A Break in the Rain

We have had a busy week of appointments and tests. All is looking good for coming home next Saturday.... That is right you read it correctly... ONLY ONE MORE WEEK!! I am so excited. We have been given lots of information and instructions for home. Some of it was hard to hear. Like how ill Mark will still feel, how long the road to "normal" really is and what things we still have to be careful of and follow the "rules" back home. We are happy that Mark is doing well but slightly overwhelmed with all that is left to do. It seems like we have been waiting for this day for SO long and it would all be over. Well one big challenge is over.... more to come. But for now I am going to focus on the short term = Christmas and getting HOME! The rest can be worked out later. There will be plenty of time for new calendars, schedules, charts, eating and exercising plans once I get home. I do enjoy making schedules and color coded charts, : ) hahhahah... so it won't be all bad! We are trying to enjoy the last few days here in Seattle, enjoying my living room sunset view, getting ready for Christmas and packing a little too.

Living Room Sunset View

Thursday night we got to have pizza and pop for dinner, the boys opened one present each (mommy picked = new pj's) we put our new pj's on and headed to the car with hot chocolate and went for a drive to see Christmas lights. There are two neighborhoods not far from us that REALLY decorate for the holidays. It was perfect. Boys had fun. We all stayed warm in the car. Got back late so boys went right to sleep. Great time... we'll have to make it a new tradition.

There was a small break in the rain mid-morning this morning... so the boys and I quick put on our warm clothes, shoes and coats and headed out into the sunshine to a park not too far from our apartment. There are several hiking trails at this park and a creek too. It was fun, but muddy, exploring. The boys had a great time, burned off some energy and worked up an appetite. We headed a different way home and happened to find a drive-thru - YES a real drive-thru.... it was a McDonald's... against my better judgement we stopped and got happy meals on the way home. The boys REALLY loved it.

My Goof-Ball Hikers

Pretty - but Muddy hike!

Elijah is done with school. Last day yesterday. They sent him off with gifts and well wishes. He will be missed and we will miss the Hutch school. Such GREAT people.

I am busy catching up on snydergraphics work, cleaning and packing, and getting ready for my parents to arrive Monday.... the earlier the better. We'll have a festive Christmas eve. My Dad and I will do a lot of packing. Then a warm laid back Christmas day. My parents and boys will leave on the 26th and Mark and I will follow by the 29th.

Mark is staying busy with exercising, eating and resting. It is his new "job" as I am calling it. He needs to take his meds/IV's, eat, build muscle and rest. Then Repeat. Every day. With hard work he'll be back soon!

As I sit here typing my girlfriends back home are cleaning my house.... yes that is right, cleaning MY house! I am SO thankful for you ladies! Such a great Christmas/welcome home present. Can't wait to get back and hang out with you in person. I want to catch up with everyone back home.

Continue to pray for our little family. For Joy, patience and endurance. For HEALTH for Mark. For Gods continued financial provision.

Thanks for the Prayers! Thanks for the encouragement! Thanks for the financial support!