Happy New Year!

Well - how is every one's New Year going?

I believe ours seems to be going rather well so far. David's birthday is on Saturday and I think we might go to London for the day, not real sure yet.

We have also decided that it is time to go home. It will be our first visit since moving here and we booked our tickets last night. So we will be state-bound in the spring.

I cannot believe it has been over a year since I've seen my family. I got to see my Mother in July but that was almost a year of not seeing her. We arrived in England in September of 2008. Mom came to see me July 2009 - a couple more months and I would have gone a WHOLE year with out seeing my mother - that just seems so weird!

I think I've been handling it all okay though. I am enjoying England a lot and I've not complained or whined to go home since arriving here. There were a few times when certain things would be going on that made me really wish I were home or at least near enough to get home, but I suppose God has me right here for a purpose.

I think the hardest time was when my niece Hannah (just about 2 months old now) had to go in for a liver biopsy. I really, really wanted to be home and with my sister Holly that day. I cannot wait to meet Hannah and hold her, but that day I just really felt like I was needed at home. It was a very hard day being here; 6 hours ahead in time and waiting and waiting and waiting.

Those are the times when it is hard, when something like that is going on. I'd have given anything to be with my sister when Hannah was born, but according to her the Dr's only allowed 2 people in the room - which were Nick (her husband) and my Mom. Even though I would have loved to have been in there - I would not have taken any one's spot. Mom has seen 3 of her grandchildren born and I know that is very special to her, something she will treasure all her life.

So anyway - we are in the process of planning our trip home. The hardest part is trying to figure out where we are going to be and when and how to best divide our limited time up amongst our large family. That's the most stressful part - but we always get through it and I am sure we will manage again this time.

As for Lady - she's doing great - just as spoiled as ever! Rotten dog :-) She has an abundance of babysitters, so I know she will be in wonderful hands while we visit the states. Everyone spoils her. I think she thinks she's human. She would actually hold a conversation with you if she could - instead she just barks at you when she wants to go for a walk, go outside, get fed, get attention, and anything else! And she is worse than a kid - she don't give up! :-) We are so blessed by her - we couldn't have gotten a better dog.

The kids are doing good as well, both continue to enjoy school and several after school activities; Chess club, choir, and football. They keep us busy and then when we try to keep them busy they get upset haha. Funny how that works. Both are looking forward to visiting the states. I wonder if anyone stateside will notice their "slight" accent. It's not always noticeable...but once in awhile we catch it with something they say.

David is busy - he says he doesn't stop working from the time he gets there til the time he leaves. Then he stays busy here too and seems to never have the time to just sit down - I don't know what I am going to do with that man. He wants to just relax and here he is wanting to go somewhere for his birthday - I hope going somewhere is relaxing to him. I think he needs it, sometimes I think he is too stressed...but that might just be me.

He also started another class on Monday - he is not liking it at all. He says it is the driest stuff he has ever read. He doesn't have many more classes to go but I know he is not enjoying these last few, so I pray they go quickly. Then he can say those treasured words he longs to say, "I'm DONE!!!" :-)

I have also started taking some classes. Mine begin on the 25th. I'm looking forward to it. The first one is online - David is not sure I will like online classes - but I think I will love them! The second one is like just 3 Saturdays - not real sure what it will accomplish but at least its quick, right? :-)

I also now have a group of ladies coming over once a month to scrapbook with me. I am really enjoying being able to host that. It's so much easier to have them come here, than to try to haul my stuff somewhere! There's just too much.

Anyway, I hope the New Year is finding you all well and I will talk to you again soon.