I woke up and got on the scale...

So, today's post was going to be a fun looking back to 2012......then I woke up and got on the scale.

I honestly got on the scale 3 times.....all the same result.   I have gained 16 pounds this year.

That is the same weight as:





















This bowling ball.....it is a nice representation on how I have taken care of  my self this year.

I have not.   I have just let this heavy ball just roll over me.  I have stopped going to the gym, I have stopped noticing what I put in my mouth, I have a glass of wine more than I should, I don't drink water like I should, etc....

So, I was at my sons piano recital this weekend and my friends FIL has lost about 30 pounds.   I  said you look great, he said, yep eating right and moving does wonders!

That really is all it takes, eating right, and moving.

I have stopped doing both. 


So, I got on the scale today and it hit me in the gut that I am not taking care of myself.   That sucks more than the gaining of weight.....I need to take care of myself if I want to take care of others.

Perspective:   I know I can loose this.   I know it is only 16 pounds.   It is not the weight that bothers me so much as the fact that the numbers tell a story of me letting myself go to the side.   My wedding ring is tight.....like really tight.   That sucks.   But, it is what it is and in the perspective thing it is a small thing to stress about.  I just need to eat right and move.   Simple right?!?!?!?

*I have joined a boot camp at the Y.....that will help me get up and go and have accountability for it. :-)
*I am planning on cleaning out the pantry today so if you want some chips, or candy come on by!

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

I have a list of the typical….

1-Eat better/go to the gym

2-Focus on my kids

3-Focus on my husband

4- Make my prayer life more important each day.

But, why?   This is something that I want to do each year.   Each Day.   So, I am on a mission to come up with a better New Year’s Resolution.   One than is different than my typical daily mantra.   One year we focused on going to the doctor, and it gives me a peace of mind and it is now a part of our daily life.  

So, here it is.....

2013: as my eyes wake up let me grab my kindle for my devotion, then my gym shoes, and after I have taken care of myself, let me focus on those who matter most, and give my husband a kiss in the morning, and hug my kids when I see them.   I will also remember the forgotten.  This year I will find a charity/mission that I will give myself to be a part of.

Ok, done….so really it is not that much different than the list above, but I will put it up in my room and my office.  I have never really done this before. So, maybe that will help.  But, I like to focus on something new that you put into or take out of your life.   Charity is going to be my addition, and not just sending a check, but giving my time.   So, that is the plan.  :-)

I did take a picture of Slick’s when I was up at his school for winter parties….

 

I look a picture of it not to scrapbook it, but to remind him…..you should have seen the Mom’s and Dad’s snapping pictures!!! They said things like, I want to be nice to my sister and brother, I want to do better in school, etc

The Mom that made me giggle was, “Man, my kid wants to write a book, that gives me nothing at home…..”   

Perspective:  I kinda think that Resolutions are a bunch of hogwash....we don't write them because we want to we write them because of peer pressure.   So, I say do your best and remember who you are when you write one!  

Christmas and the Mess...

So, I now have bags of present trash in my living room.  

"Secret Santa" trash in my garage....

The trash is full in the kitchen.....

The new bikes are in our entry way b/c the trash is in the garage.



And our Bins out back are just waiting for the truck tomorrow. 

This does not create holiday bliss for the Type A that I am.   I might go to the dump tomorrow....I also have thought about the "green" in Christmas and well, I just had to stop thinking about that and live in the guilt of helping to fill the landfills.  We did not have a "green" Christmas, we had boxes and wrapping paper, and trash.....

BTW- we have shrimp in my fridge that can not be eaten because they were sitting at room temperature for to long, but can't go in the trash because it is full....

So, what do I do?  

I reorganize all my kids toys while they are brain dead on new technology.

I re-arrange their room and my office space at home......notice the trash can is FULL under my desk....

 
I was still in my PJs all day and I did not go to the gym today (or any day in the past 2 weeks)....so I call it a win.

Perspective:   It was a WONDERFUL Christmas. It just make me giggle that with the joy also comes the trash.......... Oh, and Mr. thinks I am crazy running around taking pictures of trash.........

5 days.....

Ok, this Christmas was totally perfect.  Like I ordered it off amazon. 

Well, there were a few mix ups....I found duplicates of a gift, one in the closet, and one in the attic.  So, both boys got one.   AND  I realized I am becoming my mother.

