Back to the routine...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all.

We have had a good break from our normal routine to celebrate Jesus' Birthday and to enjoy some good family times together. There were also many great times with several of our friends as well. Certainly, things were different this year and each of us had moments where we needed to take a moment to remember Ann and long for her to still be with us physically.

We didn't do everything that would have normally been done -- that was completely ok as Christ isn't in the cookies... I have to say though that I learned a lot about the immense planning and details that I took for granted in the past -- beyond the cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, dinners, cards, decorations, etc.. Wow -- its a lot to do. Not that I slacked before, but I never really fully appreciated all that was done. Fellas -- if you're reading this please take a moment to thank your wife for all that she does.

In the past few weeks, God has given me the grace to be in the moment and really appreciate the beauty of my daughters and how if the moment is just right how much they reflect their mother's beauty as well. I am blessed with their love and pray that I may lead them closer to Jesus this year through daily prayer and all the love I can channel from Him to them.

We have continued to be touched by the Father's Love in many ways through you -- in your prayers and thoughtfulness in actions. I thank you over and over again.
Hal