2013 Christmas Family Letter

Counting our Blessings

Winward’s 2013

When upon our pillows we are tempest tossed,

Time to get up already?  Surely all is lost!

Bleary eyed we stumble to the living room,

Morning prayer soon lifts us from our sleepy gloom.

Count our many blessings:

Paul’s thyroid cancer’s gone!

Count our many blessings:

Eric’s talking up a storm!

Count our many blessings:

Peter’s been baptized!

Count our many blessings:

Pie night with 9 pies!

Sometimes I feel burdened with a load of care.

I admit, I pray we’ll find clean underwear.

Mountainous loads of laundry from a crew of      

  loving kin,

Race to fold and hang them before it’s time to do   

  again!

Count our many blessings:

Eric buses to preschool!

Count our many blessings:

Peter’s like a  fish in the pool!

Count our many blessings:

Kathryn’s finally in nursery!

Count our many blessings:

Our 12th anniversary!

When we look at others with their lands of gold,

We know we are blessed with love, a wealth

  untold.

Count our many blessings, money cannot buy,

Giggles and sticky kisses before the day is nigh.

Count our many blessings:

Completely out of debt!

Count our many blessings:

Rimsky is our big cat pet!

Count our many blessings:

The kids now rollerblade!

Count our many blessings:

Dirt yard, now grass will never fade!

So amid the conflict, homework, making meals,

We’ll not be discouraged, overwhelmed with bills,

Scriptures, prayers and kisses, hugs and stories  

  too,

Everyone’s tucked in, why are we tired? Phew!

Count our many blessings:

Carol Lynn loves going to school!

Count our many blessings:

Our Oregon trip was so cool!

Count our many blessings:

Rebekah’s music skills grow!

Count our many blessings:

Christine’s beginning to show!

Merry Christmas!  Love, The Winwards

Paul, Christine, 

Rebekah (10), Peter (8), 

Carol Lynn (6), Eric (3 ½), 

Kathryn (20 months), baby boy (due mid-April)