Thankfull

Another Christmas has come and gone and I am reminded of two things. First, I am very blessed and Second, it is not due to anything I have done and I should be (and I am) very thankful. We spent that last few days before Christmas like everyone else, scrambling to find last minute gifts. Kristin and I set a limit this year and amazingly we both stuck to it (for the most part). We decided to stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning this year and the first thing I am thankful for is family that understands our desire to do that.

Christmas eve we went to a beautiful service at the Lifepoint Stewart's Creek campus. It was a great time with some old friends and many new ones. Over 200 people in the service celebrating Jesus' birth it was a great reminder of what the entire season should be about. Of all the changes this year, merging with Lifepoint has probably been the biggest. It has been a bumpy road at times but we believe that we made the right decision and are excited to see what the future holds for our old/new church family.

Christmas morning Kyndal actually slept until 8:30 and we got to open presents and enjoy our time as a family. Kyndal would open a gift and if you asked her if she liked it she would say "I am not talking" or just shrug her shoulders with her palms in the air. I am thankful that when I asked her what Christmas was about she still said Jesus. After we opened everything we made the drive to Cookeville and spent the rest of the day with Kristin's parents and enjoyed some great time with family. Then, yesterday we got up had breakfast and drove on to Kingston to spend the day with my family. We really appreciate all of our family and have been reminded during this season how important they are. Last night we drove home and looked like a traveling Toys R Us.

Today, we went to church and then spent a lazy day at home. It has been wonderful to relax and get some things done around here. I was able to finish unloading the car, clean the garage and get all of my new electronic gadgets hooked up. I am off tomorrow and plan to spend some more down time, no big plans, no agenda, just a lazy day, hopefully. After a few days at work, we are planning a New Year's party for the first time and really looking forward to it.

So, if I have realized one thing in the last week it is that we are surrounded by great family and wonderful friends. We don't tell you all enough how much you mean to us, we love you all!