Happy New Year to all my friends and followers! May 2013 fill your lives with an abundance of love, good health, and happy days! I hope you all enjoyed a merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season! I expect you spent precious time with friends and loved ones; opening presents around the Christmas tree; talking, laughing and reminiscing. Did you share a delicious feast with all the trimmings? Did you sleep in and stay in your pyjamas all day long? Did you take a drive or hop on a plane to visit family or did family come to visit you? Oh, aren't the holidays wonderful?!
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| Our Christmas tree |
We at the Antunes residence have been keeping busy, hence, my blog absence for several weeks. December was filled with many blessings. We celebrated birthdays...four of them to be exact - my husband's, my father-in-law's, my sister's and mine! We attended the school Christmas concert, exchanged gifts, spent precious time with family and friends, AND we still managed to get away for an overnight trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate my birthday.
Singing happy birthday to Nuno at my in-laws' house
Annabel singing the Hawaiian Christmas Song
at the school concert
A glimpse of early morning snow outside my kitchen window
Celebrating my birthday at
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
named "The prettiest town in Canada" in 1996
Prince of Wales hotel, where we stayed ovenight
A special birthday breakfast
Birthday morning horse and carriage ride through town
A little birthday video...
But along with all the joy and celebration of the season, our family have been struggling with some difficult news. Early last month, we learned that my dear father-in-law had a brain tumor. He has since had surgery to remove most of it. The surgery went well. He won that battle, but the war is not over. We as a family are here for him and each other, as we realize there are tough days ahead of us. We are strong and united. The love, hope, and courage we share are going to help us get through this trying time.
One might think that this news put a damper on our holidays . One may say that we couldn't possibly celebrate the joys of the season with this revelation looming over our heads. But, then I might say, I guess you don't know my father-in-law. He is a strong, happy, courageous man. He celebrated his birthday, Christmas, and new year's eve in the same manner he has celebrated in previous years. If anything, this Christmas was even more special than those of years passed. We celebrated with every inch of our being. We enjoyed each other's company and did not take for granted, not for one second, that we were all here, together, today, right now!
This is how I want to begin this new year - feeling thankful for all of life's blessings, each and every day. I don't want to take anyone or anything for granted. Each morning, I am going to say THANK YOU! Thank you for another day, another sunrise, another chance.
Cheers! To a fabulous new year! Here's hoping all of our dreams come true!
The shops are all so darling and your beautiful family compliments the Christmas scene so wonderfully!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you are blessed with such an amazing husband and darling daughters to join you on your birthday to make it extra special.
Thank you for sharing your special time in Niagara-on-the-Lake....what a scene out of a movie!!!!!!
I need to go there!!
Happy Birthday....Happy New Year!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Joann
XOXO
Wonderful blog, Rosinda! You have such a beautiful family. Love your video! We were in Niagara-on-the-Lake for our anniversary last May. But, I have to say it's even prettier in the snow! I guess most things are, though.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2013! Continuing to pray for your father-in-law.
KarenP
Oh Rosinda I hope all your dreams come true and this time next year is another round of joyous celebrations with everyone saying wow remember how crappy last year was and thank goodness all storm clouds have now passed.
ReplyDeleteFabulous video. Boo is right here practically in front of the screen (his new vantage point, very annoying) and we watched it together. We both loved it. He was very impressed with the fetching dog. Tho I must say having the camera at the correct angle and everything in focus seems like cheating compared to my wonky videos. It's so beautiful there. Wish I could go see it. Did Nuno add in the music or is it playing there? I want to eat snowflakes like Anita and have a hat like Annabel's. Canada is like a real life Disneyland--the happiest place on earth. ♥
Beautiful post...hope the new year is full of joy and great things for your entire family...well wishes to your father-in-law and hope that he will continually receive encouraging news... xo Laura
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful & inspirational post, Rosinda...full of joy, hope & love, as yours always are. These are just the things to be focussing on in a New Year, trust you to remind us! Your father in law is a very wise man...I hope for his very quick recovery, and that he continues to improve and carry that positivity with him...it's so important. Love to all the wonderful Antunes for 2013. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappiest of New Years, dear Rosinda!! What a heavenly scene of the charming Niagra-on-the-Lake!! I can't think of a sweeter place to celebrate one's birthday! We, too, will keep you all in our prayers for your father-in-law's full recovery. It is so important to enjoy each moment. Sometimes it is in the face of trials that we find our inner strengths and see joys in tiniest things in life. Sending love and hugs, Sherry xoxo
ReplyDeleteI want to scoop you all up in a big hug! For alot of reasons. To celebrate, to cheer you on, to shore you up, and bask in the warmth of the Antunes family. Blessings on you all. xoxo
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