1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace

As many of you know Dan and I have had a fair bit of turmoil in our lives over the last two years. On October 23rd my uncle passed away, and this seemed to be my last straw. I haven't had many tears to cry which is my usual way of dealing with stress and pain. I cry it out and somehow am able to release the pain through my tears, well I just don't seem to have many left. I've found myself angry about many of the situation we've been in and especially that my uncle is gone and that my aunt has to face the pain of this new life.

I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I could give her for Christmas. I wanted something that wasn't practical and would bring a smile to her face and heart. I thought and thought and thought and then was struck with an idea. Our friends who live in Marquette, Michigan have some mobiles hanging in their house with driftwood and paper cranes. I always admired these and thought of the Japanese story of healing when I saw them. When we were last in Michigan I gathered some driftwood and rocks to make a mobile to hang in our house. They always brought me a sense of peace. Well I haven't ever gotten this accomplished. So I decided to make one for my aunt for her healing.

As the plan started to come together I slowly started feeling a fog lifting from my heart. I will make one thousand paper cranes; however, I have learned that this may be as much for my healing as it is for her healing.

3 cranes down 997 to go with a smile on my face and a lightness that hasn't been in my heart for quite a while.

The Joy of Being THANKFUL!

Today my baby said, "Hapy gibing, lub you." And so we send that to everyone as it was heart warming and well said. We haven't decorated or been in much Christmas spirit for the last three years so this year is our revitalization. We can't wait to decorate, celebrate and give thanks for Jesus' birth. I hope that I can pass on to my husband and little girl the merriment that was always in my heart around the holidays. I was fortunate enough to be given the joy of everlasting love. Here's to the future. Thank you all for being a part of our lives. We appreciate what each of you has provided us.

She has been our joy!

She has been our joy!

Ava makes us smile when we least expect it.

She follows her daddy around at length.

And lays on River endlessly.

The outdoors are her haven.

Baking with her mama is her passion.

When tears fall, she loves.

When she loves, tears fall.

She has started to say Thank you all the time.

She does something I've asked her to do and

she replies, "Thank you."

She is the medicine that heals all our wounds.

She is the joy the fills our fountain.

She is the peace that finds our heart at just the right moments.

She is the medicine that heals all our wounds.