool talking, laughing, and taking pictures of the little ones.

Fast forward to December 8-10, 2006.  We are STILL keeping our tradition of spending a weekend in Pigeon Forge as a family, but now, the travel party includes my parents, me, dh, my 2 sisters, and 6 kids~ages 4, 6, 6, 8, 14, and 15.  We did lots of shopping, but we spent a bit longer in the toy store this time.  My 'grown up' shopping required first making sure that all 3 of my munchkins were each 'assigned' to either their Daddy or one of the other adults.  We stuck to Cracker Barrel's and IHOP's this trip, with the exception of one 'fancier' dinner.  This time at the hotel's indoor pool, me, dh, and all 6 kids were in the pool, with my 2 sisters sitting in the lounge chairs beside the pool, with Holly instrucing now 14yo Tori to keep an eye on 6yo Jacey.  15yo Jake had a ball swimming and playing with all the kids, and our 3 delighted in using thier Daddy as a float.

Things were different on this trip , but both trips were SO much fun, and both trips, and all the trips in between, are now treasured memories.  God is so very good to us to bless us with the time, finances, and health to create memories like this.

This trip was a celebration of my Mom's birthday, and of mine and Roger's 12th wedding anniversary on Dec 10.  Wow, talk about changes!!  I could talk about how the world has changed in those 12 years, and how Roger and I have changed personally.  We've been through a lot in 12 years.  But, the thing that stands out to me this morning is how blessed we are with the bond that the Lord has forged between the two of us.  To be so deeply and fully connected to another human being is truly a wondrous and precious gift from God, and one for which I can never thank Him enough.

Blessings,

Mom23munchkins

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