Christmas Time!

I was thrilled to be able to spend Christmas in the town I now call home. Many people still ask me if I'm heading home for the holidays, but in reality I am already home everyday. When I head back to Illinois, it's now a time when I'm heading back to visit instead of heading home. I knew this day would come someday, but I never imagined that it would happen so soon in my life. But, God has blessed me with a blessing of a future made out of a past of ashes. 

With Christmas of course comes presents and time with family and friends. All of that was not missed even though I wasn't around anyone who is blood family. Although I was around the people that I call family now also and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Even though it would have been nice to have my family around too. 

Amy didn't lack in the presents department this year as I don't think she ever will. I must say her favorite present wasn't the one her mommy got her, but the one that her Grandma Steffen got her. A soft little puppy who I must admit is pretty adorable. She looks for that puppy where ever she goes and boy is it just absolutely adorable! Among other things she got a beautiful blanket from her Great Grandma Crumbo (who made it herself).

I was thankful to get some gifts this year to help Carrie and I along with our apartment stuff. We are so excited to be moving out and have finally become ready to move, although neither of us have absolutely anything packed and we're supposed to move Tuesday. God works in different ways and I feel him working on something new in my life even though I have no clue what it is yet, but my trust is in him.

As I started my new job, I quickly realized how tiring a forty hour work week can be. Especially one you're not used to working a 2-10 shift doing some hard physical labor. But, I wouldn't give my job up for anything in the world. God has blessed me with a passion to care for others who are unable to do so for themselves and for that I couldn't be any more grateful. As a lot of people sometimes say about my profession it takes a special kind of person to do the job right and I have to agree with that. If your heart isn't in a job you aren't going to give it your all. 

We were all standing around the kitchen today talking and Derek tells Amy, "You're my favorite niece." Of course it's his only niece, but it just melted my heart to know that he thinks of her like that. It's definitely nice to hear that I'm his favorite little sister. It's definitely nice to have those older "brothers" who I can look up to and know that they're going to be there to give me good advice and to remind me that people really do care. I found this awesome quote that I put in Laurie's coffee mug: The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect, and joy in each others life. ~Richard Back

“When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 
― Erma Bombeck, When God Created Mothers