BACK TO ATLANTA...: "A long December, and I've got reason to believe this one will be better than the last..."

To say it's been a long December is the understatement of the year. As my friend, Marty, keeps telling me..."You have to slow down." For those of you who don't know...over this month, we've celebrated Drew's 3rd birthday, we closed on a house, we moved into the house, I went back to work, we unpacked boxes, we decorated for Christmas, Drew had a birthmark removed from his bottom, Grady moved out of our room and into a crib in his own room, and we celebrated Christmas with my family and await the arrival of Dave's parents on Tuesday evening to finish out the festivities. Ok, so it was a lot to take on at once, and in hindsight, I might not have gone back to work so early if I had known what this month would look like, but who knew?!?! As we close out 2009, we are so thankful for our wonderful friends and family. We hope 2010 will be better than 2009 for many reasons, and we ask for continued prayers for friends like Brian Heck, who is serving and protecting all of us in the Middle East as I write this. He's due home to his sweet family in the spring. Finally, there are many who read this blog who in their own private way might need a prayer for a refreshed mind, body, and/or soul...you know who you are...! I'll keep saying them and ask you to do the same. Happy New Year!

A rare family photo before Drew's Christmas program at school

Drew being wheeled out of his hospital room after his surgery at Scottish Rite this Monday

Grady hits a milestone

You are NOT seeing double; this is Drew in the same outfit Grady is wearing in the previous picture when he was just 3 weeks old (Christmast 2006).

Drew helping me put icing on the cookies for Santa. He got carried away with the powdered sugar, and please don't knock my pale, dirty appearance. I just got back from a 3 mile run on this one. Dave & I are currently training for the Atlanta ING Half-Marathon in March. Yes, Dave is going to run a half-marathon.