Happy New Year - Some of our Favorite Blessings

"What came to be through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it."

From John chapter 1 Gospel reading at Mass on Christmas day. As I heard these words read on Christmas day, I felt a sense of peace and comfort come over me. We all experience darkness throughout our lives. Our Spence Ohana did in 2012, but His light saw us through it. The darkness of sin has blanketed the world, yet His light will see us through it.  We should all be so humbled and thankful He loves us incredibly so.

This New Year's day I thought it would be fun to share some blessings we received at Christmastime. Oma & Opa and Nana & Poppi really spoiled us. :) We planned on not spending much on gifts this year since we treated our family to a trip to a NFL game - but as you can see the gifts were plentiful from the grandparents, family & friends.

We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary mid 2012, which means our everyday dinnerware also turned 10. Those dishes survived moving out of state twice, 2 kids, and served countless meals. Some of them were chipped, some of them the ceramic was cracking and some of them broke. So my parents wanted to bless us with new dinnerware this Christmas!!! And they got us 2 sets...16 place settings! We chose all white this time, that way in the future chips are less noticeable. ;)

Our toaster oven (which I use almost daily) and our toaster were both on their last legs. So both parents got us these new appliances! Such a blessing. It's funny how when you're a thirty-something-adult - stuff for your home and everyday life go to the top of your wish lists. Stephen's parents also got us an awesome new cooler. One of those roller kind with a pull bar and cup holders. Perfect for our family since the kids are into sports now. It will make those Saturday games much easier for toting everything onto the field. Thank you Mom & Dad Nix and Mom & Dad Spence!!!

The kids have really been enjoying their gifts from Santa. They asked Santa for a Baby Alive and a Remote Control Helicopter and Santa delivered. ;) Meet Brittany, Madeline's new baby. She takes a bottle, coos and giggles and kicks her legs...and yes, she pees. Madeline was blessed by family to get all the accessories for her too including a whole package of diapers, several outfits and bibs, juice formula, a highchair and bed. Madeline is definitely trying to per-fect her mothering skills.

James is thrilled with his two favorite gifts shown here...his helicopter from Santa and his monster slippers from Mom & Dad. He loves to fly his helicopter around our den and scare Penny. He's actually gotten pretty good at landing the helicopter. We were blessed in 2012 and at Christmas. We pray for God's grace & blessings upon all of you this 2013!