Happy New Year!

I can hardly believe it is already 2009! It seems like it was not that long ago that we were discussing the Y2K issue and wondering how we were going to switch from calling it the '90s to the... '00s? 2000's? (did we ever really decide on this decade's nickname?) Now this decade is nearing its end already. Time flies! After having MySpace for several years I finally caved and opened a Facebook acct- wow have I run into some folks on FB that I had never expected. It really has been a nice treat seeing what everyone has been up to in the many years since we've all been together. It has been extra special to link up with many of the old gang from our college days working at Disney World--fun fun!

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful and magical holiday- Christmas and/or Hanukkah. We had a great time with all of my family here plus Pat's parents. It was a bit crazy with 14 people opening gifts on Christmas morning but my sister did a great job helping me keep it all organized and running smoothly! (Thanks!! :) nice having a teacher in the family!) Even the 9 bags of wrapping paper mess was carted away quickly by the teen boys! We also had lots of yummy goodies, snacks and delicious food. There is something so comforting about building a roaring fire in the fireplace and then sitting around snacking on chocolate chip cookies with the whole big family chatting and listening to Christmas carols. If only the weather had been a little colder than 75F on Christmas Eve...we actually had to crank up the air conditioning so we could have a fire! Gotta love Texas! :)

So now that it is 2009, I really hope we can have a healthier New Year! Both Pat and I will get our PET scans later this month and then we can see what/if any kind of treatment is in the works. I am really praying that we get a break here soon. I am feeling pretty good actually and Pat is doing okay too- I just know how the weekly chemo treatments are wearing on him. Having gone through it all too, I am glad that I am able to understand what he is experiencing and when to let him veg out and rest and when to kick him in the behind and motivate him!

The kids are all doing well. Kelsey is knee deep in applying to college. She has her end of everything completed and is now just waiting on her high school to send off transcripts. I am hoping we hear back from a few of her choices soon so that she can decide where she wants to go and we can make some plans for her in the Fall. Derek gets his driver's license this month so we will have 2 teenagers sharing the car until Derek gets his car road worthy. He is also getting his braces off soon and will be taking his SATs next month so he is busy busy! Kevin had his 13th birthday over Winter Break. We got him 13th row center court tickets for him and Pat to go see the Spurs play the 76ers last Saturday. We won at the buzzer and they had a BLAST! We were even able to see them on television several times! Kevin also got a basketball hoop and ball that we put at the end of our driveway. He is really enjoying it. Meri had a nice Christmas and is excited to have her own little portable DVD player. All the kids (except Wil of course) got new iPods which they love. Meri luckily got a little speaker set with hers--she loves to sing but sings exceptionally loud while wearing headphones! Wil continues to learn and grow every day. He is running and climbing on everything! He is also starting to talk and communicate more and more. We taught him a few Baby Signs and he is using them all the time now which is very exciting. It is helpful to know when he wants a drink or snack or when he needs a clean diaper. Wil has a funny little personality and is still an easy going sweet little guy!

As for me, I am looking into doing a little volunteer work or perhaps getting a part time job or going back to school on the weekends. I love being home but can really use a break out of the house now and then! It has been 2 years since Pat was first diagnosed with cancer- throw in a pregnancy, cross country move, buying a new house and my own cancer diagnosis and treatment...and some days I am surprised that I have not had a nervous breakdown! :) haha.
Like I said, we could really use a break! :) Keep us in your prayers!
I added a feature to my page where you can click to become a follower of my blog. I think it will notify you when I post a new entry. Look for it on the right side of the page. I am hoping to post a little more often now that the kids are back in school and we are getting more on a routine.

Have a great week!

Today's Glass Half-Full: "You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make." - Gorden B. Hinkley