as a family.
I guess it's been a very, very, very long time. So long I can't remember when we last took the time to just sit around and enjoy each other's company.
I think it's really quite sad in many ways and I hope this trend continues through the new year on a more frequent basis. I'm hoping that each of the others in our family feel the difference it creates within themselves as well as the shift it creates in our family unit.
What I've noticed, is a closeness reigniting that's been missing for sometime. Many of us are also more patient, kind, nurturing, thankful, appreciative, respectful and quieter. That's always especially good to realize as a mommy or a daddy! But I think the significance is even felt by the little souls in the household, even if they don't verbalize it or acknowledge it as such consciously.

I hope it continues. I pray it continues and further enriches all of us. There's a nice calming influence settling in. It says so much in this holiday season filled with all the hustle and bustle that's associated with preparations, family and friend celebrations. What a fantastic change of pace to welcome our new little one-to-be into our family fold!