I am so very blessed.....

I almost started this post with "Crap, it's been over a month since I posted!" but I'm just bursting with gratitude for being so blessed. I got home from work a short time ago and all night long - even though my job totally sucks - I was feeling so blessed. I don't know what it is, or why I'm feeling this way, but I'm not going to question it. I'm sure once the kids wake up (last day of winter vacation today, school starts again tomorrow) I'll be tested, but I'm just enjoying the feeling. And I just wanted to share!

So much has happened since I last posted! I got a nice note in my Christmas card from my friends, Jayne and John, that they regularly check in to see what's new. Sorry that I've been neglectful at updating! BTW, just got my Christmas cards out, hopefully you'll have them soon!

Let me think back...........well, work and school were just crazy-busy, but the great news is....that I graduated!!! Yes, I have earned my Associate in Arts degree!! That happened on December 15th!

Then Christmas happened. My sister, Caryn, and her family came to visit and we had a great time with them all. On Saturday before Christmas, I had everyone who could make it over to decorate gingerbread houses. It turned out to be so much fun and all the kids did such a great job on them! You can view the pictures here at my Flickr site. Here's a teaser......



Oh, Christmas turned out great. Much better than I had anticipated with being separated. The kids spent Christmas eve with Brad and came home on Christmas morning with Tom. We opened gifts, then had a big breakfast, then went to my sister's house to celebrate with my family. Charlene even made a fabulous meal just for me so I didn't have to munch on a bag of mini-carrots from the produce department for my dinner! It was so sweet of her and she's a fabulous cook. I've got two sisters who will cook for me (thanks, Caryn!), just have to get ther other ones to consider a vegetarian dish or two! ;)

New Year's eve/day was very quiet......the kids were with Brad again. I was fine with quiet and restful. I went to bed really early, but was awakened moments after midnight by some neighbors blowing off fireworks. The kids came home yesterday and it was great to see them. As I mentioned, they are all sleeping like angels at the moment. We're going to take in a movie after I drive Chelsea to work. I think we'll see that "Mansion" movie with Ben Stiller and Robin Williams. Hope it's good!

Last bit of news is that I finally completed my online orientation for the university that I am attending. Whew! Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?! Well, as you know, I wouldn't be me without some "down to the wire" events, right?! So, after finishing the orientation, I was able to register for two classes. I decided that's all I was going to take this trimester (my university is on trimesters, rather than semesters). It was so very cool to see my status listed as a "junior!" Me!! A junior!! How cool is that??!! Well, I think it's cool! ;)

I'm sure that I am forgetting a ton of stuff, but this is enough of an update and I want to get to bed 1) before the kids wake up, and 2) so I can get some sleep so I don't sleep through the movie this afternoon! I'll let you know how it was!

You know....we're all blessed - each and every one of us. We just need to be open to what's offered to us, what/who comes into our lives, and to know that there is a higher purpose for everything - including ourselves. I am blessed if you are reading this...........XXOO

~ Cyn <3>