Charlotte's bit of Heaven on Earth: 2019 Recap

You never can guess what life will bring- the good or the trying.

No matter how trying or unsure things have been, I am grateful for many, many things. I'm firstly grateful that our challenges are mine. I hope to become a diamond after our refiner's fire and feel so blessed to have the joy of my kids and the support of family. I feel it is because of my good parents that we have stayed afloat.

It has been our privilege to stay in my parent's home the past while. Although it becomes a joke that none of us are ever going to grow up or move out (and I mean none of us because there are 10 of us at home... once 11 or 12), it has been a most treasured experience.

After being raised 18+ years under the roof of my parents, I still have more to learn from them. I am in complete awe of their utter selflessness, sacrifice, and generosity towards all men and women. Their love extends far beyond the walls of their home. I have loved seeing their interactions with my own kids- the patience and tender moments of teaching, singing, reading, and making silly faces. They always seem to know how to turn a frown upside down and make light the teary situations. I am encouraged to be a better and kinder mother by being here. I hope to never forget the moments of my mom rocking my babies and talking to them like a real human, only angelical; how my kids run to grandpa's office to get endless stickers; how grandma always has some sort of sugar stashed somewhere for my kids- and they know it; how Adam goes to my dad and says "Ahhh" and waits for a spray of butter; how Eden and my dad have their own language they speak; how Adam likes to sneak out of bed to stay with grandma and grandpa; we are so lucky.