I can finally say that, because our decorations are up. However, this is the first time in years that there are no outside lights or ribbons and bows. We look like complete misfits in our neighborhood. It looks like Clark Griswold was the exterior designer right across the street. . . people coming to look at Christmas lights would see their house and suck all of the oxygen out of the vehicle with the combined gasps at all of their lovelys. But then they'd turn their heads and see our house, I mean, assuming at least the porch light was on. I'm pretty sure they'd think we were Jewish or something. It just hasn't been do-able this year. In fact, our Veteran's Day tradition was broken and the decorations didn't go up until almost a week later. We decided to load up and go to Callaway Gardens for the Fantasy in Lights show on this monumental day and we actually broke tradition. The crazy thing was that it didn't even bother me. I SO wish I was a more sentimental person. Really, I do . . . but its just not in me. Anyway, the trees are up inside, along with the fireplace decorations, so we're ready for Santa to come and do his thing. He'd better be careful, though. Chances are that Santa may arrive with a singed booty 'cause we're rockin' this new fireplace. I mean, we may still be burnin' fires in June . . . I just don't know. I'm finding a new love for a speck of laziness when the flames are blazin' in there. It's so cozy just to wrap up in a blanket on the couch with a good movie and do, well . . . nothing. Needless to say, our cold nights are a little more enjoyable now. Oh, wait . . . I think the little bit of sentimentality in me is starting to picture a Norman Rockwell painting. Yeah, it is . . . definitely. Just picture it.
We got happy news back from Daisee's dermatologist in Birmingham. Her alopecia isn't caused by thyroid disease. All of her bloodwork was as pretty as a picture, so that's good to know. I wasn't really surprised by this, though. It's still gonna be and wait-and-see type of disorder. The medicines she's been on haven't done squat. In fact, one spot on the side of her head is getting worse. It's like she's got a bad receeding hairline. I mean, not bad if you're a 40-year-old man, but the kid is only two . . . and she's a girl. I still stand by what I said before. This is just a little bump, and we're thankful that even if it does get worse its not as bad as what it could be. We'll do what we've got to do to keep her feeling good about herself as she gets older.
We attended Ryan's CAP awards ceremony this past Tuesday. He received his first promotion a little over a month ago, and according to the CAP captain, he's right where he should be as far as his forward motion in the program goes. I definitely think this is something he's gonna stick with, and I couldn't be happier about that. The opportunities he'll have are almost endless, and there's such good people that work with all of the cadets there. I'm excited to see where he lands with this.
The latter part of this month is the real kicker around here. That's when things kinda start getting tough. The twins' birthday will be the 22nd, and they would've been four years old this year. Gosh, time really does fly, right? Craig always takes their birthday off of work and we just kinda do whatever feels right to do. December 10th was the day we ended up in Birmingham for almost the next month. I guess that's when we really start taking that stroll down memory lane. We try and remember everything we were doing on certain days and we do a lot of talking. I wish more than anything I had really kept up a detailed journal during that time, but I didn't and I have to really rely on what memories are swirling around in my head. I still pray quite often that I won't lose those. Time has a way of taking things like that away, but I know that God will answer that prayer for me and let me be able to remember all of those sweet times both before, and after, they were born.
There's lots of us out there whose Christmases are a little scarred because of loss, but aren't we glad that its scars that they've become? They're not wounds anymore! I hope I can always look back on ALL of my scars and remember the things I learned while I was nursing the wounds. I can really, really say that I praise God for all of those times, and ESPECIALLY for the scars that aren't left in MY hands, but in the hands of my heavenly father. Those are the scars that really tell the story of love and sacrifice . . . all for me. What a truly lovely thought to end on.
I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families and loved ones this season. May you find lots and lots of joy with all of those you surround yourself with.
Love,
