Christmas and New Year's

We hope everyone had a good Christmas.  We started out our Christmas Eve by going to my parents' house.  My entire family was together, despite the possibility that my youngest brother would not be able to make it. We had dinner and opened presents.  My mom is big into emergency preparedness so we got many additions to our 72-hour kits.  Good thing she thinks of this stuff, because we don't!  We also got a bunch of little things here and there like money, gift cards, smelly-good lotion, books, etc. 
We then headed over to Jon's parents' house where we participated in his family's gift exchange.  Jon received some Mountain Dew pajama pants along with some Diet Mountain Dew.  I got a cute fleece blanket from the unborn child of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  We then went home and opened presents from each other.  My main gift was a pair of new shoes that I had been wanting and Jon received an Ipod from me. We had a good time. (I'm waiting for other pictures so I can post them also).

 

Thank goodness 2009 is gone and done with.  There are so many things that went totally wrong last year.  The only good thing is that I graduated from school and passed my nursing exam.  Again and again I am reminded that the Lord is the one in charge.  His plans often differ than mine and I sometimes have a hard time accepting that. I am fiercely hoping and praying that this year is better to us than last year- physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually,... in any way possible. I am at my wit's end and can't handle anymore failures, let downs, or surprises.  But as of right now, my medical bills are paid off and we are both in good health.  I don't think I could ask for more than that.