Always Playing Catch Up

I have been the worst blogger lately and though I don't want to throw out a hundred excuses, time has just gotten away from me. It still being early in the new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past several months. I finally found a job in September at Old Navy. Of course timing has a funny way of working out because almost immediately after training, we were in the midst of the busy time for retailers. I ended up working a lot over the holiday season and for the first time ever, I did not have the excitement, nor the reverance, that I usually experience during the Christmas season. It was very disappointing to me to feel this way but extremely hard to remember the true meaning of the season when constantly surrounded in the commercial aspects of it. To make matters worse, my daughter woke up on Christmas Eve really sick with what we thought was a stomache bug. I was praying it was the 24 hour type so that she could enjoy Christmas. But it was not to be. She was still really sick on Christmas morning and complaining of extreme abdominal pain. I still had a hope that it might be dehydration causing the pain as we headed for the emergency room. Again, it just wasn't to be. My worst fears were confirmed by two doctors and then two radiologists-- it was her appendix, and it most likely had already ruptured. She was immediately started on IV antibiotics and put on the waiting list for the operating room. So we waited for what seemed like a long time, though I was told by all of the nurses that she got in quickly, and they wheeled my precious little girl away for surgery. I headed out to the waiting room feeling so alone and scared for her but there was a church group present who had brought in dinner for those of us waiting for sick family and friends. It was quite touching that they would spend their Christmas tending to those of us in need. A woman sat with me offering words of comfort and prayers for Jocelyn. The surgery went well and she was admitted into the hospital for three days. The appendix was ruptured so three days of IV antibiotics was required to prevent further infection. Jocelyn stayed in good spirits throughout the ordeal and ven mentioned several times how nice all of the nurses and doctors were. And they truly were. They were like angels sent to us on that day. It couldn't be easy to be the ones that have to work on Christmas Day and be away from their families but they did everything in their power to make Jocelyn as comfortable as possible. And Santa even visited the hospital and dropped several presents off for her there. So she at least got to open up some presents the day after Christmas since she had no desire to open any of her presents at home. When we finally got to take Jocelyn home, it felt like Christmas had been weeks ago and it just kind of got lost in the chaos of the moment.

So here we are in a brand new year and I look back on the past year with mixed emotions. It was a tough year--we moved across the country without my husband and have been living apart ever since. It has been an adjustment learning to live as a "single" mom, only seeing my husband for a couple of days each month. We had two kids admitted to the hospital in a matter of two months. In between the hospitalizations, Trevor got Pneumonia but we were able to get him better quickly. We have had some good times though, too. My mom came to visit and that was so much fun. It is beautiful here on the east coast, so green and lush. A huge difference from Las Vegas. The beach is not too far away and life here is so much more calm and relaxed. The people are nice and friendly and I'm close to family that has been amazing. I am so grateful to them for all that they have done to help me and my kids through this past year. I look forward into 2010 and have the greates hopes for a better year, one filled with more peace and thanksgivin for all of my blessings. ANd as I embark on the new journeys ahead, i strive to keep My Heavenly Father close and to remember that wherever I am or whatever I am going through, Christ is always right beside me. Happy New Year everyone!!

PS. I have lots of pictures to post and will do that soon!!