Favorite photo this week is the one used for our Christmas card!
"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."
Burton Hillis
But my favorite picture of all is the one below - where my mom worked her photo magic and added Jacob! I look at this picture and my heart swells with pride and I thank God for trusting me with these 5 precious gifts. And although I had to give Jacob back to God far sooner than I wanted - I am so thankful for the 6 years I had with him! Jacob blessed my life greatly and this Christmas we will remember him with happy - yet bittersweet - memories. We miss him so much! And as I celebrate with my family and count my blessings this year - I never forget that this time of year can be very difficult for some. Please join me in taking a moment and praying for all those who are sick, grieving or hurting this holiday season - especially those on the PRAYER REQUEST PAGE. May God fill their hearts with peace - and may our prayers lift them up.
From our family to yours - we wish you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years! May we all ponder the reason for the season as we embrace the magic of Christmas and celebrate the birth of Christ. I know I will be soaking up every minute of this most wonderful time of year. May you always BELIEVE!
"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."
Agnes M. Pharo
Ending with a scripture . . .
"Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:10-11
The Message
Believing,
31 comments:
Aww Heather! I love the one with Jacob in the ornament in Brandon's hand the best too!! Merry Christmas to your family!!! What an exciting time for all of you, even though the presence of Jacob is apparent every single moment, I know his spirit will be in the room with you! He will alway sbe a blessing to all, including those of us who never had the opportunity to meet him.
As for Sophie... if you ask her, Santa is NOT coming to our house this year. Only mommy can bring her presents. She is terrified of the big guy, but I know Christmas will be special this year with her excitement! I bet Allie will be aglow with delight as well!
God Bless and FROG!!! Much love and many hugs to all your beautiful babies!
Sarah and Family
OMG I love BOTH Christmas cards, but my FAVORITE of course is the one w/Jacob in the Christmas ornament!!! Although a long time follower of Jacob on the CB site, I couldn't quite figure out how to successfully post on this blog (LOL)! Wish I was as saavy as your mom on the computer!! How very special of your mom, I have always loved her talent when it came to the pictures on Jacob's CB site!!! I wish your family a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALLIE A VERY WONDERFUL 1st CHRISTMAS and JACOB A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS!!
i love the one with jacob in it!
Heather ~ I love the photos of the kids, especially the one that includes an ornament picture of Jacob. Your mom sure is tech savvy! You always have such a great flare for creating personalized things. Did you make your own greeting card photo? I love the personal touch you added with the kids names. Also, the kids personalized stockings are adorable. I would love to know where you bought them. You'll have to get one for Allie too!
Hoping Jacob's Stocking continues to overflow with gifts.
Teresa
I love, love, love the photo where your mom added Amazing Jacob! Red cardinals and frogs are so much a part of my life now. Thanks for sharing your wonderful family with all of us. You are a very talented and gifted woman - and I am so glad God blessed you even more with Allie. Have a wonderful holiday season!!!! Much love to all!!! Susan in West Virginia
Heather, the pictures are just beautiful and I too love the one with Jacob. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and very Happy New Year!
Beautiful Christmas card.
Thank you so much, Heather for sharing generously of your family and your faith.
I've been following your family's journey and holding you all in prayer since fall, 2004 when you shared Jacob's illness in the Triplet Connection.
I don't have a blog, but my son does - http://growingupwithadisability.blogspot.com In a previous post you spoke of your safety concerns, which I share. Like you, though, we've found such kindness in the blogging world.
Christmas blessings to all the Duckworths,
Janet
I have read your blog for a while, but haven't commented. You have a beautiful family, and I am so inspired by you! Thank you for sharing your faith!
Maria in Ohio
What a beautiful pic!! I love the one with Jacob in it!!
Robyn
You are an amazing lady:)
Your family is as gorgeous as ever:)
Praying right now!
You mom did a great job! You should have used that one!
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Merry Christmas Heather and family,
Oh what joy it ALWAYS is to stop by your sites.
I pray one day, the Lord will allow our paths to cross.
Love the pictures, and of course my favorite was the one with Jacob in the ornament!
