Tender Mercies

I had a perfect Christmas. No really...It definitely made my top 5.

This picture captures it up beautifully (minus a few important people-Amber, mom, and dad & all my other family that was out of town). 

We were the footed pajama club. Please look at Hayden's hair...and Carter's face...and my big brother Matt...ooh so many things I love about this picture. 

At breakfast this morning my sister in law asked us to instead of saying something we're grateful for, like at Thanksgiving, to go around and describe a tender mercy we had noticed in our life lately.

That Amber, full of great ideas. 

It really got me thinking though. I feel as though my whole life is one big tender mercy. 

I screw up a lot, I lose my footing. But for some reason, the Lord keeps blessing me, and blessing me, and blessing me...because He is tenderly merciful and endlessly understanding.

I also feel as though the Lord has been blessing my relationship with Mr. R as well. Talking to him tonight was such a boost; I can't even describe it really. Just to talk to someone with whom you have that kind of chemistry with is a freakin blast. I could talk to him for hours, he is my best friend. He gets me and he takes me as I am. He makes me laugh and he listens to me complain.  

But most importantly- He loves his mission 

[and he loves his girl so there's not a lot more I could ask for.]

Peace is the only word I can use to describe how my heart feels right now. 

And if that's not a tender mercy, I'm not sure what is.