The following is by editor Kara Fleck.
The holiday season brings with it many opportunities for saying thank you. During this time of year, most of us make a point to show our appreciation for gifts, yes, but also for the kind acts, thoughtfulness, time, and love given to us.
I know that some of you had really a difficult year in 2011. While I’m so thankful for our sweet baby Mia, 2011 also takes with it some events that I’m glad to see become a part of the past. My family faced the challenges, learned a few lessons, and now we are ready to move on.
I bet some of you are, too.
I read your emails and your blogs and some of your comments here, and I know that there are people out there hurting and thankful for the fresh start of 2012.
Many of you suffered losses, faced challenges, and found yourselves and your families in trying circumstances. My wish is that those of you who are hurting for it, get that fresh start.
And for those of you for who 2011 was a year of great joy and happiness, I hope that 2012 finds you with double the blessings!
Gratitude
In Amanda Soule’s book The Creative Family she talks about The Gratitude Alphabet, a simple exercise where you take a large piece of paper and write down the letters of the alphabet and then think of something you are thankful for for each letter. A little silly, yes, but as Amanda writes, it … “really does make us feel more aware of how full, loved, and blessed our lives truly are.”
In that spirit, here is my New Year’s Wish for you dear readers, as a thank you for all of the ways you have made writing here at Simple Kids such a blessing to me.
members can 
