looking back...looking forward

Why does this time of year go by so very quickly? We plan and plan and plan some more and then I procrastinate, procrastinate, and procrastinate some more and before I know it-it is over. It is such a beautiful time of year that we all love so much and it is so sad to see it come to an end. This year, I must admit, was a little bit different. I didn't rush around in a buying frenzy and I still haven't shipped all of my presents to my family in Indiana (sorry about that guys). I wasn't necessarily in the Christmas spirit this season as I usually am but when I was, I just wanted to spend time listening to music with my little boy and relaxing at home. We had it easy this year because Gio doesn't quite understand Santa so we have another freebie year and will definitely have to be better about being prepared next year. However, we so badly want to try and celebrate the true reason for the season and not let ourselves get too wrapped up in the commercial aspect of Christmas. I'm sure that is most parents' goal, but when you want to give your child the very best of everything, that goal can easily go by the wayside. Check back with us in December and we'll see how it is going.... 2008 was a great year for our family and we are so blessed to have witnessed this little boy grow and develop into such an amazing little toddler. I can't believe in just a year he went from being our little baby to our little boy-it truly is a miracle. I know that 2009 will be filled with much more laughter and many more big accomplishments for Gio. I am confident that our family's guardian angel will protect us and bring us daily smiles and we look forward to this new year and can't wait to see what 2009 has to offer us. We wish all of our familiy and friends the very best that life has to offer this year. May each day be a new beginning full of hope. May you always know that you are cared about. May you grow from each challenge you face. May you be surrounded by the love of family and friends always.