Been too long

I just realized that it's been a month since I posted anything here. Needless to say we've been very busy. On Dec 16 Kaitlyn and Grace had their school Christmas concert. Kaitlyn played flute with the band and Grace's class played the hand bells. That night we left for Detroit to fly back home to WA the next morning.

We spent 18 days in Bremerton visiting family and friends. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve where most of my cousins came into town to celebrate. It was wonderful seeing them after so many years. All the great grandkids had a blast playing together and getting to know each other again. I find it such joy that these cousins who see each other not very often can pick up right where they left off and get right back into the swing of playing and friendship.

Matt was able to take in some fishing with his good buddy Jeff. They caught one 14 pound salmon that Matt and I cooked ( or should I say Matt cooked ) for Grandma and Grandpa.

The girls got LOTS of play time with cousins, cousins, cousins and of course good friends.

It also was a time of medical issues. My grandfather had been diagnosed with lung cancer and has been receiving chemo treatments. It has really taken a toll on him and I am VERY thankful to have been able to go home to see him and spend some time with both him and my grandma. Matt's mom, Marcia, ended up needing to go in for a biopsy. They found a lump on her breast. They were able to remove the majority of the lump but she had some complications from the surgery and had to back for another one. I am SO happy to say that the results came back non-cancerous and she is recovering well. I am also very thankful Matt was there for her during this time. The last day we were in town we found out my dad's wife Debbie's cancer had moved to her stomach. She is a tough lady who won't go down without a fight. Please pray for her during this time as she goes through more chemo. I believe God has great plans for her and her job isn't done here. Needless to say in the joy of going home and seeing all our loved one we had some hard things that came our way also.

Again I say, I feel SO blessed to have had the opportunity to go home and see everyone and be there for them. It is a time I will treasure greatly and thank God that we were able to be apart of this wonderful time of year.