ends and beginnings ......

As I sit here on the eve of a new year ...

I can't help wonder what lies ahead ... 2010 was not a great year, 2011 was full of news lots bad, some good, lots of unknown, but was amazing in ways that are hard to explain. I continued to learn a lot about myself, to make changes for the better and look at my life as a journey. 

This journey, i "Trust" is what is meant to be, not always easy, not always fun.....

but life changing ... what happens next .. good or bad is meant to be.....

I'll hold on, I continue to trust and be thankful for the meaningful people that are

here for me along the way.  Who will be here next year ? Where will I be at this time

next year ... only time will tell ... so i'll continue to

"Trust my Journey"

finally time for me ....

as much as I have loved this holiday season .... it has been busy..

just the normal work, kids in school until the 22, shopping, wrapping,

plus shopping for gram, wrapping for gram, through in some fun and a few xmas parties..

fun but busy ...

so my promise to myself ... the day after Christmas is MY day ... at it has been today.

I woke up this morning (Nicole was already gone for the day and ryan was off to run the neighborhood)

made myself a pot of coffee and spent the entire day in my jammies watching movies...

the whole day !!! quiet and to myself ...

Thanks to my brother and his job ...

I was able to sit on my couch, under my new blanket and watch

War Horse, The Ides of March, The Help, Our Idiot Brother and Young Adult...

What a much needed day of peace, quiet & relaxation....



Christmas has spread it's magic on us.....

Christmas 2011 has come and gone but left amazing memories with us!!!

Our marathon was pretty much the same and the time we spent with our families was priceless!!!

Christmas Eve ... cousin time is always full of laughs

My beautiful little girl

Our Family together another year ... so so blessed

Ry loves his new pillow pet :)

off to our later Christmas Eve with the Bliss'
Time spent with family

Santa Claus came last night and even left a few presents for Nicole and Ryan
I love the feeling of excitement on Christmas morning

New IPOD

New golf clubs
Thanks Santa for the smiles

The kids and mom & dad sure had fun opening our presents

Abblesivers, our traditional christmas breakfast homemade by grandma and enjoyed by
Papa, Grandma, Mark, Lori, Ron, Leigh Ann, Nic and Ryan and a special addition this year
great grandma enjoying her moms receipe straight from Denmark..
Yumm Yumm ... covered in boysenberry jam and powdered sugar is how I like them (no butter for me)

Nicole and Aunt Leigh Leigh ... special times

wow what a crazy fun mess of presents ...
Thank you Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Ron and Leigh Ann
we loved them all!!!!

a few of Ryan's favorites ... socks from Leigh Leigh and tennis shoes from Papa and Grandma

Nicole loved all her gifts ... and was so excited for her UGGS
(me to now she can leave mine alone)

Christmas day dinner ... Grandpa always carves the turkey and it's always good.... thanks grandma

You only have to say it once, "dinner is ready" and we all come running

Another wonderful Merry Christmas!!!!

my friend

Special gift ...... special moment ...
time with Mynette and her family 

Lights ... Lights ... Lights

great evening out enjoying a bit of christmas cheer !!!

complete with 6 kids, cold weather, hot chocolate, donuts, a wheelchair, a lost kid (mine) and lots of laughs ... thanks for the fun Kilblos'

The next night an evening of lights in Naples .... with Grandma and Papa, Ron and Leigh Ann

along with dinner at Naples Rib Company

Christmas fun ...

 

Room 7413

 A day in the hospital ...

Nicole checked into her private room this moring at 530am

(oh the ..... Pediatric ward, stuffed animal waiting on her bed and a visit from santa claus too!)

doesn't she looked excited ....

refused to get in the bed .,... she said no that's ok ..

The ride from her room down the halls through the different areas and onto 2 elevators to the operating room, according to a teenage girl .. that is the most embarassing awkward thing EVER!!!

they let me sit with her in the pre-op and next to her when the anestitialogist got her all set ..
I thought she looked so cute all ready for surgery including the adorable hat.
she on the other hand did not find my picture taking right before I left her for surgery, very polite

two pokes and lots of blood ... finally got her IV started .. I guess cold teenager does not equal good veins

she was so cute and she came out of her haze

Santa stopped by the peds ward and left her the only sort of age appropriate thnig in his bag "monkey slippers"

Can you imagine .. she couldn't wait to get that hospital gown off

home we go !!!!

Today, Nicole was a trooper !!! A lot of nurses (all so so sweet), a room, two doctors, 2 gurney rides, an
Endoscopy, 10 biopsy sites, an IV, medication, according to the Dr. a very red and irritated stomach ...
Our 7 hours in the hospital are over and now we wait ...
wait for results, wait for answers and a plan!!!
But the good thing is a plan to make her feel better is coming soon!!!
Keep you posted...

Kilbos Chistmas fun .....

yes, i do know how blessed I am ....

I have the most amazing "Bond" family ... and blood family!!!

How lucky can one get!!!

Tonight we celebrated a fabulous Christmas tradition with the Kilblos'

and as always ...

great family fun, wonderful food & meaningful gifts!!!

boys will boys !!!

tonights game of choice "Rock, paper, scissors, slap" still not sure whos knuckles were the most bruised ...
in my book .. not so much fun .. I must be getting old

love the shoes Richard

Merry Christmas Kilblos Family