a different kind of Christmas

This year is definitely going to be different for Christmas. I have always loved this time of year....all of it! The music, the festivities, baking cookies, presents, making big x-mas dinners with the family, celebrating with friends, even the snow! I also usually transform our house for the holiday. I have different bathroom decor, throw pillows, christmas villiages, you name it! I go all out. But this year is different. This year does not feel festive. We did put up a tree because I felt we should acknowledge all of Noah's ornaments he got last year for his first Christmas. And we are continuing to get more this year for him from people that want us to have special things to remember Noah by. So many people have sent cards, emails, facebook messages, gifts, etc just acknowledging that this is going to be an incredibly difficult holiday for us. I want to thank you so much for all your support. It is people like you that help us survive this. I've decided against the term "Get through this". Because what is there to get through? It's not an obstacle to overcome, or something that we'll ever be "over". We can't get better from this as Noah won't be coming back. We just have to survive it. It's the only option we're given. So that is what we are going to do. I'm not sure exactly how but I have to have faith that 2011 will bring us some joy. I don't know what could actually bring us joy right now, but something has to. It has to get better. 


We're determined to continue to help raise money for 2 organizations that are extremely important to us. If you want to donate  to either of these causes you can do so online at the links below. What a great way to help out and pay it forward this holiday season! 

SIDS Research - you can donate in Noah's name
Multiple Myeloma - you can donate in my mom's name - Jodi Eggenberger


Here's my Christmas wish: please stop complaining. I'm so sick and tired of people that complain about how hard their life is and how things didn't go according to their "plan". Or someone cut them off on the drive in, the holidays are stressful, there's so much to do, I don't know how I'm going to get it all done, their kid is sick, they hate the weather, etc, etc, It's so frustrating! Everytime I want to say, "you know it can be worse, right?" Why do we complain so much? I am SO guilty of this, I will admit. However, now nothing phases me. Nothing else really bothers me that much because I've already experienced the worst possible thing in the entire world. So I ask you this - when you're about to complain about something stop and think for a second...is this really something necessary to complain about? If your family member is ill, you are struggling for money, someone died, or something else that really is life altering - that is one thing. But sometimes you really don't have it all that bad. Lets try to be grateful for what we have. Be grateful that you have your families, your children, your friends. Don't take a day for granted because you never know when it could be someone's last day. Don't ever bank on having next year or another day to do something. Do it now, because trust me...life is short and full of surprises. It's the one thing we really can't control. 


Wishing everyone a happy holiday. Please take a special moment to think of my angel Noah who only got 1 Christmas. Lets be thankful for all the years we've been given.