Ah yes Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus and the celebration of several days off of school for this weary teacher!
I must confess that I was pretty darn excited to win 2nd place in the “who can sleep in the longest” family contest on Sunday the day after Christmas. Yep this mom slept in until 10:15, Tyler won it all and slept until 11:05, but I was pretty content with 2nd place.
R.E.S.T is what I needed, and I am thankful that is what I got!
You know you must be a mom when you get very excited about a rare moment to sleep in AND I may add, you get excited about getting a new toaster for Christmas!
I have found that through this entire ordeal with my dear hubs that I tend to be much more tired than normal! I guess that is how I handle the stress of it all, I frequently ponder when I will be able to get my next nap and how soon ’til bedtime!
But alas Christmas day was a nice, NORMAL, relaxing day for us! We opened presents together as a family Sat. morning then headed to my parent’s house for the day. And Tyler with a newly earned learner’s permit in hand got to drive some of the trip!
Christmas Day really drove home to me the importance of taking time to relax and revive! Days like that are going to be important to all of us. It will be while relaxing and reviving our hearts we will find strength to press on in this journey.
Curt apparently took the R & R to heart, I noticed he had dozed off during the present opening! (And for those of you who are wondering if this couch has ever been entered in the “Ugliest Couch Contest”, Yes I believe it already has! :))
Tyler also took the R & R thing to heart……..found him sprawled on the kitchen floor like this after dinner. Such a proud mom moment!!!
Christmas Day also emphasized to me the importance of family during tough times. Both Curt’s family and my family have really supported us during this unexpected detour in life! It’s good to gather together and be there for each other! I have always emphasized the importance of family, now it’s nice to see it all in action. After all you only have one family, love them and support them……..and we are thankful to now be on the receiving end of that! I know it also means a lot to Madi……shown here with her wonderful, supportive cousins!
We are thankful for this Christmas, and we are thankful for each of you who have supported us. I have lots to tell of the many special blessings we have received………God’s timing is perfect. We continue to press on by the prayers of God’s people, friends and family support, coffee, naps, encouragement from God’s word, sweet cards sent in snail mail, and encouraging emails, lots of hugs, kind and gentle words spoken to us, and sweet gifts given to us!
Please continue to pray for us, we were disappointed that Johns Hopkins called last Friday to cancel Curt’s appointment for today. He was to have an initial evaluation by a specialist there. We were hoping they could answer lots of questions, find a good med for him, give us a more defined diagnosis and prognosis. He is now rescheduled for Jan. 14th.
Also pray for Curt to keep busy during the day, he tends to become a bit depressed at times. Not horribly depressed, just down ( and who wouldn’t be!).
Pray for the kids as they continue to adjust to their Dad not really being the Dad they have grown used to. They need to make adjustments to their expectations, which can sometimes be hard for teenagers!
Pray for wisdom for all the decisions that need to be made…..especially for me in this area. I have learned a ton about medicaid, medicare, health care, wills, durable power of attorney etc…but I still feel clueless!
~Thanks!!
Jesus and Dark Chocolate 
ugh to John Hopkins! Thank God for family support…Hurray for naps… I am praying for you!
I’m glad that you had a restful Christmas. I wish that the Johns Hopkins visit had happened…but, all will happen in God’s timing.
Continuing to lift you and your family up in prayer. —Dawn
Hey Sam, I was praying for you guys – sorry the appointment got cancelled. Glad you got some good rest – that is a must! You and your family are in my prayers. love, Ann
I’m glad you got some good rest. I said on FB Saturday night that I don’t think anyone sleeps more soundly than a parent the night of the 25th!
And be patient with yourself – stress, anxiety, and change are physically exhausting. It is perfectly normal to be as tired as you are.
I hope the remainder of this week is quiet and full of rest and sweet family time!
Glad to read you had a restful Christmas and that your family are all very supportive of each other. Sorry to hear about the cancellation of appt. – may the Jan. 14th appt yeild great results – answer question, find good medications, etc. Praying for all of you.
Liza
I am definitely keeping all of these requests, Sandy. I am honored to pray for you and everyone in your family. I also have a prayer partner, Monica, (not a blogger and she hates FB!) who is lifting you all up in prayer.
I am so thankful that you had a relaxing xmas…..love the photos and yay for your son on his permit. I am still hesitant about letting Courtney drive in snow (yes we finally have some white stuff…got 8 inches on monday! but now it’s melting due to warm temps….lol…of course I am counting the days..er..months til hiking and kayaking weather!)….anyways…be blessed this week, enjoy the coffee and naps, etc. I will refer back here often for these specific requests and you are listed in my prayer journal (private one). Please know you are surrounded in a “bath of prayer”…..hugs to you!
Faith
Happy NEw Year and tell your Madi we LOVE (i just showed my Claire the pics) the socks she is wearing in the pic with her cousins!!
Do you have an email address I could write to?
Just wanted to take a moment to tell you I’m praying for your family. I’ve been meaning to comment ever since you shared Curt’s diagnosis and I’m sorry it took me so long.
The grace with which you’re handling this whole thing is truly remarkable. I can see how your family is allowing this trial to bring you closer to one another and to Him, and it’s clear God is getting all the glory. His name is being lifted up through each and every blog post, and I know the way you all are choosing to respond will minister to many people, strengthening those who already know Him and drawing in those who don’t.
This *is* a highly unusual situation, and for that reason, it captures people’s minds and hearts in a special way. I know your community both online and offline are being blessed by your testimony. I hope this doesn’t come across as undermining the pain and struggle you are experiencing…but…I am actually excited to see what God is going to do for your family next as He walks with you each step of the way. The future will be different than you first envisioned, but I know from my own trials and from His word that His plan always, always, always works together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Many blessings to you and your family in 2011! Amazing things are ahead for you. I know it. 🙂