Christmas 2007

Happy New Year!! I can't believe we are already eleven days into this new year ..... hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! We did and of course, the best gift we unwrapped was Ryan's clear MRI. The Christmas break went by so quickly and it didn't seem like the kids were out of school for very long - I really wasn't quite ready for them to go back. I think they enjoyed their time off.

We were able to go the Christmas Eve service with my parents and Rob's parents - what a blessing to all be together as last year Ryan wasn't able to go. It was an emotional time for all of us I think as we remembered how far our Mighty God has brought this family - just grateful to be there all together. Christmas morning was lots of fun - Rob made a scavenger hunt for the kids that led them to the bonus room to find their kittens - it was a hoot!! By the last clue, Ryan had figured it out - but didn't seem like he really believed that Santa had left him a kitten. He slowly opened the door to the bonus room and then promptly slammed it shut screaming "it is kittens -he did bring us kittens!!" - we asked him if he was gonna open the door and go and see them as he had run down the steps .... they were both so excited - they both love them, but Addie adores hers!! Ryan is a little cautious with them - Addie is my more aggressive - ummm - or should I say my more assertive child :) - she takes the bull by the horn with no fear - she quickly earned herself a huge claw mark right down her cheek to prove it! Anyway - they seem to be adjusting well and the kids are great with them. Oh yeah - I guess I should tell you their names - Ryan's is Lucky and Addie's is Lilly - she says "wiwwy" :). Those L's are just a bit hard for her. We enjoyed the morning just being lazy and then met our parents at the Opryland Hotel for dinner - that was lots of fun and nobody had to cook - of course, we could have bought an entire weeks worth of groceries but it was still fun to all be together and no dirty dishes!! As you can see from one of the pictures Ryan's favorite part of the meal were the chocolate fountains - he was more than willing to help us all dip our fruit, etc.!

Over New Years the kids and I went to Gatlinburg with my parents and Rob's parents - it was for a celebration of Ryan being done with chemo - Rob was on call and couldn't come with us which made us all sad ( not sure he was sad since he had the whole house to himself :) - actually, he stayed really busy and was out on lots of calls!). The kids had a great time - we road go carts - I wish you could have seen Addie and my Dad - she is a wild and crazy girl and loved riding them!! , played putt-putt, and did a good bit of swimming in the indoor pool. It snowed - just a dusting, but it was pretty. One of the best parts of the trip was that the kids slept in late!!

Now we are getting ready for our Make-A-Wish trip - we WILL be leaving this Sunday 1/13 - the limo will be picking us up at 7:30AM, then I think our flight is around 10:30AM. Ryan and Addie will find out tomorrow!! I can't wait to see how excited they will be! Please pray for a safe trip and for everyone to stay healthy!! Ryan sorta stressed me out this week - several mornings he got up and said he tummy hurt - one morning he threw up - early morning nausea, etc. are all signs of brain tumors - so I'd be lying if I said it didn't throw me for a loop. He's had lots of drainage - so it most likely was that, but still - just makes you worry. He seems fine now - I think it was just a shock to his body having to get out of bed so early - it is hard when you have to be at school by 7:30AM - so crazy!! I find myself just trying to poke food down them so that they have something to eat.

Well - gotta get back to packing - just thought I would update since it had been so long. I have more pictures I'll post later and I'm sure I'll have plenty more after our trip - (Renee, maybe you could teach me how to do a slide show or something so I don't have to do so many posts just to put pictures on)

Hope this finds you all well!!