Our Christmas Gift to You

This year has been both joyous and, let's say, interesting. It started innocently enough, but we encountered snags that had us stopping and counting our blessings.

Stephanie is now a junior in high school where she is doing really well. She is also a licensed driver, which has turned out to be a huge blessing for me. In February she went with Steve to a Dr Who convention in Los Angeles and came home with joy and excitement of her experiences there with her dad. I really love listening to her serenade us on the piano.

Scott is truly a teenager now. He somehow manages to escape upstairs every chance he gets. He is in 8th grade and loves playing the baritone in band and the piano in jazz band. We are pleased that he was selected to participate in the county Honor Band. There were 5 students selected from his school and they have to practice their music over the Christmas break and their concert will be in January. In September he earned his Life badge in Boy Scouts. He has set a goal to get his Eagle project done this summer.

Steve has been working hard to provide for us, planning our big 'Holiday', doing the weekly shopping, and being the best husband I could ask for! He continues to work 'at' Microsoft as a contract worker and enjoys the top secret work he does. Between getting our passports, booking travel arrangements, securing tickets for the events in London, he was on top of it.

It seems like I have spent much of my year in my recliner. The tendons in my right foot first tore, they were repaired in October 2012. Then just when we thought I was 'healed', they ruptured. The second surgery my doctor did another repair, which included hardware to hold things together. After each surgery the time to be non-weight bearing increases...I consider myself a bit of a pro getting around on a knee scooter. My lovely tendons in my right foot just didn't like me, so they stopped working. Hence the need for the 3rd surgery, which took place 2 weeks ago. This time he fused bones together which should allow me to walk normally.

So what does a person do when they are tied to a chair? Read lots of books, knit, play games on my Surface, and watch the seasons change through the Windows.

As a family we went on our fabulous European Holiday in November, so my Christmas shopping was done online or through family and friends. Please see my blog at sweetrt.blogspot.com for our vacation photos and stories.

I need to publicly thank Amber Dyer for taking these wonderful photos. We went out on a cold autumn day after school and she captured us perfectly. Thank you Amber!