Christmas Eve-Eve Family Blessings

I'm including my candle from last night here because of a fantastic light that was lit. You know that ever since Becky and Bruce's newest young one Isaac was born we have spoken of having 14 grandchildren -- all listed on the header of my blog. Last night Jamie and Dale's Pastor spoke of the beauty of the whole family, regardless of marital status, step-status, in-law status or any other factor. As I listened I realized that we don't just have 14 grandchildren. We have 17!! Plus two great-grandchildren.

How did we do that so fast? Ever since Dale became a vital member of our family as he was joined together with Jamie as Husband and Wife, I have spoken of his children in just that way -- Dale's children and grand-children! But as precious as that relationship is, it's even better than that! They are not only Dale's children, when Dale and Jamie were married, Dale's children became our Grand Children! And his grandchildren became our Great Grandchildren!

Here are our two newest granddaughters in the middle, Melissa and Tresa, and Tresa's daughers, Fayth (on the left) and Hope (on the right).

Here's another of Fayth with her Daddy, Travis. And in the next picture sitting next to Travis is Dale's son Doug.

Remember, folks, you get to pick your friends, but your family comes as a package deal. Our joy is to love them all -- every one of us. We're so blessed to have had our family grow as it has!