Sunday, January 9, 2011

the year in review

dear emily,

it made my heart sing to hear (wow, i just saw that 'hear' is the
root of 'heart') that matt called hans to talk about our 'year in
review.'  my children have the wisest father, who is more given
to them than any father i have ever known.

the year in review is a great example of that.  every january, he
spends time with each of the kids talking about the milestones of
the year before.  they all groan about it, but once the memories
start flowing, it becomes a valuable way to say, "look what the
Lord has done."  the groans yield to tears and laughter.

it is also a time to show how He has knit our hearts together
through the difficult and happy moments.  even though each of
our children has unique gifts and dreams and live miles away
from us and each other, we want their hearts to remain linked.

we have seen how time and miles have unraveled families, and
we want to oppose that.  when i am a great-grandmother, and i
plan to be a GREAT grandmother, i hope to hear my children
and their children laughing and roughhousing in the background
as their father takes them one by one to remember the goodness
of the Lord in the previous year.

love,
lea

"the Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with
joy!"  psalm 126:3

40 comments:

Rachel said...

How utterly wonderful. I can just picture our Heavenly Father doing the same... "Look, see how far we've come this year!"

Town and Country House said...

What a great tradition and blessing! Last night I was finishing up some laundry and all three of ours were in the the oldest's bedrooms, laughing up a storm as he packed to go back to school. I was so happy, thinking they all want to be together!

Champagne Macarons said...

Beautiful, Lea! A lovely and wise tradition. I, too, love to reminisce on the past. My grandmother says it important to remember our childhoods and the time we spend with eachother. That is why she talks with each of us so it will always be in our hearts and we will be able to pass on our knowledge to the next generation.
Wishing you a lovely new year!
xoxo, B

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I think your tradition of sharing at the end of the year is AWESOME! Your kids are going to thank you, and you just wait... they will do it with THEIR kids!

Heartwarming!

Farm Girl said...

That is a fantastic idea. So glad you shared it today.
I am trying to be a good grandmother but more often than not, I see the failings, just because I thought I would have more time. I never realized my grandchildren would come when I still had kids at home. I still have great plans though.:)

Lisa said...

What a simply perfect idea, Lea!
PS You will be a GREAT grandmother.:)

myletterstoemily said...

thanks, lisa!

Sandy said...

Hans sounds wonderful, just like
you, Lea. What great parents you
all are and what great grandparents
you will be as well. This is a really precious tradition that all
families should start.
Email me if you want to see my
puppy.
Love,
Sandy

Vee said...

That is truly a wonderful plan...to review the year before. How good to see it with fresh eyes and from a place where we see how it worked out or is in the process of working out. Your children groan? That's so funny to me.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

So with you on this one and I have the same desire. I love that your husband leads out in this, what a treasure.
I have set up a Shutterfly web site account just for our children. I record every milestone through pictures, prayer request,accomplishments etc. through the year. It even has a calendar and sends them out notices in advance of events to come. They can go there and keep up to date...and we all live close, but everyone's schedules are so busy. I think living close makes us too causal about our time together.

Stones of remembrance...announcing God's precious hand on us through everything and our desire to love each other through it all.

Great post as usual...lined with wisdom

Just Be Real said...

The Lord has truly done some great things. Appreciate you sharing this post of encouragement Emily. Blessings.

Darcie said...

What a beautiful tradition! This is what I have secretly worried about with my own family. Only because at times I feel so disconnected from our families that we live miles aways from! I don't want the same thing to happen to my kids. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, and maybe this is something we can grow on.

Southern Lady said...

What a beautiful idea! Your husband must be a wonderful example of a man! Carla

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Yes! And Amen! What wonderful blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us...in abundance :o) What a wonderful way to reflect, share and give thanks to His glory and grace :o)

Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you so much for stopping by...I do try to get some of my blog reading in when I do have a day off...and yet make it a point not to be on the computer too much when my hubby and I are both off, so that we share that time together :o)

Happy, happy, blessed New Year to you and your lovely family!

Pamela said...

What a precious tradition! In reviewing the past, you can plan for the future, building each year upon the failures and successes of the last. I love how that's important to you and your husband.

Tammi said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful tradition...I believe the Lord would have us to remember, to call back to mind, the things that He has done, the lessons we have been taught. What a wonderful tradition!!

And the most special thing is the Lord is there, listening, taking notes on all the wonderful words that glorify Him as to what He has done!! I'm sure He is smiling too!

Henley on the Horn said...

