Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We had an AWESOME Christmas! We went to the 6pm Candle Light service at church, came home and opened presents and then, got up Christmas morning at 4am and left to drive to the property. Nothing is really open on Christmas day - not McDonald's, not Hardees, nothing but Waffle House where we ate breakfast and dinner and the "On the Run" Exxon station where we ate nachos and hot dogs for lunch! It was hilarious! We spent Christmas night at the Dillard House then went up to the property and stayed Saturday night. It was COLD, crisp and clear and, on Sunday, we drove to the Smoky National Parkway and found SNOW! The girls had a BLAST (Don did, too) and then, we drove home Sunday night. All in all - F-U-N was had by all!

Back to a routine ~ sort of!

I started back to work, part days, this week. I've been TIRED! Crazy that I feel this way. But, so far, I have only used 2 hrs. of "sick time" coming home early Monday and today. I am taking all day Friday off for Hannah and I to spend the day together and have a short week next week, too. I can slowly feel my strength coming back. My energy levels are sky HIGH in the morning but I peter out by 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon. I am trying to listen to my body and not overdo it but, for me, that is EXTREMELY difficult!

PS: Claire danced Victorian Christmas last Friday - freezing cold and windy weather - and did a beautiful job. Her class also danced with the Advanced class for Camellia Gardens Nursing Home last night. She is so graceful and flowing when she dances! She is a JOY to watch. We will be at Hannah's Christmas Band Concert tomorrow. She made District Honor Band again this year - 4 years in a row! Both the girls are so talented :)

My last week at home - Yay! and Ahhh...????

This will be my last full week at home after surgery. In many ways, I am anxious to get back to work and to feel productive again! On the other hand, it has been nice to be home for awhile. I really like my house and being in it. I am probably the epitome of the "home body" because nothing makes me happier than cleaning the house, folding laundry and just being home but, since I started back to work last March at SWSH, I have also come to realize how lonely I was staying home. I really enjoy the people contact and the sense of urgency an office situation brings to everyday life.

I have much to be thankful for this season and much to still work on as we near another "new beginning". I have discovered a renewed sense of who I am in God being through so much surgery over the last month. I have also come to realize how much Don loves me and how deeply concerned he is about me. I have also seen that my girls are growing up right before my eyes! They have been so willing and so able to do things for me and to take the burden from me. As we approach the new year and "resolution time", I have decided to not make resolutions but, rather, to make changes in my life that will positively effect my family and those with whom I come in contact. The changes will begin as I renew and strengthen my prayer life. From there, I am sure God will provide the path.