Dan chipped his front tooth on Dec. 23rd.  So, he is kinda comical to look at. 

The boys did get us up at 5:30am for gifts.  Next year I will change the time to 8:00 so if they pull the Eastern Time thing it will be at least 7:00am.

I was so tired from all the holidays that I fell asleep last night at 7:00......and did not wake up today until 8:00.   So nice.

But, other than that it was so very good.

I got the opportunity to share a Christmas Message at the new church I will serve in January. I did not trip or mess up the message.  It was a great introduction to my new church.   The night went so good.

 I have to say that almost every time I looked at Dan I teared up on Christmas Eve to the point that it became so funny.   I was really fine until he read 'Twas the Night before Christmas.   

 

Then the boys went to bed and woke up to the Christmas magic....

Fruit Snacks

 

 

Never seen a kid look so happy for deodorant...

The boys won the best gift of the year

The gift of mind numbing technology....

Then we got a white Christmas.....like I played the cheesy Christmas music to go with it.  It was totally perfect!!!

Melted Snow Man

Snow Snake.

AND it is 5 days until 2013.......I know I have blogged about living the moment, but I have also said I am ready for 2013!!!   So, 5 days......until 2013!!!   Enjoy the snow day today. I have my coffee in one hand and a power ranger waiting for Mommy to finish her blog.   So, see you all later, I am off to fight the universe!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Well, this is the end to our "Dan-miss" celebration and this is the end of my blog entries about it.

Let me say that Mr. is back to him self. He came home last year on Dec. 26th.

The time that he was home and recovering was really a blur.   He was home.  It was different, he was different, but he was home.  His pic line was removed in the hospital and he was on many different medications (which I happily color coded) and we went to the doctor every week for a while.

 The time that he was home was hard, and wonderful at the same time.   There were moments where I longed for the medical staff to be around us, for the daily reports of his blood work, for the reassurance that he was getting better.  I watched him sleep.  As time went on I was more comfortable to leave him at home with out me.   Then I was able to leave him with our kiddos.  

Time heals, and he has made a full recovery.  He went back to work around March of 2012. 

I still dealt/deal with the Why.  

Why did he get so sick?
Why did he make it? (sound horrible i know....)
Why do others not?

But, the WHY questions are not ever going to be answered.  That has to be ok.  

My Mr. is back, he drives me crazy, he does great things, and we are back to just being a typical family. 

Back in January-March I had a guilt trip anytime I was frustrated with him.  How could I get mad at the man that could not be with us?  But, you know what he is still my husband.  I will still get frustrated with him (and him at me).   I had to get over that.  Therapy helps.

I am having a hard time putting an ending to this story.   I think because the story is not over.   We are living our lives and the story keeps on going.

Perspective:   This story is full of love, full of support, full of faith.  I will never forget the moment when I knew we would be ok.  This was a moment so Holy that I can not put it into words.   It reminds me that we are never alone. This is what changed my perspective on life.  This is what makes me look for the good.   So, on this Christmas morning, the good is AWESOME it was back to our normal.  Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

from Myself, Mr, Slick and Mr. Determined!!!

I have the opportunity to share the Christmas message tonight.  Here is a part of the message....

When you are lost or lonely look to the manger, and you can find yourself in that picture.  It looks perfect....but look past that......

A new mom and dad.....in a new place.  They had to be overwhelmed.
Shepard's that traveled to see this new gift.  They had to be confused and comforted at the same time.
Kings that found an infant that was a King.  They must have been tried from the journey and given some peace at the sight of Jesus.
and the animals had to smell bad....

The tiny baby.  Innocent.   Helpless.  The King.  The gift.

As we spend this Christmas Eve TOGETHER.   I know that what matters most is the gift of hope and peace in this manger.   The gift of the love and people that surround me.  I am thankful and blessed.

Christmas Blessings to all of you!! 

Christmas Eve 2011

This was a not so great day...so you have been warned....

Mr. was still not himself, his body was still so week and hurting.  We thought the surgery on his ankle would help his fever and white blood cell count.  It did not.  This made his mood not always pleasant.   Watching him struggle to sit up, watching him begin to understand the work that he had ahead of him to regain strength,  the fact that he wanted to be home for Christmas and he would not be.  

At this point he still had a fever and his white blood count was crazy.  The other blood work showed improvement in his other organ functions(which was great), but we had to be fever free and his WBC had to show improvement. The doctors though he *might* be home for New Years.   Dan did not like this.  He wanted to be home.