Yes, he's always there, always a part of everything you do.
Here is word for you:
Psalms 33:18 "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love".
His eyes are always on YOU Heather!
Love you!
Susan
I love your Christmas card picture but I especially love the picture with Jacob.
I hope you have a great Christmas.
i love the picture with Jacob in it! Wow! I asked you a question about your stockings now where do I go to see these answers?
Merry Christmas!
I love your photos. The one with Jacob is precious.
Hope that Allie is feeling better. Reese has been sick A LOT since coming home. I am glad that she is a trooper.
Enjoy your Christmas.
Hi Heather-
This is my first post since your entry on blog safety, so I've just signed up (I think!!)...
I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the picture with Amazing Jacob in it. It is so special. Your mom is so great with the computer!! It's funny because when I saw the first picture I was thinking that would be a perfect place for a little Jacob and then I scrolled down, and there he was! Just perfect!! And the card is beautiful with the little trees and everything, so personal. And the quote is perfect too!
I just wanted to let you know that I've finally saved enough to get my copy of Amazing Jacob and I ordered it last night!! I'm so excited to share your family with mine!!
I pray you have a very Merry Christmas and that Allie enjoys her first holiday season with her forever family. What a blessing that will be. I can't wait for the pictures!!
Happy Christmas!
With love, Kyle (from CT).
Merry Christmas to all!...you know I would just love the card....and how "fitting" for our Jacob to be in the ornament! May you have a blessed Christmas and a most fun one with a baby in the house.
Hugs from our house to yours!
Love and Hugs..
Your strength and faithfulness amaze me Heather. Merry Christmas.
I love to read your blog. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Melissa
Centraal Illinois
Merry Christmas and prayers for a Happy New Year!!
I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I love reading about all the wonderful things happening in you're lives. You guys deserve the best.
love & prayers,
Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas with your sweet children (and I know Jacob had a wonderful Christmas with the ULTIMATE gift in Jesus). Thinking about you today...
I Love the picture with Jacob in it the best, all 5 of your precious children.
Merry Christmas Duckworth family!
With Much Love
Audra Deffenbaugh
Our Savior is born! Praying!
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
I love the picture and I especially love the one with Jacob in the ornament! Too precious.
I hope your Christmas was filled with LOVE and JOY!
Hope You all Had a Wonderful Christmas...Love all The Sweet Pictures of The Family!!
May God Bless you Even More in this New Year!
Tamara
Heather,I Still Come here like 3 Times a day Just to see if There are updates..Your Words are so Nice and I Just Love all the Pictures..Thanks again For Sharing Your Family with all of Us!! I am Going to start my Own Blog,and Thanks to You I am Learning all about The Safety Part of It..Thanks again Tamara
Heather and family ~ I love the Christmas picture! It is obvious that Allie's big brothers are very loving and protective of her. Her smile is so adorable and those boys are sure handsome. Happy Holidays and a very wonderful New Year to you all!
Hi Heather and family-
My copy of Amazing Jacob arrived here late Friday afternoon and I've just finished it. I joined your journey around March of '05 I think, it was at that point that the entries became familiar to me. I was simply amazed to learn of all that your family, and especially Jacob, went through prior to when I "met" you.
The book is just beautiful and you should be so proud of this record for your children. Such beautiful memories, even those that brought you pain found you filling your cup with HOPE. No wonder your family is such an inspiration to all who have "met" you. I cried many times through the book, but I found myself laughing even more.
Thank you so much for opening your heart and your soul and your family to all of our lives. I look forward to reading the next Amazing Jacob book.
I hope you've enjoyed your trip up "North," although I tried to figure out where you'd be by calculating a 15 hour drive from Tampa, and being from Connecticut, I don't actually think you're North, that still seems pretty South to me!!!! Can't wait for the next update, I've missed you guys!
Love, Kyle
Hey Heather,
Just wanted you to know you are MISSED greatly.
Once you get settled back in, I'll look forward to your next update, and some great pictures!
We have a birthday coming up!!
Love you,
Susan
Love the new blog look. Can't wait to hear more from you.
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