Happy New Year!!

I attempted to put together a collage with all my favorites from the past year but it just wasn't working out. So here's the Christmas card picture. Tonight our family squeaked in one more new tradition before the last of the Christmas decorations were sent out to the barn. We each wrote out our hopes, dreams and prayers for the coming year and then placed them in our stockings not to be peeked at until next year when the boxes are pulled out again. It was a good time of reflection. It was fun to see what Sam and Maggie wrote and I helped Millie brainstorm a few things to go along with the beautiful picture she drew. Josie Kate's was all about drawing circles but I added a couple to her list also. At the top of all our lists is the prayer that next year when we sit down for our Christmas card picture there will be one more little person snuggling up with us. I am beyond excited to see what God has in store for our family in 2011. I pray He continues to press on our hearts and grow us, to help us see beyond our safe little bubble and reach out to those in need. To be courageous and look different. To follow Him...no.matter.what. And I pray for peace in this time of waiting for our family and for all of those in pursuit of the children that God has chosen for them. Those going out right now to bring their babies home, those beginning the journey and those that are just feeling the tug on their hearts. It feels like we were just there...the tugging and praying and now it's a year later and we can't wait for our 5th little monkey to come home! Happy New Year!!

P.S. The stocking idea came from this amazing blog!!