What a wonderful tradition! You have an endearing husband!

Cheri Bunch said...

I love this, Leah!
I wanted to do something extra special for my grown children this Christmas so I wrote each one of them a letter about my favorite memory that I treasure of a time I spent with them over the past year. With one, it was a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower! Another, I was so sick one day, and my daughter-in-law ... the sweetest of the sweetest ... tucked me in her bed and kissed me on the forehead. (Makes me cry to type it!) We were at their house in NYC at the time. And there were five others! I love your husbands tradition. Homes are built one memory at a time!
Blessings,
Cheri

chris said...

what a beautiful idea, to review the year with people who love and care for you. sounds like you have a wonderful, very lucky family.

Joan Elizabeth said...

This is wonderful togetherness and leadership ... a great example.

The floods are several hundred miles North of us so we are quite safe and our family living up that way are all safe at present.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Wow...if all men could be trained to be this kind of father, what would the world be like? But no one can be trained in this manner...this is of God!!! Oh Lea, thank you for coming to my post. And yes, I have been "asleep" but have been having lucid moments since blogging!!!! But now, I hope and pray that we all will fly with the wings God has given us and that we sometimes refuse to use.

Have a BEAUTIFUL MONDAY!!! Anita

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

b e a u t i f u l , sweet Lea. I love your idea, just might have to copy it.
Have a lovely Monday! xxx

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

The Lord is good...
A wonderful post.
Happy New Year Lea...Love your heart.
Hugs, Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful, Lea!

Wishing you & yours a wonderful 2011!!!

Hugs,
Zuzu

Gloria said...

Beautiful story of how we should not forget what the good Lord has done for each one of us!

How wonderful that your family has that memory of your husband and their father!!

Sweet blessings to all of your family for the New Year!

XOXO Gloria

Julie@beingRUBY said...

How sweet Lea
and how true... a parent has the pivotal role of keeping the family meshed.. and what a wonderful tradition to help a child see what they have achieved in the previous year..

Thanks for your sweet comments my way.. always appreciated... I hope 2011 brings much joy and happiness your way.. xxx Julie

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

So touching. My kids aren't old enough yet, but this is a marvellous thing to copy.
I hope that one day I can do this with them too.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

"we have seen how time and miles have unraveled families, and
we want to oppose that." - Until my dying day, Lea!!

Bree said...

Lea,
What a wonderful tradition & special time. Praying all is well with you and your sweet ones :) God bless you!
love,
bree

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,
This is one of the nicest thing ..I find in movies ..and you put in action that really nice.

The Glimpse of the same , gives smile to lots of faces.

Its a great inter-connect ..lovely one.

Some are Lucky and you are truly blessed.

Wish You all have a great year ahead ..lots of happiness and Good health.


take care
Keep smiling.

Deborah Ann said...

Your husband sounds like a real treasure. You're all so blessed to have him. I know plenty of dads and grandads who never take the time to really talk to their kids. Hey, how bout posting some pics of the two of you? Yeah!

Rosie said...

Oh what a PERFECT tradition...and although they all groan, I can guarantee they will be sitting down with their own babies carrying on this reminiscence of love...
Sending you a warm January HUG.
* * * xoxox (OK,a couple kisses too) * * * Rosie

Maria said...

Yes, the Lord is Good and has done such great things ~ I am learning day by day that a grateful heart is the most gentle way. It is sometimes a challenge, but so true.
What a wonderful gift your husband gives to your children... and for himself as well... to spend time thinking of and proclaiming the good things the Lord has done. They will treasure this in their hearts.
~Maria

Cheri Bunch said...

Missing you, Lea! Hope you are doing well. Blessings, Cheri

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you! Hope you have been well.
I've got a little surprise over at my blog for you.
Have a great Sunday,
Anna

emily said...

Thanks, Lea, for having such a wonderful husband and family for us to model. We're ready for our year in review meetings in CB! Yay! Thank you, thank you. love.

Unknown said...

My cochlear implant guru is in a clinic called "Hearts for Hearing" in OKC. You wouldn't believe what they do over there!

myletterstoemily said...

ronda! that is so cool!

highheeledlife said...

You are truly a blessing ... that is such a fabulous tradition and an important message to those of us who needed a (kick in the butt) a gentle reminder that in the lemons is lemonade and that God is always there to help us, even when we feel alone. Thanks for your beautiful inspiring words..xo HHL

peggy aplSEEDS said...

i have been going through your blog and it is wonderful!