Hooray

Merry Christmas! It is now the day after Christmas and I, for one, am glad that the holidays are rounding up. There have been many good times, but I am tired in general. Jared, William, Hayden, and I had a great time at the Titans game last weekend. Let's just say that the little guys like the idea of football more than actual football. We made it through the first quarter with candy canes, the second quarter plus halftime with hot dogs and fries, the third quarter with snickers, and the fourth quarter with jelly beans and hot chocolate. All in all, it was a good time and Jared and I were thankful that overtime was short and sweet.




We went to the Christmas day game last night and it was very disappointing to say the least. We left at the end of the third quarter when it was freezing cold and the Chargers had scored yet another touchdown. Before the game we had a lovely Christmas lunch with friends and worked on a puzzle in front of the fireplace. Love fires in the fireplace.



Lowdown on the loot:
1. A le creuset dutch oven! woohoo. I am so excited and have been frantically looking up recipes to try. I think Jared is worried that we are veering very far away from the faithful tacos and spaghetti that we both very much enjoy.
2. A le creuset tea pot. Praise the Lord. It is bright orange and awesome.
3. A black mountain hardware fleece that makes me look like a snowbunny and feel as warm as a bear.
4. A gift card to Michael's so I can buy art supplies. Ahhhh...how well you all know me.
5. A little lamb soap to remind me of wonderful trips and fun friends. Also, I like to be clean.
6. A new afghan and scarf. In purples and blues. Mmmmm.
7. Homemade chex mix from a patient's family. I love working with this husband and wife. They are so real and honest and hardworking. They appreciate the staff of Bradford, including me, and it's always nice to be thanked. I love to know that what I'm doing makes a difference. God, please let it make a difference. Please.

I realized that it has been almost five years since I graduated from college and that means nine since I graduated from college. Hello! I have a 10 year high school reunion next year! Heaven help me. I just read an article about a man who is dying and on hospice. He worked solid for 40 years, has a wife of 67 years, a couple of children, a couple of grandchildren, and a couple of great grandchildren. He stated that his life has not been extraordinary, but that it has been good and effective and filled with love. That's what I want my life to look like when I come to the end of it all. Good and effective and filled with love.

I'm feeling very full right now. Dad and Jared are passed out on the couch next to me. Mom is at the kitchen table working on Christmas cards. I'm sitting by the fire writing my thoughts. I'm thankful today for freedom. For a day off of work. For a good job that I enjoy a lot of the time. For good friends and sweet nephews. For a safe home to rest in and enjoy with family. For the opportunity to go to church tomorrow. For the ears that are listening to the nutcracker music, for the warmth of the fire on my skin, for the ability to see my boyfriend's smile. For this and so many other things, I am grateful.