Sorry I didn't get out any Christmas cards this year. Have been quite busy. We pray this journal entry finds everyone doing well.
Just wanted to take the time to catch all of you up on the goings on in our household for the past year. I went back to work for the hospital I worked for previously on January 16, 2006 doing medical transcription as I did for them before. I worked for them prior to moving to Colorado. I specialize in radiology and really enjoy my job. I found working fulltime quite hard with all of my other responsibilities, so in October, I asked them to put me on parttime status. It is working out much better. Going back to work for the hospital has been a good decision, as it provides us with insurance and other great benefits once again. My job has been a huge blessing.
Hubby took a job with a salary, but is still in the construction field. The money is good, so guess we will be staying in Alabama now after all, at least for a while because this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. He, our daughter, and I were hoping to return to Colorado ASAP, but that has changed somewhat. We feel we are where we need to be right now. This job has been a huge blessing.
They had their company Christmas party in the capital city of Alabama. It was in one of the high rise buildings on the 21st floor from which the view was spectacular. I have never been in a high rise building in my life, so that was an experience in itself.
The evening started out with introductions and with Hubby's boss giving the history of how he started his business. He talked about how each person that worked for him had come to work for him and praised them all, including my Hubby and my BIL.
This was one of those dinners that has two glasses and six pieces of silverware and served three courses. I had no clue what piece of silverware to use first, so I watched everybody else to know what to do.
The dinner started with a salad. It was very good. They brought out a small bowl of some kind of ice cream (one scoop), which was meant to clean the palate for the main course, which was filet mignon, something that I don't know what it was, a quiche of some kind maybe, and green beans with rolls on the side. It was delicious. I cleaned my plate.
After the dinner, they rolled out a desert cart that had like probably ten desserts on it. I can't even remember what all it had on it, but some of it was cheesecake which came with strawberries and cream, red velvet cake, chocolate peacan pie, chocolate cake, apple torte, key lime pie, and the list went on................I chose the cheesecake because that is my most favorite dessert in the world. Hubby got the apple torte with ice cream on the side.
After the dinner was over, we went to one of the main halls where it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. We all stood on the stairs where we had our picture made. I hope we all get a copy of it because for once I did not take my camera.
When Hubby took this job, it knocked our son out of a job because he was working with his Dad, so he had to start looking elsewhere for a job. He finally landed one with a local electrician who runs his own business. He had never done this type of job before and finds it really rewarding. I find the fact that he is back working and is happy with his job a huge blessing.
He has really been through the ringer since his now ex walked out on him on 11/15/2003. I don't know that he will ever be the same, but I pray for God to heal him everyday. I don't think I have ever had my heart as broken as it hasbeen over this situation. She filed papers against our son in court in March. We have had to go to court several times over that. When she did that, we cut all ties with her. It saddens both my son and I. I had managed to maintain a good relationship with her up until that point. They both had been able to talk and work things out and even become friends somewhat. She had previously told my son when she first walked out that it could be worked out, but she didn't want to work it out (she felt the grass was greener on the other side). It may be greener, but it still has to be mowed, and what I mean by that is relationships take a lot of hard work!
Our son has not dated at all since their breakup. He says he will never let another woman do to him what she did to him and put him through the pain she has put him through. I pray for my ex-DIL and the choices she is making, and I pray for healing for my son and ask that you all do the same. I no longer want them to work things out as I did for so long. I do hope to see our son happy again. I hope my ex-DIL can also find happiness, but at this point and time, after the immense pain she has caused our family, I do not wish to see her. I don't hate her, I pray for her, but she is no longer a part of our lives, as she threw us away like garbage. It caused my son, daughter, and I to have major depression problems. My daughter and I have been in therapy. Son is too old for my insurance. ::sigh:: Ithas taken some time in therapy for me to realize I need to let go for my son's sake, so he can move on, and we can also. I do know now, it is truly for the best. I bear my ex-DIL no ill will. I hope she finds the happiness she so desperately seeks. Our son has been through a lot to only be 24.
He has also been dealing with a pinched nerve in his back and been going to the chiropractor for that. It is a recurring problem. I pray for healing for him.
Our daughter is a freshman in high school this year. She is on the newspaper and has enjoyed that. She loves to write and is always writing something. She had posted some of her writing on her favorite author's website. This author emailed our daughter telling her that she really had talent and to let her know when she had something to publish, and she would help her get published. I think that is quite an accomplishment for a 14-year-old.
