Well, its hard to believe it, but here it is....CHRISTMAS! Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and a big special Happy birthday to Jesus!! While I was getting ready for church this morning I found myself singing happy birthday to him. It seems December is just filled with so much commercialism of something that is so beautiful & sacred. How has this happened? Anyways, I always try to make sure that I take time out to wish him a happy birthday...he is the guest of honor you know!
As I sit back and reflect here a while before I get ready to go to my sisters house for Christmas with my family, I am reminded of all the things that I am so grateful for; A husband who loves me for who I am regardless of how much I weigh or the times that I have taken him for granted, 2 beautiful daughters who are healthy, beautiful & smart, Both of my parents and 2 of the best sisters a girl could ever ask for, a lovely home in a nice neighborhood, a good job with good people that I love to be around, good health, and some of the best blogging girlfriends in the world! Gosh, when I think about it, I have blessings chasing me down & overtaking me! :) Last year on this day, I was down with a bad case of the flu. I missed Christmas with my family and I was in a heavy state of depression. It was a very sad ending to 2010. As I think back on 2011, while it still had its trials & tribulations, for the most part, it was a pretty good year. Mentally, I am so much better & stronger and I feel like perhaps in the coming months I will be able to get off of my antidepressant. Weight wise, I am 42# lighter and I am wearing 3 sizes smaller clothing than I did at this time last year. Now THAT has been a real accomplishment! I am happier, and just in general so thankful for every day. Dont know why, but I am feeling quite melancholy today. Last night, I had my sister in law over for dinner. She is my husbands last living sibling and outside of friends, she has only us. We had a nice dinner...ham, roasted red potatoes, salad, rolls, jello salad.....all pretty delicious. I brought out a tray of some cookies that I made (only did 1 batch of 4 different varieties. I used to do about 12 different kinds. No wonder I was so big! hahaha!) as I was unwrapping the saran wrap from the tray, my youngest daughter made the comment that last year we didnt have any cookies because I was so depressed. It kind of took me aback to hear that. You just dont realize how much depression affects the people around you. So I am thankful to God for lifting my depression this past year and while I dont think I am just yet at 100%, I am getting very close to it. With a new year just around the corner, I am excited to usher 2012 in and I am so excited to see what I will look like next year at this time! I got a new camera from the hubs for Christmas so I am attaching my picture from last year along with my updated photo taken this morning with my new Nikon camera. Maybe now I can post more pictures!!! :)
12-31-2010
(Sorry, I was sick on christmas. The only full shot photo I could find)
12-25-2011
(42# lighter! yay!)
So in closing, I want to wish you all a day filled with happiness & peace and surrounded by those that you love & cherish. Take your right arm & place it on your left shoulder & your left arm & place it on your right shoulder & SQUEEZE....and know that you have just received a BIG HUG from me!!!!
Merry Christmas!!!!
((Sherri))
You look beautiful and I am so excited for you! That is an excellent weight loss in the last year.
ReplyDeleteWe really are similar sisters! I take antidepressants too. I think it takes the edge off of what is so crazy in my life.
Your post was really spot on when you count your blessings. They are abundant! And singing Happy Birthday to Jesus was exactly what I did after I read your post!
Hugs to you and Merry Christmas pretty lady! Yay for us...we made it!!!
Thank you Kay & right back atcha! As I was looking at these pictures, I just noticed a big difference in one articular thing....my smile. The one from last year was a strained smile from a very unhappy person. This years, I think it tells a different story...much more like "me". Its good to get "me" back! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your family had a fantastic Christmas! We make a birthday cake for Jesus every Christmas; it's important to us to keep Him the center of our celebrations as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear how far you've come, spiritually, mentally, and physically. I pray that this year will bring even more healing for you . Hugs.
Hi Sherri, Wow what a difference a year makes. Not only do you look Fabulous but your smile is bigger and you just look awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great day on Christmas. You are lucky to have so many people that love you.
Thanks for the HUG. :-)
Merry Christmas to you, too! And you look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou are so adorable Sherri. Isn't is amazing how many things can change in one short year!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know God lifts: He lifts depression. I think meds, good couseling, friends, etc are His gifts as well... and most certainly He sends others to lift us up. So that means we must be about doing the same...as we're able. I hope you're enjoying a great day.
Sherri,you are so right about your smile. You look genuinely happier in the second photos. I am so glad that you are in your happy place. You have accomplished so much. 2012 is bound to have wonderful things in store for you. I count myself lucky to have found you as a blogger friend. I'm just trying to recuperate from my big holiday weekend, and family dinner. I'll get a blog post out soon. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you! Hugs from me to you!
ReplyDelete