Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Here's to 2012:  May you laugh more than you hurt, love more than you hate, be happy more than you're sad, and be healthy WAY more than you're sick.

God Bless You, and I am so thankful for each and every one of you!

Looking Forward

Many years I look back over the year and ponder this or that, wonder what I would have done differently, or bemoan what I did not do.

I decided I've done enough looking back, and this year is all about looking forward.

I'm not making resolutions either.  I have 2 very important goals that I WILL achieve:  I am going on vacation to North Carolina in April to meet my sistah, separated from birth, Cindy.  We will spend a glorious week on the Outer Banks, and then back to her house, then up the east coast to meet another AWESOME MG sister, Rachel.  It will be the most wonderful trip.

My other goal is to get my book published.  I have to finish writing it (I have about 175 pages right now, but it's kind of all over the place), then have it proofed, edit it, and publish it.  It WILL get done.

Other than that, I'm going to enjoy my family.  I'm going to teach my son.  I'm going to live every good day to the fullest, and try to learn something from the not so good ones.

I'm going to cherish the people in my life, and help as many people as possible.  I will inspire and be inspired.  I will teach and be taught.  I will love and be loved.

So here is to 2012:  may it bring us all a little closer to each other, a lot closer to the God of Creation, and more benevolent than ever before.

Thank you for sharing my journey with me in 2011;  one thing I can promise about 2012 and me:  It won't be boring! God Bless!

Goodbye 2010

What a year it has been. As awful as my health has been this past year, I’m not going there. As I reflect over the course of the whole year, there have been some really amazing things that have happened.

Jacob finished potty training. That’s a HUGE whoo-hoo right there. No more poopy diapers. That’s almost enough for the whole year right there! And because he did, we got a really sweet puppy dog, Blackie.

We had another new addition to our family: Baby Haylee

Jacob continues to grow and amaze me every day. He is the most wondrous combination of noise, boisterous energy, non-stop curiosity, crazy brilliance, all-boy-rough-and-tumble, and tender compassion. The child has such a beautiful heart.

I have reconnected with a woman who is now like a sister to me. We were neighbors when I was born, and she used to babysit me. She recently told me she remembers the very day I was born. Even though I had not seen her in 30 years, we are as close as sisters today. She is wise and intelligent, caring, encouraging and supportive. I love you Linda!

I’ve made friends through a computer. This blog. Friends that pray for me. Friends that encourage me. It’s like a miracle to me. I need people. I can’t get out much. So God has brought them to me. Thank you, God.

I’ve deepened relationships I already had. I’ve done amazing Bible studies with a fabulous friend. Love you Joanna.

I feel closer to my husband than ever. Chronic illness is beyond difficult in a marriage. In fact, 75% of all marriages where one partner is chronically ill end in divorce. That’s 3 out of 4. WOW. I am so blessed to have the man I do. God prepared him since he was a child to have every gift, talent and strength he needed to be my provider, caretaker, partner and friend. I love you more than ever honey.

Looking to 2011, I am anticipating new treatment for the Myasthenia, and better health because of it. My prayer is for medical remission. I am eagerly awaiting a cough assist machine to internally strengthen my lungs.

I am looking forward to homeschooling Jacob and being astounded every day at his character, compassion, and zeal for life.

This year has brought heartache and rejoicing. I have seen the mountaintops, and lived in the valleys. I have felt loved and I have felt lonely. I have been faithful… and faithless. And I am thankful to the One to cannot be unfaithful. To my God. My Redeemer. He truly is my Strength. Without Him, I would not have hope. And without hope, I would not have life.

Here’s to 2011: May God bless you and your families. May you see health and feel love as you have never experienced before. May we all be kinder to our neighbor, and take care of those in need.

I am a better person for experiencing the support this blog has introduced to me, and will be forever grateful for it.
Happy New Year!