This Christmas has been a particularly joyful one. Despite one late evening lapse of patience, I can truly say this has been one of the most memorable celebrations of Christ's birth in my entire life. We were so pleased to have all of our children and two of our very good friends from India with us. Because of work schedules and other plans, we arranged to be visited by Santa Claus on the 24th and so today has become a quiet and peaceful reflective time. Of all the wonderful gifts I received this year, I want to share with you the one that touched me and my wife beyond any other.

Our children spent a day together on a recent weekend which they called "Sibling Day." It was not the first time this has happened. We are blessed with children who love each other and enjoy one another's company even now as adults. So Lorri and I suspected nothing. As we opened presents, going around taking turns as is our tradition, our children insisted that Lorri open one particular present last. I prevailed in having her open my gift last, but it paled in comparison to this one. It was a book and I've gathered their permission to share it here. I hope you'll indulge me then as I share with you a rather "social media" style personal post.

Tyler and Lorri

We have been married for thirty years. In that time we've seen a few ups and downs. I'm so grateful to have such a good wife by my side. She has been the anchor in my life against the tides and currents of changing and challenging times.

This photo of Lorri and me was taken a few years ago by my sister Rebecca. She's a natural shutter bug.

This one is the title page and was taken very recently. Both of us have lost a few pounds since the cover photo was taken. Lorri still looks younger and better than me. I'm the luckiest man alive.

The Kids Together

Jaelise, Johanna, John and Josh are four great kids. These re-enactment photos make us smile from ear to ear.

Josh

Our youngest and still living at home, Josh rarely had to be told to go to bed. Whenever he was upset with us, he would cover his head with a blanket or something and say, "You don't see me."

John

Our children were always fond of running around with no clothes. John was no exception. At four he learned to ride a bike and defied the rule of wearing a helmet, so he occasionally wore some road rash and once crashed hard enough to cause a severe concussion which had us in the ER for a while. Thankfully his skull was sufficiently strong and the damage was temporary. We think. (Just kidding, John.)

Johanna

The cutest messy eater in our house, Johanna was always perplexed when Lorri knew she had been sneaking some treat or another because the evidence was always on her face.

Jaelise

A ham for the camera then and now, Jaelise always loved to dress up and her bunny was a favorite. Her kayak has taken its place and goes nearly everywhere with her now.

Jenessa

Reading the book and laughing at each page, when Lorri came to this page that laughter turned to tears for both of us as we remembered our oldest and most perfect child. Jenessa lived just nine days and as we remembered the birth of Christ, these pages reminded us poignantly of our first child's birth. The elephant named Ernie was a small stuffed rainbow colored elephant who was buried with Jenessa in 1988. While we miss her so much, she is and always will be a very important part of our family.

My Kids Are The Best

When they say, "It's the thought that counts," I believe it. My children are thoughtful, loving and kind. I love them so very much. They have made this Christmas one of the very best of my life!

Special thanks goes to Johanna who made all this happen. What an amazing gift!