I like beginnings. Beginnings help conquer fears that may hinder you from ever trying something new...like this blog! This will be our family blog...I plan on trying to post at least once a day...even something little, but I have a feeling that my two oldest daughters will be posting much more frequently than I will.
Today is day #4 since my little boys surgery...his 2nd major surgery of this year. Ronnie has bi-lateral hip dysplasia and is now healed...he spent 3 months in a spica body cast last winter and is now healing from the hardware removal...what a brave, uncomplaining little boy! The only thing he is missing right now is playing hockey on the ice...his first love!
I found that the last time we were semi-housebound after his first surgery, it was actually such a gift...of course the best gift was his healing, but also to the whole family...more time at home, more family time, more time with the Lord....actually making more memories. It helped that it was over the winter time in Pennsylvania, too...very cold!
This time, I'm grateful that he is recovering amidst the traditions and memories of Christmas...all the family traditions, cookie baking, singing, roasting marshmellows in the fireplace...his 6 week recovery will over before we know it!
We are very, very blessed with all of our family rallying around us...a wonderful church family and our homeschooling friends....we've had meals brought, friends for him to spend time with and lots of love and care...I think the Lord shows us His love that way frequently. I have been very grateful especially for the meals. I have fibromyalgia, and I had forgetten that after the last surgery, I had a particularly bad fibro flare-up, resulting in a lot of increased pain and terrible fatigue....so this time, by dinner time, I am wiped out and very grateful for the meals! I'm glad that I can look back at His hand on my life and know that "this too, shall pass"....and it is all for Ronnie's good and for the Lord's glory!
Ronnie and I are off to make some Christmas crafts now. His dad and 3 sisters are visiting Grandma for a going away party for my niece. My precious niece, Amanda, is leaving on Wednesday to move to Las Vegas...I'm so grateful for the time we've had growing closer over the years...I'm going to miss her terribly! Her brother, my wonderful nephew, Ben is in the Air Force and has been in Texas...we just got word that he and his wife, Crystal, will be staitioned in Germany soon. How very exciting for them, but we'll miss them, too.....again, beginnings....beginnings for Amanda in Vegas....beginnings for Ben and Crystal in Germany....I pray that all of our family and friends will be blessed by this blog, as much as I think we will be!
I love December! Christmas is coming and everyone is in the holiday mood! Our christmas tree is decorated (see above) with tons of ornaments! We have picture ornaments for every year since birth for all us kids, plus keepsake ornaments, and other cute ones we couldn't bear to part with. Topped with a stained glass star, it is the 'perfect' tree (we say that every year, but its true!). Soon my cousins, Tina and Justin, will come over and decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkles, yum! Thinking of gifts to buy, making a wishlist for yourself... but we rarely stop and think about the reality: Jesus had no decorated house, no cookies or warm afghans to snuggle up in, and only three gifts. He got three gifts, so why should we, his humble servants, get any more? We are no more deserving and yet we sometimes take the christmas story for granted. When everything is crazy getting ready for christmas, stop and think about how much Jesus did without and maybe then you will see a not-quite- full stocking as a blessing and priveledge.