She returned to public school this year. She grew tired of being homeschooled, as she really loves the socialization that comes along with public school. She is a people person like her Dad. I was quite shy when I was younger, but have grown to be more sociable as I got older.
Our daughter also helped out at a church bazaar fundraiser this past Spring. She helped with the dunking booth. This was the first time she met the young man who is now her steady boyfriend. He is a senior this year. She went to her first dance at his school (his homecoming dance). I don't think I am ready for this and I know Hubby isn't, but the kicker is that our son is worse about it than we are. Who would have ever thought that?
Most of my family thinks I am doing the wrong thing by letting her see her BF while she is so young. Maybe I am, but I have my reasons and she is my daughter last time I checked. It is up to Hubby and I to decide what is best for our daughter. Since meeting her boyfriend, she has not been as depressed. I think he is good for her. I keep a close watch on them, believe me!!!!
Hubby and I both have had some health issues this year. He and I both have suffered from hypothyroidism. We both have been on medication for it. I have also been dealing with plantar faciitis and heel spurs in both feet. It has been quite painful to walk and is worse when I first wake up inthe morning or anytime I have to be on my feet for hours at a time. Thank goodness my job is a sit-down job!!!!! My doctor has put several cortisone shots in my foot, which always gives immediate relief. He made some special orthotics for my tennis shoes. He told me to get some men's New Balance tennis shoes and wear only them, I am to wear nothing else. He told me to wear the orthotics for 4-5 months and if my feet still are not better, they will require surgery. Let's pray the orthotics work!!!!!!
I also have tendonitis in my right wrist and left shoulder. I had to go to physical therapy for that. They are both doing some better, I just need to keep up my PT exercises. I am quite happy to say I am finally beginning to feel better. I even had to break down and go to a dermatologist for my rosacea (good old adult acne). Those meds set me back $400. I am in my 40's and I am suffering with acne? What gives? I thought I was done with that during my teen years!
Sadly on October 25th, we lost Hubby's Dad. He would have turned 84 on November 6th. He had emphysema from years of smoking and his lungs just finally gave out. If ever it is my time to go, I want to go out peacefully like Dad did asleep in my own bed with my family around me. I and another sister-in-law, and some of his grandchilren were around him singing one of his favorite hymns, Amazing Grace, when he stepped from this world into the next.
Life has been different without him that is for sure. Thanksgiving was hard. We celebrated it with Don's Mom in light of the fact she had lost her husband one month before. The first holidays after losing a loved one always are hard. He is the one who always said the Grace. This year, it fell on his next-to-oldest son who was the oldest son present. Mom cried while he said Grace. I knew it was because she was thinking that Dad always said it. They had been married over 60 years when he passed. She has really been missing him. God answered so many of my prayers in this situation, there just isn't space or time to go into it here. We know he has gone on to a better place. He said to us to do what we can to make sure all of his family gets right with God because he wants to see us all again one sweet day.
Christmas this year was quite different. My husband, children and I celebrated on Christmas Eve, because where I usually do my job from home, I had to go in and work on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th on site at the hospital.
I got done early on Christmas day and we went to my cousin's to celebrate Christmas with my family. We always play dirty Santa instead of buying gifts for everyone (much cheaper that way). It was fun and the food was all wonderful. We have some great cooks in our family!
When we got back home, I had more exams waiting to be typed and I worked until about 1:30 AM. I was one tired woman when I went to bed!!!! I slept till noon the next day!
My Mom has had to have rotator cuff surgery twice after an injury in an auto accident last November. Would so appreciate prayers/good thoughts for her. Don's Mom keeps having TIA's. It is like mini-strokes, but with TIA's they only last for a few minutes and when it is over, she usually is back to herself. Please keep both our Mom's in your prayers.
The year started out well, made several turns for the worse, and then seems to be ending on a good note. God has truly blessed us in many ways. Let us pray that 2007 will be good all around for all of us.
We pray for you a blessed, happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!~
P.S. I had a hard time convincing Hubby I had bought him another pickup for Christmas. It is a 2002 Chevy Silverado. It has the camper top he needs to keep his tools dry and from being stolen. I will take over driving the new Dodge Ram we bought back last March, and our son is taking over my Buick LaSabre, so everybody is happy.
