January update

When I was looking for a dog, I came across a quote to the effect of "Whoever said money can't buy happiness never bought a puppy."

In the last few weeks, I have had that thought cross my mind on many occasions--when the kids are laughing or when I am holding sleepy, soft, cuddly little Molly. Our world is kind of revolving around her right now--Steven took 100 pictures or so of her the other day. Of course, only one or two was in focus. She doesn't slow down very often.

In all fairness, more often than the happiness quote, I've wondered if I have gone crazy to bring home a puppy. She is as much trouble as she is fun! Time will tell if I'm crazy or used my money wisely in this endeavor.

So many things happening these days--this post could get long and boring. Steven had his birthday--lots of celebrating. Cancer survivors can really appreciate birthdays, and we are no exception. He continues to inspire me. The other night as he was getting ready for bed he said, "Tomorrow is going to be so much fun!" I couldn't remember any special plans and so I asked him what was going on. He said, "I don't know, but that is what makes it so fun!" He is pretty much always happy and cheerful.

Again this year, he won the school Geography Bee. His friends lifted him up and wanted to carry him out of the gym like a true victor. He is so lucky to have such a supportive group of friends.

I never did post this, but a few months ago he got hearing aids. The chemo damaged his hearing and it was getting to the point where I could tell that the loss was affecting his speech and comprehension. It took some time to go to all the necessary appointments and for him to get accustomed to the hearing aides. But now that he's had them for a while, he really likes them. They haven't fixed everything, but they have a helped a lot.

Also in health news, we have started the process to have a new prosthetic built for him. He should have that sometime in the next month. The prosthetist that made his two other legs has left Shriners, so we have a new set of eyes looking a Steven's leg and hopefully it will have some improvements.

I think about Daniel all the time. Life has moved forward in a way that sometimes make me wonder if it was all a dream. That sounds funny, I guess, but I just don't understand how things can keep moving forward after something that sad has happened. I mean, how do I get out of bed? I don't get it. The sadness is still there and sometimes it creeps up and chokes me just as intensley as ever. But mostly I am doing what I used to do and often even happily. I believe Christ's promise to all who mourn, that we will be comforted.

We got plastered with snow last week--it was between two and three feet and beautiful. The kids and dog are huge fans. The boys discovered a sledding hill not far from our house and like to go whenever their snow clothes are dry and the sun is up. Come to think of it, the sun isn't a requirement--they think night sledding is pretty amazing too.

Lots of people I love born this month, including my sister, Alisa. She got to celebrate her birthday last week--one we didn't know if she would see. I love that she is beating cancer! And not just physically, she is beating it mentally and that is what amazes me. (My definition of beating cancer mentally is by getting up every morning and going on with life. She does even more than that, though--she does it happily and serves others every day. She spent this birthday getting radiation and then taking treats around to all her nurses so they could celebrate her survival with them. What!?)

So there is a small January update. Starting out the year on a good note--let's keep it that way!

new

I've been thinking about the old year and the new one...lots of thoughts. The Mayans thought the world would end in 2012. At one point, I thought mine would too. And then the world just kept turning around and I am still going with it.

When 2012 started, I had a feeling in my bones it would be eventful. I get everyone's Christmas letters and most years I think "I'm off the hook--nothing much has changed around here." Last year I envisioned how I would send out a Christmas card announcing a new house and a new baby a trip to Hawaii and Steven cancer free and walking. Some of my dreams came true. But when December came, I found I couldn't write anything Christmas cardy at all--to tell bad news hardly seemed festive. My family pictures all seem incomplete and so I passed this year.

Not all surprises were bad. To be honest, at one point I didn't think my sister, Alisa, would still be around. I'm so glad that I was wrong. She shows me everyday how to hope.

As I start a new year, I am trying so hard not to have too many expectations but at the same time be full of hope.

I did find a dog....I've searched hundreds of ads and hers was the first that really grabbed me. She isn't exactly what I was looking for, but it still feels right. Of course, she hasn't been here long, I hope my intution was right. For now we call her Molly, but don't get anything engraved yet...I have a tendency to change names. Her parents are a mini labradoodle and an Aussiedoodle, but she seems to be mostly Australian shepherd. I was hoping for a nonshedding dog, but I'm pretty sure she sheds. We are kind of in love with her already, though, so we may have to overlook that part.

My picture doesn't really do her justice, but isn't she cute? Doesn't that look just inspire hope for a great year?