Merry Christmas

I will blog again later when I get some pics of the day, but for now, I am at work and no one needs their blood drawn--darn! No, really, that is a good thing. I don't want to see anyone here today. How sad to be in the hospital on Christmas day! It was a FUN ride into work this morning. I followed a truck that was spinning all over the road. The rain started last night and turned to snow at about 3am. That makes for some icey roads! All the merrier I say! I love the snow. I love driving in it too. I'm a little crazy that way! I get to go home at 10:00am so I'll post more later when I can take pics of family. I hope Jessica can make it up. We aren't sure yet what the road conditions will be. Mom and Dad, Jordan, Carmella and Jacob are supposed to come up from Payson this morning around 10 or so. We'll see. It may just be us and Kyle and Kevin, Faith and Ellery. This storm is supposed to be big! Woo Hoo!!! I just wish it would be big AFTER everyone gets here! That would be my perfect Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!

SICK AND TIRED

I am soooooo sick today. It started with a very sore throat two days ago. I worked both days. Last night it went to a very runny nose and my throat felt like it was closing off and very scratchy. All day to day I have been using nose drops, taking antihistimines, drinking hot cider and tomatoe soup, and just laying around. I had to call in to work sick. I hate doing that. I know it is hard on whoever is called to fill in. I was sitting here in the computer room seeing if Jessica had posted any new pics on her blog, when the doorbell rang. I couldn't not answer it cause I knew they saw me through the window. It was the Elders! Auggghhhhh. I am just hoping to get better before Christmas. I have so much to do and really wanted to use today, before work at 4:30, to get some things done. Oh well, I learned many years ago that Christmas comes whether we are ready or not. I love this time of year. I love everything about it. . . . the lights, the carols, the snow, the smells, the bells, the treats, the clean movies on tv. I love having children around on Christmas day and watching the magic and wonder of all of the gifts and the food, and the games and the laughter. This year we have all of my family coming---even a cousin and his wife and little boy. It will be wonderful. Kyle is flying in on Christmas Eve and Jeff will go down to get him. Jessica will come either Christmas afternoon or the next day. My parents and brother and his family are coming too. What fun to have family together! There isn't anything that beats being with them for the holidays! I am so grateful that I was able to have children. I am so sorry for those who can't. What a lonely time of year for couples with no kids--- especially if they don't have family close by! I am so blessed!

I used a yucky green color to write this, because that is how I feel today. Yucky, and sort of "green"! Tomorrow HAS to be better! If it is, I'll write again in a pretty color and I'll post some pics of my favorite Christmas things. If it's not. . . . I won't write at all. I am going to take some serious cold medicine (Nyquil). 'til tomorrow. . . . ciao!

Let It Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful. . .

But the fire is so delightful!

And since we've no place to go. . .

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

Live Each Day. . .

This picture was taken at Christmas 2002. My how time flies by! I thought about how quickly time goes by because of a lady I met at work today.

A woman came to the hospital to get her blood drawn. As I was "doing what I do", she shared with me that she had been diagnosed with Lymphoma 11 years ago and was given 6 months to live. She suffered through many treatments of Chemo and Radiation. She had many tumors growing throughout her body. Her children were young (18, 14 and 11). Six months went by and she was still here. A year, two years, 5 years. . . and she was still here. She decided to stop all treatments, stop waiting to die, and try to live a normal life for as long as she had left. 11 years later she is still here. She told me she has wanted to be here for her children. She doesn't want to miss out on their lives. She doesn't want them to grow up without her. They are 30, 25, and 22 now. Before she left, she took my hand in hers and said "Live each day"! I have heard her voice in my mind all day today. "Live each day".

I guess the only question is. . . what does "live" mean?

I believe that to "live", is to be honest. It is, to be compassionate to all around me. It is, to be Christlike. To live is to do all in my power to make a difference to someone that day. It is to smile when I see someone. It is making sure that the words that pass my lips are kind, lifting, thoughtful, and positive. It is being organized. It is being ready to go if need be. It is appreciating the beauty of not only each day, but each hour of each day. It is touching. It is loving. It is faith. To live each day, is to breath deep, walk tall, and eat well.

And of course, it means there must be laughter!!!!