On our way home from New York, Dave and I talked about our hopes and dreams for 2009 and beyond. We are praying about several decisions that would radically change our lives. More on that later!

My question for today: What huge decision(s) have you made that totally changed your life — for the better?

Here are a few pictures from our trip to New York.

We will post more pictures in the next couple of days but wanted to say hi!

Here is a picture of the view from Dave’s parents’ front window. Beautiful, huh?!

Can you?

I’m not sure if I can.

To live by faith, to be a voice of hope and to by known by love*…that is my mission! And that is where my focus is heading into 2009.

What do you plan to focus on in this new year?

* Adapted from Mosaic.org.

To Carmen:

“Lord, look down from heaven above and touch this special child with love. Protect and guide this little one, until each and every day is done. Remind us often that it’s true: This little life is a gift from you. A miracle you’ve sent our way, Lord bless this little child today.”

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad from Dave © on Vimeo.

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

…

Wooden nativity we bought in Guatemala when we brought Carmen home

We had a nice Christmas Eve. We each opened one present and saved the rest for tomorrow morning. I cooked breakfast for dinner: chocolate chip and plain pancakes, hash browns, and scrambled eggs with cheese. We have enough for tomorrow morning so we can have leftovers on Christmas morning!

We hope you all had a very merry Christmas Eve!

One of Dave’s coworkers gave him a Starbucks ornament for Christmas. She knows him very well!

P.S. Did anyone notice the burned out light on our tree?

We’ve had our ups and downs with nursing care. Some of you may remember the Robinul/Tylenol mess when a nurse overdosed Carmen on both medications. I didn’t trust anyone with Carmen for a long time after that.

We prayed and prayed that God would send the perfect nurses for Carmen. He answered those prayers. We now have two RNs who are competent and easy to have in our home. I feel that Carmen is safe and very well cared for. Our prayer now is that they will stay!

One of Carmen’s nurses braids her hair. I think you can see the braid in this picture.

January- Carmen got her feeding tube. We celebrated one year home with Carmen!

Feburary- Dave, Carmen and I went to our church’s annual Valentines Day banquet. Carmen also went to a whole bunch of doctor visits this month.

March- We went to the Annual Tay Sachs Family Conference in Tampa, Fl. This was a highlight of our year — spending a weekend with families who understand everything. And meeting precious children who are so very loved. After the conference, we spent one day at Disney World!

April- Carmen was hospitalized with RSV. Later in the month she was again hospitalized with breathing problems.

May- We became debt-free! We started Hospice services for Carmen.

June- This was our month of adventures. We got stuck in the mall during a tornado and Lauren swallowed a marble. We went to a picnic and literally got drenched 5 minutes after arriving. Even our hotdogs were soaked through!

July- Lauren spent two weeks with her NY grandparents. Carmen turned two. 160 people came to Carmen’s birthday party, including my mom and two of my brothers as well as Dave’s parents, grandmother and aunt. (My MOPS group hosted Carmen’s party.)

August- Dave and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary! Good friends watched Carmen so we could go to New York City for a night.

September- Lauren got glasses! And started 4 year old preschool.

October- Dave turned 34.

November- Lana turned 33.

December- Lauren turned 5.

Well, there you go. I bet most of you had a more interesting and exciting year! Ours was filled with real moments. Ups and downs. Laughs and good cries. I wonder what 2009 has in store for us.

Merry Christmas!!!

Love, Dave, Lana, Lauren and Carmen

P.S. While I was typing this, I heard sirens. They kept getting louder and louder. I looked out our front window and 5 fire trucks and an entourage of emergency vehicles drove through our neighborhood. I looked all around for the blazing fire. Nope, its Santa. On the back of a fire engine. Waving. It’s been 30 minutes and I can still hear them making their way through the town. We live in a weird country. I can’t stop laughing!

P.S.S. Happy 29th month birthday to Carmen! We love you lots and are so very glad you are here with us! And also, happy 34th birthday to Uncle Tony today.

Lauren’s gingerbread house, a birthday present from two good friends

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German poet, novelist, playwright, scientist and philosopher (1749-1832)

This quote both inspires me (something to shoot for, a goal to try to achieve) and convicts me (man, do I have a long way to go!).

Do you have any great quotes about character?