Catching Up

Whew! I made it. School was out today at 1:00 and I am free for two much needed weeks of Christmas break. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job - the good days and the bad. It just seems like this time of year life gets so crazy that I find myself longing for the time off to just spend time with Brad and the girls doing absolutely nothing. Between work, meetings, and special programs at school, I feel like we haven't been home together in weeks. In fact, last week Brad and Lily went to OKCity for 4 days to visit Jay for his birthday. They came home Wednesday night, and Gracie and I left Friday night to go to Lubbock for the weekend. In between I had something going on at school both Wednesday and Thursday nights, so I haven't seen much of Lily or Brad in a while.

The trip to Lubbock was great. It was the first time that Gracie and I have gone out of town on a "special" trip, just the two of us. We went to see Amy Carr graduate from LCU (Congratulations again, Amy!!!). It was neat to be able to take my daughter to visit my Alma mater. I haven't been back to Lubbock in years. And I am so thankful that Gracie was able to see Amy's accomplishment. She adores Amy and I am thankful for the example that she continues to be for my kid.

My mom has started the last round of chemo. Only 3 more weeks left. Things seem to have settled a bit. She still feels pretty rotten some days, but it is much more manageable than a few weeks ago. The germy kids and I are just ready for her blood count to be normal at the same time that she feels like seeing people. I think that I can count on one hand the number of times that we have seen her over the past 2 months. We are counting down the days until January! After that, she will see a radiologist so that they can decide whether or not she will need to have radiation. Keep praying! I know that she is lonely and ready for it all to end, but most of all we all pray for total and complete healing.

We don't have big plans for Christmas. Brad's sister and her family are going to Michigan, so his dad may come here for a few days. We have plans to see my family on Christmas Eve if my mom is feeling alright. Brad (of course) has to work Christmas Day, so there will be a VERY EARLY morning Santa "reveal" and then I will get to torture my children the rest of the day making them wait until Brad is home from work to open their gifts. Sounds fun, huh?!? Wherever you and your family will be, I wish you safe travel, precious time spent with loved ones, and a very Merry Christmas!