When I think back........ I think that Christmas Eve was the hardest night on me as a Mom and Wife.

I did not want to share my sadness with others.  

We spent the morning with Dan but he was very tired and grumpy and having massive headaches so we did not stay very long.  It was still hard to see "my man" as somebody else.

I knew that at this point the more rest and quite Mr. could get the better.  So, I kissed his sleeping face and the boys and I went to do some family stuff. 

We were supposed to host the family this Christmas Eve.  That was not going to happen so we went to Dan’s parent’s house that afternoon for an awkward Christmas Eve lunch/dinner. 

The boys and I then went to church with my parents.  This service was so hard for me.  In the quiet of the service I had time to reflect.  This was not such a good thing.  I had so many conflicting emotions:

I was so angry about Dan getting so sick.  Why?

I was so thankful that he was on a road to recovery. 

I was so thankful that he did not die.  (It was really hard to write that).........

I was so sad that he was struggling with being so week.

I was thankful that he would be able to come home and not have to go to a rehab center.

I was simply sad and full of joy at the same time.

I was a going through the motions.  I LOVE Christmas Eve service it is one of my favorite times of the year.   The lights go down and the candles shine the love and gift of Christmas.  I had my kids by my side as the war of emotions was battling in my head/heart/soul. 

 I sang, I lifted my candle but I also knew my Mr. was alone in a hospital room.    

That sucked.

We went home and wrote a note to Santa, put out the Milk and cookies, put out the manger scene for Santa; I kissed the boys and put them to bed.

I then did what Mr. and typically  do together, but I did it alone.  It stunk. 

 But, again I was so thankful that next Christmas I knew we would be together. 

The war of emotions was still battling in my heart. 

Perspective:  It is hard to be Thankful and Angry at the same time.  But, each emotion was real.  I had to accept that.  I also had to put into perspective that this really was just a bump in our life. This was not cancer or some other horrible illness.  It was what it was.   I had to focus on the good, because the good was AWESOME.  He was with us.  I did not have to plan a funeral.  I had an imperfect Christmas.....full of wonderful joy and saddening sorrow. 

Hospital Life....

So, we have skipped a few days, but really they were all the same.  Dan was now in a hospital room, he had a massive headache, his body hurt, he still had 4-5 IVs at all times, he still had a fever and he still thought that he would be home for Christmas.

This was also the day that our church had a traveler’s Christmas Eve Service.  I had decided that a little piece of normal would be good so I was going to be a part of that service.

I spent the morning with Dan and his brothers were coming by to hang with him in the evening. 

I went to help set up for the service and then went to go change and get ready.  

Then my phone rang.  

It was Dan he was going in for surgery at 6:00 for his ankle.  They had determined that he had a massive infection in his ankle and they needed to remove it and repair the torn tendon. I mean bacterial meningitis, septic blood, and ICU were not enough for Dan, he also needed surgery on his ankle.  Perfect. 

Well, that is just great….one of the few times that I decide to leave Dan's room they decided to do surgery.  So, I hang up with Dan and call his brothers. ( Ok, before I called his brothers I had an ugly cry) They were on the way to the hospital.  I decided to continue on to church. I had told my kids I would be there (they were at my parents) I had told the church I would be there and frankly Dan still did not know what day it was or my name.  So, Dan’s brothers were there with him and I would leave immediately after the service and go back to his bed side. 

That service was amazing, it lifted my spirit, it renewed my soul, it was perfect.  I kissed my crying kids (they wanted to go with me) and ran to the hospital to see how Dan was recovering after surgery…..But, as hospitals work they were running late and he was still in his room about to leave for surgery.  I got to be by his side, say a prayer, and kiss his lips before he went back.  What a gift.   That night the waiting room was filled with dear friends that sat with me until 11:00 when his surgery was complete.  It went good and the cleaned out the infection and repaired the ankle.  

Perspective:  Again, I have to say in situations like this always go with your gut.  It all worked out, I got to be at a Christmas Service with my boys on my lap, and then kiss the lips of my hubby.  It all worked out.   

The kids....

Well, remember I did not call 911.  That is the good thing for the kids.  They did not see their daddy being put on an ambulance.  They knew he was sick, had seen him at home not looking great but they never saw him in ICU. 

