One year ago today, things were VERY different in my life.

One year ago today, I had no home.
One year ago today, I was living in a women's shelter with my boys.
One year ago today, I met one of the OW, and she ignored my warnings to her that she was in danger (as my H physically shoved me away and out of her earshot).
One year ago today, I was severely depressed.
One year ago today, I regained access to the matrimonial home.
One year ago today, my MIL told me that I ruined her xmas b/c I went into my home (what's with that, eh? LOL).
One year ago today, the police were called.
One year ago today, my H broke the locks off of the door and I feared for my life.
One year ago today was the most miserable Christmas Eve of my life.

TODAY, I am with my boys in MY home.
TODAY, I am writing to my MB friends in order to procrastinate making those shortbread cookies which I can't stop eating <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> (Christmas time is NOT the time to try and lose weight).
TODAY, my tree is up, with my "Andrew" ornament right on top under the star.
TODAY, there are presents under that same tree.
TODAY, I will put MY boys to bed as we all anticipate tomorrow morning when Santa has been.
TODAY, I think of how sad it is for H's family, who have chosen to not be a part of the boys' lives, for whatever reasons they may have.
TODAY, I am so happy, because I know who my TRUE family and friends are.

And today, I want to remind those of you who may be having a really tough Christmas season, that it WILL be better, even if it does take another 365 days. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Blessings to all of my MB friends. I love you all, and thank God for you everyday.

Karen

Merry Christmas Karen and hoping the coming New Year is blessed for you & the boys.

brava, doll! brava!

there is much for you and your boys to celebrate this christmas.

AND IT WOULD GETTING EVEN BETTER BY NEXT YEAR ... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> .

Merry Christmas Karen

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

The boys were all in bed by 7pm on Christmas Eve, so Santa was able to do his stuff early. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Christmas morning was the BEST!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Although I was woken up at the usual 6:30am with a twin jumping on my bed and snuggling under the covers with me, then another twin crawling on the other side of me, and then the 4 1/2 yr old complaining that the 2nd twin was too noisy, as he tried to get under the covers too... I relished every single second of it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> We stayed snuggling in the bed for about 30 minutes. I never would have dreamed this is how it would be this time last year. And I'm also thankful for my queen size bed. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

sing: And a blessed new year to you too sweetie! I'm glad you come out of lurkdom for my threads. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

whippit: Yes, it was a beautiful Christmas. The only thing missing was church, since the boys were all sick. But we'll get to that next year. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

redhat: Hmmm... even better than this year, huh? I can't even imagine that... but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Uncomfortably Numb: Merry Christmas to you too. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Karen

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Topie25:
<strong>redhat: Hmmm... even better than this year, huh? I can't even imagine that... but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Trust me ... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Karen

After feeling rather miserable about my own situation this year, I read your post and realised I have much to be thankful for. As ever, you are an inspiration and your post made me cry - mind you, as Pound Man used to say "Lisa's so emotional she'd cry at the bus timetable!!"

Take care of yourself

Lisa