Grace...

I am reading this book right now...actually "working through it" as it has some interactive self-work to help you grow.  I really am enjoying it BUT I am stuck already...only 33 pages in!  In this section the author encourages you to determine what your passion is, what you truly love.

 "Life Inventory: What are you missing? What makes you feel deeply alive? And how can you fill your heart up with that even if just a tiny bit?"

 It seems like that should be a pretty easy fill in the blank, right?  Well...once I started really thinking about it I couldn't come up with a single thing.   It isn't that I am not missing something or that there aren't things to make me feel deeply alive and fill up my heart, I just don't know what they are anymore.  There was a time when I knew. There was a time when I knew what I loved, what my calling was, what brought me inner peace and joy.  Now, not so much.  So, tonight I am sitting here pondering what to write in that "I love...." area so that I can start adding more of that into the mix of my life and heart but am frustrated that it is so hard!  I think we all want to feel like we know ourselves, but in this season of life I am still floating and trying to figure out where I fit in.  It is like being homesick but not knowing where home is.  

 

Before we totally move on, I thought I would do a quick recap in photos of our holidays!

We [I] started by changing up our tree décor this year.  I have to admit it was a pretty radical shake up in these parts and I got lots of strange looks from the natives when I announced such a rebellious streak in changing the tree!  I decided to use real cotton (still on the bush!), cardinals and burlap as garland.  It was a big departure for me and for the kid,s but I think once it was completed they really liked it!

We even had outside lights this year for the first time in a long time!

Also, I added a touch of Santa to my office space and my Dining Room

Side Board had just a touch of glamour to it! 

 

This is the first year I have been excited about Christmas in several, so it came out in a bit more decorating than I have been doing.  It was nice to feel like a child and get excited when I pulled up to my house at night as saw all the lights twinkling.

And what is Christmas with out some sweet Puppy dog kisses!

I got to visit with a friend's little lovers and they always make me smile!

 

Christmas Eve arrived and the party really started! There was food, crazy antics (that comes naturally when you get all my kiddos and all the dogs under one roof...I lovingly refer to it as the Bumpus Hound Reunion!)

 

For Christmas Eve we went with traditional Low Country Seafood (though those crab legs may have been bought in Georgetown, SC...I have a sneaking suspicion they aren't local....at least the shrimp was fresh off the boat!) My sweet girl made Shrimp and Grits because who doesn't love a little Shrimp and Grits?  I even caught a picture of the newlyweds sneaking a smooch! 







I got some really wonderful gifts from my parents and all my boys I do have to show off a favorite for this year (just overlook my first thing in the morning look....Santa still manages to wake my children up early on Christmas Morning!)  It is a portrait from my very special Daughter and Son-in-love's wedding. I will cherish it always because it has all my family included. I can't wait to get it framed and find just the right place to hang it so I can see all of my loves every day.

 

I was blessed to have vacation between Christmas until actually tomorrow (though work will sneak in today I am sure!) so there were some fun times just enjoying free time.  On New Year's Eve I got to walk the red carpet and felt quite like a movie star!  It was a major departure from last year when I think I slept through it!

Welcome 2017!

 

May your year be filled to the brim with abiding joy!