Our pastor talked to them and let them know that Daddy was in the hospital and would be in the hospital for a while.  They had no clue what was going on, but in my opinion in a good way. 

I remember Slick saying at one point, “Mom, I think this is hard on you…but we are going to the movies, having sleepovers, etc.”   I will say that it was hard on me.  I gave my kids to my parents and my friends and just focused on Mr.   I don’t know if I would do this differently.

One day our pastor told me, “Go spend time with your kids.”  I was like, oh yeah…them.   Sounds really bad, but it was our reality.  I asked them what they wanted to do....their response, "Can we just go home and hang out?"....This was another of my *crap* moments.  I felt like a horrible mother.  

The hospital stay and the fact that it was Christmas break was not so great.  They were not in school all day, so their normal was already off.  The fact that nobody was at home just made it that more “off”.

I truly think it was harder on them when Mr. came home (December 26th) and was not himself.  That was hard on all of us (Mr. included) but the reality of Daddy not being able to walk or really hold conservation was real.  Now, at this time he was talking and all, just not quite who we knew him to be. 

This made us a stronger family unit.  It made us rely on each other like we had never done before.  It made us know that true love was and is a part of our family.  It changed us, but for the better.  The kids may not make it through a night at a sleep over, but who cares.  They will one day.

We did have a some fun in the hospital.  We would go up and down the stairs, get totally lost, drive through the parking garage for fun just to get to the top, we played lots of card games, and we still laugh about Mr.'s "meningitis brain" moments.  

Dressing up at the hospital.

Ninjago battles

Smiles.

Perspective: Kids are amazing creatures.  They are stronger than we give them credit for.  They are smarter than we give them credit for.  They are such a source of joy (well and sometimes annoying fighting among siblings) but let them be.  Because all in all- kids are real and full of truth.  Listen to them, they know more than us at times because they take the time to listen.  

ICU

Well, let me say that ICU is full of wonderful medical staff!   They know what they are doing and I just had to get out of the way.   Mr. was confused, he did not know who I was, what year it was, that we had children.  That last one was hard to hear.  He had no memory of our kids.

I kept asking the nurse and doctors how long we would be in ICU.  The nurse always said, “Until I am not worried about him anymore.”  The doctor finally told me to expect at least a week probably more like 2 weeks in ICU and then a extended stay in the hospital, and probably a rehab hospital to get him strong enough to come home.  *This did not register*  I heard, "He will come home."

So, I was told that he had streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial meningitis.  They were worried that it was another kind (that is worse).  So, I went to the waiting room to tell my friends and family.   I love my friends and family.  I was happy with this diagnosis; I had not been sitting in the waiting room on web.md looking up meningitis like they had.  They hugged me and were happy with me.  Then when I went back to the room is when they had their *crap* moment. 

Let me say during this time in ICU Mr. was confused and kept trying to break out.  He ripped about 4+ IV’s out, he kept saying he needed to go somewhere.  He was not nice.  He still did not know me.  It was like a bad version of ground hogs day.  About every 10 minutes he would wake up and try to break free.  I would say, “You are sick, your job is to sleep.”

The first time I left him was Saturday night.  I went home to grab a shower during the hospital shift change.    I remember walking out of the ICU with his nurse telling me to call anytime, etc.  I remember my legs getting week as we approached the doors.  It was like with every step I understood more how bad this was.  I walked out of the door and collapsed in the arms of my friend.  I was broken.   When I was in the room with him I did not have time to be sad and worried, I could just focus on him.  I remember with ever step towards the doors of the ICU reality hit me. I remember being so worried I would never get him back.  I melted in the arms of my friend (who I really should get her some counseling....poor thing!)

OK, so long story shorter…..Saturday night I went back and he was physically doing the same mentally he was mean, angry, and confused.  Then he found a gift, sleep. So, about 11:30 the nurse convinced me the sleep would be a good thing for me also, so I went home.  He was on 1:1 care (the nurse had him as his only patient).  So, I felt ok to grab a shower and a few hours of sleep.  I remember waking up to a quiet house.  No kids, no Mr.  It sucked.  I lost my mind.  I was so scared, mad, sad, etc. It was a Sunday morning, this was not how Sundays went.   Then I went to pray, and I had no words.  I called my pastor broken, and he said, "That is your prayer".  So, my prayer before I walked back into the hospital was I was scared, angry, and I have no words to pray.  Amen.

