Merry Christmas!

Wow! What a white Christmas it was!! I hope, if you're reading this, that you're safe, sound, and warm, and if you're like the rest of us, you're enjoying some extra time with family and/or friends. On Wednesday, the 23rd, I finished my last day of resident clinic and buzzed out a little early. We knew that if we didn't get out of Omaha Wednesday evening, we'd likely be snowed in for a few days. We packed the car hurriedly and set out to the west. It took an extra hour, but we made it safely to Arcadia. Logan was a trooper once again, and tolerated the trip very well. By the time we got to Grammie and Papa's, he was ready to kick around on the floor and tell them all about the trip.

We were lucky the weather held out long enough to enjoy a beautiful Christmas Eve service at the church with Dale's family (and the rest of the congregation, of course!). I know many people's plans were derailed, permitting them from worshipping together on that most holy night. We enjoyed celebrating Christmas day with the Sells, complete with B-I-L Alex, who flew in from Salt Lake. We had a beautiful day, blessed with great food, laughter, and love. We exchanged gifts (and received great stuff for the house--hooray!)

The weather hasn't yet cooperated for us to venture to Lindsay to share Christmas with my family. I'm trying to make the most of the extra free time--snuck in a nap, snacked a little here and there, played an extra game of footsie with Logan and Knight, and even snuck in a little bit of study for my board exam. Until further notice, we're in a holding pattern. We are so grateful, however, that we're warm and surrounded by loving family.

Christmas snuck up on us this year, and I didn't get all of my cards out. My apologies. Know that you're all in our thoughts and prayers this season. What year it's been! We have a new appreciation for some of the emotions young, scared Mary must have been experiencing on that cold night thousands of years ago when she gave birth to the tiny babe in the manger. Thanks for sticking in there with us, your fellowship is sustaining. We wish each and every of you richest blessings in 2010.

(I promise to post pictures soon. . . as soon as I get to my own computer).