Lot's of gifts ~ Lot's of blessings

We have received so many blessings this year. We have been wrapped in love and generosity. Overwhelming.

It's a Wii!!!!!!! (from Grandma Katie)

It's a cute baby!!!(from Courtney and David)

Lunch with family & friends (from Claim Jumper)

play time with friends (from being 9 & silly)

Christmas Eve with cousins & almost cousins (from Uncle James - who is getting married soon!) Puppies on Christmas morning (always sweet & naive)


Presents under the tree that you have no idea how they got there (like the Coach purse for me that magically appeared - no one seams to know................mystery)
Christmas morning in our PJ's at Grandma's house with everyone (Chaotic Fun)
sweet letters from DJ to each one of us (pure & heartfelt)
pillows made of John's ties (from Lindsey with Tears, Love & Sincerity)
Grandpa Rojas (who tried really hard to be Merry and hide his grieving)

The Rojas Cabin (my escape)

Wiiing at the cabin.......... (addicting)

I swear we did do other things (like snowboarding, eating, shopping, pool at Chad's and ummmmm wiiing!!) Never mind the fact that Amber had to come take the remotes out of me and Cathi's hands at 1:00 in the morning cuz' we weren't gonna stop!!!

To end the 07' Christmas season - a night out with the girls to see the "Rockettes" Christmas Show (which was surprisingly good).

I am most thankful for the gift of Christ and what a difference he and his promises have made in my life. He gives me hope, peace, and comfort ~ Overwhelming.

love the season your in..........

wheew, the last few weeks have been a whirl wind. So much to do and so little time to do it. We are trying really hard to keep the holiday spirit - the real holiday spirit! Here is just a glimpse into what life at the Rojas- Lakin abode has been like:

Theatre play "School House Rock". Mandy, Heather, DJ and Taylor were all in it.

Homework Party at our house (might as well make it fun!)

Church Play

Mandy played twins with one of her best friends whose name is also Amanda R.!

Then later that night we went to a spectacular party on the Mission Viejo Lake!

Then the next night it was Mom's turn to party with friends from High School.

I also had Bunco, another friend party, a work party, an ornament exchange, and a one day trip up to the cabin!

breath,

and moving on...

The next weekend we were off to My Aunt Lois' annual "Santa Party"

Some of the kids of our family and friends!!

Mandita :}

Amber

Cute Santa - but he scared Amber just a bit.

Ashley............

~Andrew~

We are not sure how much longer Andrew gets to sit on Santa's lap but he is going to keep kissing up until then!

This is our new revised family photo.

The holidays have not been easy on the kids. They all miss John so much - we all do. This was his favorite time of year. I think he thought he was Santa in his previous life :} I've told the kids that it is ok and normal to be sad and miss him, but we also need to make new memories and traditions - as hard as that sounds. That is what he would want. And that we also need to remember what this holiday is all about - Christ birth. And for that we should celebrate!

We need a little less of this:

and this:

And alot more of this:

& this.......................

Merry Christmas!!!!

Giving thanks.....................

Well, we made it through another holiday! We were up in Big Bear at our cabin with my whole family (except Tracy, Heath & fam). We really had a good time, the girls said it was one of their funnest. I feel so blessed to have such a loving, fun, crazy, and warm family. Here is about a thousand pictures for a thousand memories :}

Pealing potatoes...............

Lessons from Dad on how to carve the perfect turkey (not that they needed it- but now they know)

knock knock......who's there?...............Olive..................Olive who?

OLIVE U!!!!

Blessings.The kids made everyone name cards, then we mixed them up, picked one, and had to write something we were thankful for that person.

Then we read what was written about us.

Wet eyes followed.

After some awesome family worship (ending with "Old McDonald's Farm for Lily") we played a competitive game of CHENEY CATCHPHRASE

"whippersnapper" being the favorite word of the night!!!!

wishbone - ohhh both of you cuties make a wish...............

Lots of baby lovin', holdin', and kissin' goin' on...........

Some outdoor activities:

shopping

mountain biking

tree surfing

waiting for the "Tree Lighting" in the village - super cold - 18 degrees - didn't stay long.

p.s. Yes, Mandy did not take this black hat off all 4 days we were there!

lovins from my cousins

photo op's on the boardwalk

As I look back on the year behind me it's kind of a blur. I felt almost like "let's just get this 1st year thing over with". But now looking back I see I have so much to be thankful for - God has blessed my family and I in so many ways.

• Things I'm thankful for:
• God's promises
• God's grace
• my children
• 12 years with John Eric Rojas
• my Mom and Dad
• my brother & sisters (& in-laws)
• my nieces and nephews
• My Aunts & Uncles
• grandmothers and grandfathers
• cousins
• good Friends
• good neighbors
• my dogs, cats & FISH
• a roof over my head
• a dependable car to drive (bonus - it's pretty)
• the cabin - my retreat
• mountains & beach
• foot rubs
• my bed
• chocolate covered bananas (Trader Joes)
• competition reality shows (amazing race)
• comfy couches (to watch the above)
• The promise that I'll someday see my loved ones who are in heaven
• my sense of humor (like when you can laugh at yourself - when you think your daughter is taking pictures of you and really she has pushed VIDEO instead) - lovely.
  
  

oh, there is the picture button.

As you look back I hope you find many things to be thankful for. I'm also looking forward - to seeing what God has in store for me in the coming year.