The Raders--Photography by Ron & Renee

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
As we consider 2007 and all that it held, we count the many blessings that came our way. It was a year of challenges and adventures that helped us grow and expand our vision.

Normally at this time of the season, we are in MO but things were a bit different this year. The last several years, with our girls being older, we would have a few gifts under the tree to open on Christmas morning, then have a treasure hunt for shopping money! I would write "an adventure" with clues to finding the hidden treasure. It would always begin at the tree and the girls would work together to figure out where the clues would lead. Whatever they found they had to split equally. On Christmas afternoon, we would pack up and head to Kansas City, taking our dinner with us. The morning of the 26th, we would hit the stores at the opening bell, to get the best after Christmas deals, using the "bounty" found in the treasure hunt. You talk about some fun shopping!!! After a day of great deals (well, some years had better deals than others) it was on to the Christmas celebration with Ron's family. After a couple of days in KC, it was on to Jefferson City for the celebration with my family.

Last year was the first Christmas without Ron's mom and this year, we could not make the normal trip. We had to delay a few days, but we are making the trip this evening. No shopping this time, but certainly looking forward to the celebration!

Looking ahead to 2008 (that sounds far away...but it is here!) we anticipate a wonderful year. We begin the new year with Taryn and Rodney's e-session, then off to Tampa for DWF! We are so excited about meeting friends from the forum! Then back home to an e-session with Alicia and Jakob and Lindsay and Stephen's wedding. The month finishes at the AR Democrat Gazette Bridal Fair on Sunday, January 27 at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock. It is always so much fun being with new brides and grooms as they plan for that big day! They generate so much excitement that the energy is contagious.

As the New Year dawns, it is a time of new beginnings. I'm so thankful for new beginnings! We pray God's richest blessings on each of you and wish you health and prosperity through out the year!