I went back to the hospital and got the report of the rest of his night, not so great….they finally had to put him in restraints to keep him down.  I was sitting in the room with the nurse; I was just holding his hand and praying so very hard. I could pray for him, it was weird.  I just had no words when I was involved.   I think at this point I kind of got that this was not a good place to be in, that bacterial meningitis was not a great thing to have.  Maybe it was the 1:1 care, the 6-7 IVs that he had, the medical team letting me know that I did everything I could to get him to the hospital..or the fact that he did not know me.

I was not in a good place.

Then it happened. Sunday morning about 10:00am...

He woke up and knew who I was.  He did not know my name, but he knew me.  He even talked.   This was my Facebook update “Dan is talking and joking around. He was surprised it is Sunday!! We will be in ICU today at least then a room for about a week or so. I am so happy to have my smart a$@ hubby back!"

Perspective: In the darkest moments keep the faith, what ever your faith is, keep it!  I know that if things had not turned around at 10:00 on Sunday morning I would still have my faith. It keeps me strong when I am week. 

A Year Ago Dec. 17-18,2011

So this is when it gets scary.  2:00am Mr. wakes me up by banging on the wall. He can’t talk.  I call my parents and my neighbor…..I don’t call 911?!?!? I have learned that if your hubby can’t talk just call 911.  But, this is what I did…..

My Dear Neighbor comes over and helps me get Mr. in the car.  It felt like it took 2 hours I think it was about 15 minutes.  He is weak,he is not able to talk. (Now, if you ask him he was able to tell us how cold he was, etc.)  I leave my neighbor at my home on her knees praying and begin driving to the local ER.  So, this is how my brain was working….I was thinking I need people to meet me at the entrance of the ER (just like any typical ER show) so THIS is when I decided to call 911.  The much smarter man on the phone advised me to pull over and an ambulance will meet us.  I had just passed our local fire department so they were there in about 1.5 minutes.   So, here we are on the side of the road, putting my best friend, my rock in the back of an ambulance.   I still had not a clue how serious this was.  This one of the many things that helped him to have a chance….you see I was taking him to a local hospital that was not set up for true ER emergencies.  I did not know that.  This 911 call took him to Plano Presby.  A hospital that was more equipped to handle a case like Dan’s.

My mom pulls up to the ambulance and fire truck on the side of the road.  This was not planned, but a life saver for me.  We took my car and parked it at a local school and then we were off.  I have no clue what was said.  I just remember wanting to get there.  I wished I was in the ambulance.  We got there and waited for the ambulance.  When Mr. arrived, I could not find him in the ER rooms…..this was my first *crap* moment…..he was in the ICU ER room.  I did not know that room existed.  

The room  was full of Doctors and Nurses asking me questions…..Does he have diabetes?  Has he traveled outside the country?  What surgeries has he had? When did he begin showing symptoms?  Have you been in contact with him?  Have your children been in contact with him?

Then I looked up and they are all in head to toe coverings…..face mask, suits, etc.  This is my second *crap* moment.  I do remember my Mom and I looking at each other....like "oh sh**"......

In all the movement, I sat by the side answering questions.  I prayed.  I prayed.  I prayed.  Then the doctor pulled me in the hall.

In this moment. what I remember the most is the eyes of all the medical teams when then looked at me.  They had sadness and worry.  Their faces were positive, their words were reassuring, but their eyes……This is my third *crap* moment.  Then the doctor started talking.   I think my mom was with me, but I don’t know.  He said words like; spinal tap, cancer, meningitis, call the family.  I just kept asking he will be ok right…..the answers I got did not make me feel any better. “We are doing all we can.” *crap, crap, crap*

So, I went to the family room to sit.  I gave my mom and friends the task of calling family.  Mr. was going up to ICU.  What?!?!  ICU?!?!?  He is a healthy strong man.  He is my man. My best friend, my rock, the father to our children.  Then I prayed.  My prayer was of a healing blanket that would cover him.  I did it again, and again, and again.

I had a moment of true peace. Words can not describe it, and I am not a talented artist, so you are just going to have to trust me.  I knew that we would be ok.  Now, let me say I had not a clue what ok was….just that we were walking this with God.  God is good…..everyday.  I was in a state of numbness/peace that would carry me through the next 2 weeks.  Especially the next 2 days. I had a waiting room full of dear friends and family that made me eat, that hugged me, that allowed me to laugh and cry, and most importantly kept my iphone away from me so that I did not understand the battle that Dan was facing.  

