Looking Back, Looking Forward

The first week of the new year has passed, and soon the second will be gone as well. Looking back on the past month, my life has changed in some fairly big ways. A little over a month ago, we found out that my cousin Jennifer's growing baby is a girl! So early April we will joyfully welcome baby Kylie Brooke into our family! Alex will be a big brother and we can't wait for her to get here!

I finished up what I thought were the last of my prerequisites for nursing school at the beginning of December, ready for the next chapter of my life. (come to find out, I still have one more class, but I can take it online, so no biggy). But where would the next chapter of my life be? Well, Baylor nursing school in Dallas thought I was coming there (if that had actually taken place, I would have had orientation this morning, and would be currently living in Dallas.) However, that is not the plan. On December 19th I had an interview with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX regarding admittance into their accelerated one year nursing program. Two days later, they sent out my acceptance letter! Hallelujah! I'm in! So another big change! Starting May 1st, I will be thrown into a world of clinicals and nursing classes at a ridiculously fast pace. And I'm so excited. Yes, it's going to be intense, but I'm ready for it. After much prayer, I knew I should go to nursing school. And now once again the Lord has opened up a huge door of opportunity, and I anticipate wonderful things to come from it! So Galveston, TX, here I come! You ready?

Christmas was wonderful, as usual. I enjoy our family traditions so much. Christmas definitely changes each year as I get older. When we were younger, Jonathan and I were so excited to wake up and see what Santa brought! My grandparents and aunt and uncle got to our house ridiculously early to share in our excitement. The excitement of Christmas has not faded, but I'm starting to realize that it's merely shifted. Yes, the giddy excited feeling of not being able to fall asleep on Christmas Eve because you can't stop thinking about Christmas morning is wonderful and I definitely have had many sleepless Christmas Eves...but the joy and excitement of spending such a wonderful day with your family is just as great. My family, since Jonathan and I are older now, is enjoying each other's company. We're soaking in the memories, reminiscing on the blessings of the year, and celebrating the birth of our Savior and His glory. It was a great Christmas with the people I love most!

However, the week in between Christmas and New Years Day and the days folling have brought many trials for my family. A treasured member of our family has had health problems for some time, and is continuing to get worse. We are blessed in the fact that we have been able to make hospital visits to my aunt in Austin, and then in Dallas. She is now at home in Austin, and our family is looking forward to spending as much quality time with her as possible. But it is hard to see people I love so much in such pain. It is difficult times like these that make me fully realize how blessed I am to be part of such a close, strong family. This Saturday we are celebrating my uncle's birthday in Austin at their home, and I'm excited to see them.

The New Year has come, and it's a year full of possibilities, hope, and expectations. Finishing up one chapter of my life. Planning for the next one. All with great anticipation! With all this said, Happy New Year! I hope 2008 treats you well!