All I Can Do is Laugh!

Life has been quite busy around here. Dan had surgery on both of his shoulders 3 weeks ago, the twins are moving full steam ahead in Kindergarten, I'm pluggin' along with my 2 full-time jobs at home and my part-time job as a Dental Hygienist, and... the saga with my extended family continues.

I've tried to remove myself from the whole situation, and I've done a pretty good job of removing myself physically, but emotionally...well, how does one not think about such a situation? I try to pray about it instead of worry about it or become angry about it, but, well, what can I say? I'm an imperfect human. I'm really just very blue about all of this. Especially because the holidays are fast approaching and my sister won't talk to me and my parents are upset with me because I haven't taken my sister's side in all of this. Let's all say it together, "DYSFUNCTION!"

The lighter side? This could relieve much of the holiday stress that I usually have to face. I won't have to referee at the dinner table, or facilitate small talk. This could be good.

On a brighter note, Adam & Katie are just taking off in Kindergarten! They are like little sponges soaking up all the fundamentals of reading and math, and science. It is so exciting to see them learning so much and so quickly.

Sophie goes to Noni & Bomas' house for a 2-day sleepover every week. She's being spoiled...as are they! They've never had the experience of having just one grandchild at a time. I think they really look forward to Sophie's weekly visit. It will be sad for them when she goes to preschool next fall.

Dan is doing well with his recovery, although his range of motion is very limited right now. He goes to physical therapy once a week and should be getting back to normal in the upcoming months.

Well, that's all I have to say about that. Life! What a journey! I'm looking forward to the destination!

So long 2008!

2008 was a pretty trying year for me and I'm glad to wish it farewell. I've learned some very valuable lessons this year. I've also let go of some of my selfishness. My attitude toward my loved-ones has changed to allow for me to accept our differences and not feel the need to make excuses for those differences. I've learned that unhealthy relationships are not always worth holding onto and sometimes it's necessary to let go. I've learned that change can be good; Very. Good. I've learned that my significance is in Christ, and it does not matter what the World thinks of me. All that matters is that I am precious to Him. "Yes I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above [me], nothing below [me], nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate [me] from from the love of GOD that is in Christ Jesus [my] Lord." Romans 8:38-39
I've learned that life is fragile and fleeting. Someone who is here today may not live to see tomorrow. In that, I am learning to not take people, especially loved-ones, for granted. It is my desire to spend more time with the ones I love, and the ones who love me, in 2009. To let go of what's behind. To press toward the goal. To lean into "circumstances" rather than run the other way. To pray more. To do more. To live more. May God bless you far beyond what your heart and hand can hold in this New Year!

So Long Santa!

Part of me loves the magic of Christmas, the other part of me very strongly "dislikes" the whole "holiday thing" in general. My family has never been into holiday get-togethers, and typically when we do get together I end up being referee to some unnecessary conflict. This year wasn't so bad though. I only had to talk one person down from the ledge and there was no begging on my part, it was basically, "come down if you want to." I've learned a lot this year, such as:
1. what I can and cannot control, 2. I can't change reality, and 3. the fact that it's not my responsibility to "keep the peace." These revelations in my life have liberated me in ways that words cannot even express. My new-found mantra this year, "It is what it is!" I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas!