Saying Goodbye & Other Updates

So, this past weekend I went to Denver for my grandma's funeral. I have been writing and rewriting this update in my head all week. What do I say about a saying goodbye to a woman who was so very many things to me. The only word I can come up with is bitter sweet...
This woman was an inspiration to me and so many others as witnessed by the crowd at her funeral. She lived life to the fullest, loved with all of her heart, gave in every sense of the word, cared for people in need and brought a smile to everyone in her presence. She was one of my best friends. I loved chatting with her, laughing with her, sharing my life with her and being able to share in hers. She listened to my problems and advised me with wisdom and love. She was wise and loving and good and kind and I will miss her for the rest of my life. My only solace in her loss is in knowing that if there was anyone that she loved more than her family it was her God. Because of that love and her faith that she shared with me and taught me to know, I WILL see her again... That will get me through.
As close as I was with my grandma, I hardly know the rest of that family. My biological father - her son - was not a part of my life until I was an adult and even then, not a big - or good - part. So, there were no summer get aways to visit the aunts, uncles and cousins. I had met a few of them once or twice and that was years ago, this weekend I got to know them a little bit better and I have to say it was great!! I hope that this can be a new beginning, we are all adults now and seemed to get along pretty well so I hope that this can be the start of a few beautiful friendships.
Everything else is good - Hubby stayed at home with the girls and did great with them - as I fully expected. I cannot begin to tell you what a HUGE blessing it is to know that I am married to a man who is not only fully capable of being there for me in any way, but is also willing to support me in anything and everything that I need. I love him with all of my heart and KNOW that I am the luckiest - most blessed - woman in the world!!!
Sophie is getting bigger all of the time - up to about 15lbs now (gasp!!) and is such a sweet happy baby!! Hattie is so beautiful, sweet and smart.. I am amazed, humbled and blessed on a daily basis that I get to be their mommy. They enrich my life in a million different ways and I LOVE them completely!
Can you believe that it is almost Christmas? Where does the time go - no, really where?!?!?! I have wiplash from trying to watch it fly by! I have to say that I have ALWAYS loved Christmas, but as a mom it is sooooooo different. I am not under the tree shaking my presents, I am shaking theirs - when Hubby allows them to be placed there at any time before Christmas Eve (he knows me way to well!!). I am so excited to see their faces Christmas morning. But even more, I am so excited to see them come to know the REASON for Christmas. I want them to know Jesus, His healing love and His redeeming power. I want them to be saved and to go to Heaven. I want to spend eternity with them and I want them to spend eternity with God... I pray that I can be the parent that they need me to be and that includes being a witness to their Father in Heaven!
So, that brings this post full circle - Grandma (and my mom and so many others) shared her faith with me and brought me to where I am today and, so, I hope and pray that I can do the same for my daughters and stepsons. It is the most important job I have in this life