Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.....yeah, you know the drill.

Only a couple more weeks till Christmas!! YAY.  (Can you SMELL the sarcasm......?)  Okay, seriously folks.....I know Christmas comes but once a year and all that jazz..... I ALSO know why we celebrate Christmas (it ain't Santa, just sayin'...)...........but seriously???  Christmas always leaves me feeling:  A.  Broke.  B.  Frustrated & Tired.  Know why? I'm sure you do.......Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE seeing certain folks that I only get to visit with once a year.  I LOVE seeing my kids' faces light up with all the reasons for the season.  Honestly though, I think we have all forgotten the meaning of Christmas.  Celebrating a very special birth, and helping those who are in need.  I'm not saying all the 'HO!HO!HO!' is a 'NO!NO!NO!'.  I just think we need to take time out to reflect and lend a  hand to others.  This year BY FAR has not been easy on our family, but there are others in much worse shape.  Just keeping that in mind puts things into perspective for me personally.

On a different note, I have been trying to get back in shape.  I've been jogging ( =-0 ) and going to Zumba recently.  I can already tell a difference.  Also, I've changed my diet.  Years ago, I was a vegetarian but did eat fish or seafood a couple of times a week ('pescetarian').  I felt better and maintained a more appropriate weight during that time.  So, for health reasons, I have decided to go back to that style of eating.  This has been more of a challenge than the exercise, but I know that it will pay off.  Just in 2 weeks, my energy level has gone up dramatically. THAT is already a big pay-off!!  Now, on to avoiding the Christmas cookies.... (=

FOREVER AND EVER AMEN

"...call those things that be not as though they were." - Romans 4:17.

Chaos and ever insuing madness is how I would describe our life.  I wouldn't have it any other way, though.  Seriously, every time I turn around, something is happening.  Sometimes it's fun, and sometimes it's NOT.  Like when I cracked my head open using a post driver to put up a fence last week.  Not fun, but it was interesting...and messy.
This week we have multiple doctors appointments in Little Rock.  They are a day apart, so there is no sense in driving all the way home.  Kiddos 2 and 3 are excited.  Me and pop, not so much.  It will involve a lot of waiting and hoping.  I know God will be with us.  I just have to maintain that attitude throughout our stay.
Now, if I could just remember where I packed my mind...

Weeeellllll, doggies!!

Neglected much? Yea. That would be my blog as of the last, oh, YEAR. 

Well, a LOT has happened...
Hubby was hospitalized for 6 weeks.  And is now jobless . . . and still very sick. We are regulars at the V.A. Medical Center.  Every WEEK.
Boy #2 has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. He's being treated at Children's.
I spend about as much time in Little Rock as I do at home...
AND, I am working full (HA!!) time at our local hospital.  Well, spending every day at work that we are not at doctor appointments, and still not getting 40 hours.

HOWEVER . . .
there is a good side to the turmoil.
My marriage has never been stronger, nor has my faith.  I am human, and I do get weak at times, but for the most part it doesn't show.  My primary concerns are: A. Their health and well-being.  B. My other children's health and well-being.  C. Paying the bills.  D.  A meal and a nap occasionally for me. :)

So, would you like a little cheese with that whine?