A New Year

It's difficult to believe 2014 is coming to an end. In so many ways I'm happy to welcome a new year but I'm also wishing time could pause for a second or at the very least, slow down.  Through all of the highs, lows, ups and downs it's been a memorable year. I distinctly remember this time last year where I couldn't wait for 2014 to begin as 2013 was filled with much heartache. 2014 brought it's own forms of heartache and challenges but it also brought an abundance laughter of joy - both figuratively and literally. 

We set out to conquer in 2014 and conquer we did! My mom conquered 6 months of chemotherapy and is cancer free since April. Ryder conquered 2 more surgeries as well as several other milestones and my hubby and I conquered the roller coaster of life...we continued a sweet dance in the midst of a storm. We managed to find joy in the middle of heartache and our pain united us even stronger as a couple and grounded us further into our faith. Challenges and heartbreak can either tear you apart or make you stronger -- pushing you to reach depths of compassion and love that you never thought possible. We've taken sorrow and transformed it into furthering our foundation for our marriage, our family and our personal relationships with God. I am oh so grateful for all that 2014 has taught us....about eachother, ourselves and our Creator. 

Happy New Year and we welcome 2015 with nothing but gratitude and smiles! 

Stocking Christmas!

Christmas was absolutely fabulous! We soaked up every second of joy that this holiday season brings! We loved watching Ryder open his gifts, although he was more interested in tearing and picking up the wrapping paper than playing with his actual gifts. 

Christmas Eve began with daddy recovering from the stomach flu, a hot fire and Christmas movies. We also had Ryder open his first gift on Christmas Eve. Daddy put together Ryder J's new car tower as Ryder crumbled up wrapping paper. 

Ryder J thought the box was pretty fun! 

Car tower success! 

Christmas morning, Ryder J didn't wake up until 8:30am. Mommy and daddy were anxiously awaiting for him to wake up because he's normally up by 7am. When Ryder finally did wake up he was ready for the day! 

After opening our gifts, Ryder took his morning nap and then it was off to grandma and grandpas to enjoy the day with cousins, aunts, uncles and more family! 

Grandma shared the true meaning of Christmas with all of the grandkids - the birth of baby Jesus! I love cousin Joshy's hand on Ryder's back. 

Some cousin wrestling took place in the midst of the Christmas story. 

The story ended with prayer, Ryder stood up and folded his hands while grandma prayed.  Mommy melted. 

After the special story it was time to open gifts followed by a beautiful Christmas dinner. 

Unfortunately, dinner ended a bit early for the Stocking family because it was mommy's turn to come down with the stomach flu (hence the reason there aren't photos of everyone opening gifts or enjoying dinner). I am still recovering from the flu as we speak but being in bed all day allowed me some time to update the blog. Merry Christmas and happy birthday Jesus! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! O come let us adore Him!