So here we are December 23rd, presents are wrapped and under the tree, house is vacuumed but not so clean yet...but I feel way better than I did two days ago...from here on in if it isn't done it probably won't be...and that's okay...we are off to have a evening bonfire and weiner roast with some friends maybe sing a few songs...we'll see how many once they hear my singing (hee hee). Tomorrow morning we'll go to church and house hop for some visiting...this will be a little different for x mas eve as usually we do it at our house or mom and dad's but I'm feeling good with the change!

The girls had their x-mas play on Thur nt at the Community Theatre...other than a few sound tech problems it was wonderful! The girls both did amazing...their confidence on stage has totally gone up a notch this year!

We'll just in case I get busy over the next few days with my family..which is what my idea of x-mas is after all...Merry Christmas to everyone!

I have a huge list of things I should be doing to get ready for Christmas...but I'm procrastinating! It has been a challenging couple of days for all four of us! I think it is partially the winter blues, partially the Christmas pressure I put on myself and just a whole bunch of small things that have been piling up!

I had applied for two jobs...one has decided not to hire until February the other chose someone else that I know and love - she is a great pick...not sure that that makes it any easier...the reality is that God has a different plan for me - I just wish I knew what it was!

Darren is almost done his third year of school ...only a few more days left! But I can see in his eyes how tired he is.

We are also struggling with the expectations of Christmas vs. the reality of what we can actually accomplish. Not just the gift giving part of it...the baking, card writting, house cleaning, company hosting....It's not a wonder getting to work is feeling so hard when I feel like I have so many unfinished things at home.

So a bah humbug for tonight to myself and hopefully I will figure out how to create "opportunity" from my "crisis" by tommorrow!

Okay time for some updating....first - today is my Birthday! Yes, 21 again! Isn't it wonderful to look so old yet really be so young?!

We picked up a tree last Friday nt...to our dismay...the needles started falling off once the lights were on but before the decorations went on...so tonight we went down and thought we would try it again...different kind of tree this time!

Darren is 1/2 way thru his third year of carpentry (the school part)...his marks so far are all in the 90's he's been studying very hard! I am so proud of him!!!

Kids also got their report cards and are both doing very well - again very proud of them too!!!

On a harder note...we just past the one year mark from when we lost Darren's dad....some days seem easier than others...the whole thing still seems very surreal! Doesn't feel right...doesn't feel fair!!! Still miss him more than I ever could have imagined!

It has now been three months since I started working of Rise and Run Mfg. It has been a challenging experience in many ways...trying to figure out if this is just growth or if it is time to move onto the next challenge...we'll see what God's plans are - hopefully that will be clear sooner than latter!

It is Christmas party season...and the celebrations have already begun! This weekend we have 4 different christmas things...Fri nt party, Sat nt party, Sun day xmas play practice, Sun nt Home for the holidays tour with Darren's mom...all of which I'm looking forward to...just not sure when I'm going to fit in the 4 hours of work I need to do between Friday and Sunday nt...

Hope all is well for you Blog readers...here's some notes to a few of you that I'm thinking of...Nat - hope you and Just are recovering! Send you both a big hug! Kathy - thanks for your extra help (with both jobs) so nice to see you! Jen P. Thanks for the visit a few weeks ago - I love shopping with you! Denise and the Family - think of you more than you know - you all continue to be in my prayers! Lori - you live so close yet I see you so little! so glad I have your Blog to check in with. Bob and Kathy - you inspire me! thanks for the call tonight! Jen and Trevor - hope all is well in that rainy wet part of the world...we think of you both often!

Oh ya one last thing...here are a few of my cool birthday gifts...a new sweater (it's very cool!), a plastersine rainbow and a CD series "Inspired by the Bible Experience" it is awesome!

May God continue to show us all the blessings in our lives everyday - even in the little things! Night!