Blessed Journeys in 2009!

The holidays have arrived. The journey has been busy as we visited family in Ohio the weekend before and family in Virginia the weekend after Christmas day. Now we celebrate the dawning of a brand new year and a new chapter in our journey of life, family, Church, adoption, etc.. There's something so refreshing about new beginnings, isn't there?

Just yesterday, we celebrated our son's seventeenth birthday. Where have the years gone? It seems like only a few years ago that we made that trip to the hospital where many hours later, our son was born. Now he is driving, finishing his junior year of high school, making plans for college and becoming an incredible young man. It doesn't seem possible that time has passed so quickly. A few months ago, our daughter turned twenty. How did that happen when "just yesterday" I would place them in their carseats in our first minivan and take them out for Happy Meals every Friday night? Now they are building individual lives with school, goals, relationships, and dreams of their own. We are indeed blessed as we watch them grow and develop into the precious lives they have been given. It's been a wonderful journey so far with them. It has simply passed way too quickly.

Now we realize that a new year is once again upon us and we continue to move forward as individuals, as a family, as spouses, as parents, as children, as siblings, etc.. We are once again reminded that seasons come and go all too quickly and each precious moment is a gift to be cherished. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was in college making plans and dreams about my own future? Wasn't it just a few short years ago that I married that handsome guy from Ohio? Wasn't it just a blink away that we became parents for the first and second times? Wasn't it just a moment ago that we bought our first house, their first bikes and they began school? Actually, we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year....unbelievable!!! Our daughter is almost halfway through her college career. Our son has only a year and a half left in high school. And we're seriously praying about purchasing another house in the future. Yes....the seasons quickly come and go...but each season is full of purpose, joy and blessings. We cannot stop time nor can we decrease or increase its pace. But we can certainly enjoy and embrace the gift of each moment.

So today, as the first day of 2009 shines brightly in our lives, we are grateful for another beginning. We are thankful that new seasons await us. We are embracing today and the joy of having our children home. We appreciate the new memories made with family and friends over the past week or two. We are excited about the opportunities that lie before us with new friendships, new seasons and new beginnings. We embrace today...this moment...the gift of each breath...and the blessings that surround us from past, present and future seasons.

And yes...our hearts continue to ache for a little girl or two in China who have captured our hearts forever. We long for the day that we can hold her and bring her home. We long for the moments we can watch her eyes twinkle with excitement, joy, love and assurance in her Forever Family. Although time passes so quickly in other areas, the time we wait for her seems to pass ever so slowly. Yet we realize that each moment, each day, each effort and each step in this season are purposeful in our journey to our baby girl/s. We must cherish this part of the journey for it is what makes it all complete in His perfect plan and timing. It wouldn't be the same if it happened any other way.

So as the journey continues, may your journey in 2009 be full of love, joy, peace, hope and good health. May each moment be a gift in your life. May your life be full and purposeful. May your new beginnings bring life to your years and years to your life. May you always know that you are special, loved, cherished and blessed. Thank you for blessing our lives in the many different ways you do. Thank you for walking beside us in our journey. Thank you for allowing us to walk beside you in yours. Remember you are never alone! Blessings to all of you in this new year!
Cherishing each moment,
Terri & Family