Perspective:  Always call 911.  Don't pretend you are living in a TV show, you are not.  TV shows are fake.  

A Year Ago....December 15-16, 2011

A year ago….

So, this time about a year ago.  Life was so very normal…

We just had our family picture taken.

Then it was not.  

This week will focus on the events of last year.  They were scary, they were sobering, they were just plain ol’ bad, they are full of miracles.   These events are what started my new perspective on life.  They were when I had the opportunity to walk on the edge of tragedy.  To see what faith really is, and how much the love that I have for my family is so very true and pure. 

December 15^th:  The Mr. was sick and we both though it was the flu. Dec. 15^th he was up most the night sick, and was having the shakes so bad that I went to the couch to sleep.  He fell down in the bathroom and tore an ACL in his ankle (we would find this out about Dec. 20^th).  This is the night that I look back on and wonder what I missed…….was he really just sick and I ignored it, or was he really so very sick that I had not a clue.  How do you not know when his body was being attacked?  How can you ignore that and call it the flu? 

So, it began….Mr. with the flu.  I was more worried about us getting sick and me missing out on work (kind of the busy season with church work).  So, after him sleeping most the day on Thursday we went to the doctor on Friday morning.   At this point he was having trouble walking and moving his arms.  Our primary doctor was booked so we saw the other Dr.   We walked out of the doctor (Dan using me to walk) with some drugs to help with joint pain and to call on Monday if he was not getting better. 

You all need to know that he had no fever at this point.  But, my gut knew it was not just a virus in the joints.  I could kick myself for not saying more at the doctor.  I could kick myself for not talking him to the ER earlier.  I could kick myself…..ok you get the point. 

I took him home and went to the Holiday parties for the boys (it was the last day before break) and came home to find a sick and week husband.  I wanted to go to the ER, he wanted to let the medication have a chance.  My gut was screaming at me.  But, I listened to his reason.  I went to my local church and borrowed a wheel chair…really?!?!  If you need to borrow a wheel chair and don’t really have a reason you should go to the ER, but life is not as simple when you are living in the moment.  I was just trying to help him get around without my help.    

I had BUNCO that night and just could not leave him.  I just had a gut feeling.  Still he was talking and acting ok, but not right.  So, I canceled.  I stayed home and just watched him sleep.  We had several more “discussions” about going to the ER.  Why was I not more forceful?  But, I did have my plan B….called my neighbor and my parents….if I call you in the middle of the night answer the phone.  I don’t feel good about Dan.   I set my alarm to go off every 2 hours. 

So, this is when the story really begins.  I had fallen asleep (about 2 am) and he woke me by banging on the wall….he could not talk.  

Perspective:  Listen to your gut!  In all decisions LISTEN.....it is your core (and I believe some Holy Spirit) telling you to pay attention!  Your gut does not always match the normal of life, but listen anyway.

The Gift of Giving

So, this time of year we are all making list and checking them twice.   I have reflected on some of my favorite gifts.  The thing that has made them special is not what they are but the thought that goes behind them.

My sister gave me this when I was accepted to SMU:

It was perfect.  The sweatshirt was nice but the small saying has helped me so much in my journey at Perkins.

I received this from a dear friend....

I love the words/picture and I love that she knows that coffee mugs just make my day happier.  So, perfect.

One year as a teacher I received a box of jello. My student wanted to give me a gift so he got it out of his pantry and wrapped it himself.  The love in that present was so pure and perfect!

I guess my point is that the gifts that I remember the most are not fancy presents that cost a fortune or gift cards to my favorite store.   They are gifts that have meaning behind them.  They are an extension of the friendship/relationship. 

This mother's day I got a tree for out back.  It blooms my favorite color (purple) and it is still alive.

This was our Christmas Morning last year.....

I just to be a complete cheese ball.....My greatest gift ever was last Christmas.   It came a day late, but Dan cam home on Dec. 26th.   The gift of having my family under one roof was really all I wanted. (I know, I know cheese ball, but I warned you so stop rolling your eyes.)

Perspective: I am not the best gift giver.  I try, but I do resort to gift cards at times also, but I hope in this season of giving that the gifts I give are more than a box crossed off a list.   My hope is they have some thought and love wrapped into them.