Wrapping up 2011

Life never slows down, NEVER.  Telling myself this fact helps me not get too stressed when life is crazy.  If I stop waiting for it to slow down and just accept the fact that life is busy and have the attitude of "do what I can and keep moving" life won't overwhelm me so much.  Does anyone else feel this way?

It's almost Christmas and I have let a whole semester go by without posting anything.  Again.  Oh well, keep moving.

Brad is still working on his recovery from our accident a year ago.  He had shoulder surgery 2 months ago and they repaired a tear in his rotator cuff and cleaned up some arthritis.  For a while insurance denied physical therapy for Brad on his knee, but now we have all of that sorted out and he is doing PT for his knee and shoulder.  We are hoping that his knee just needs to be strengthened and no more surgery is needed.  He's not 100% and I think we know he won't ever be at 100%, but there is still room for improvement.

My foot and ankle are doing well.  If I walk a lot or stand on my feet I start having minor aches and pains, but for the most part I have full function of them.  Besides being busy with normal life, I am really enjoying going to Community Bible Study.  This semester we have been studying Hebrews and have really enjoyed it.  There is so much in the book and it's been a lot of rich, solid theology.  It's been great to look at it verse by verse and to be reminded of how completely sufficient Christ is to be my Savior...and other's Savior.  He is the only One capable.  If we trust in this world, it will fail us.  If we trust in ourselves, we will fail.  If we trust in other people, they will fail us.  If we trust in our things, they will fail us.  It has given me an urgency to pray for my family and friends who do not know Him...that they may see the TRUTH of who He is and put their lives completely in His hands.

During this one-year anniversary of our accident and starting the recovery journey, we look back with Thankfulness to be here, alive.  Also, we are reminded of all of the support and encouragement we received a year ago from our families, friends, church family and co-workers.  We were so overwhelmed by people's responses and generosity of time and resources.  It helped us experience the love of God for us more fully through the hands and feet of people.  We are hoping to bring this type of encouragement and God's love to a family we know during this Christmas season that has recently been through a work related accident themselves.  And now we know even more how to bless them because of all of those who blessed us so much during our time of need.  THANK YOU to everyone who helped us throughout this last year in all sorts of ways...praying for us (many daily!), watching kids,  bringing food, organizing helpers, doing yard work, cleaning our home, giving gift cards, giving money, mailing care packages, bringing belongings to us from home, calling, visiting us, sending cards, etc., etc.!!!!

As far as the kids go, Will has enjoyed his first year of school so far.  He usually rides his bike to school and thinks he is pretty hot stuff being one of the only kindergartners doing this.  He played t-ball this fall and loved it.  Now he's about to start Upward Basketball.  Will turned 6 in November and had a Star Wars Lego party.  When he's not playing sports, playing legos or riding his bike, he's usually pestering Carissa.

First Day of School

 T-ball

 Birthday Party!

Carissa is our snuggle buddy and twinkle toes.  She likes to cuddle and hug and kiss us and we LOVE IT!  She is a sweetheart most of the time with some diva moments.  She enjoys watching Barbie movies, singing like Ariel at the top of her lungs and dancing around.  It took her a couple of months to warm up to school this year, but I think she finally likes going.  She can be very shy and quiet around others, but I see that starting to change too.  One of her favorite things is to have her friend Megan or Ryan come over to play.

First Day of School

Circus Parade at School

Halloween

 Carissa and her friend Ryan

 The kiddos in San Antonio

And now it's Christmas time!  I can't believe how the time is flying by. We hope you have a truly special Christmas season with your family, celebrating baby Jesus who came so that we can have life.  It was His plan from the beginning of time...and it's a trustworthy plan!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!