Winter Snowstorms and Surgery

December brought with it another surgery for my back due to a re-herniated disc after my surgery in October. Not fun. I do not like being on relative bed rest, and unable to do my usual "mom" stuff. I look forward to being able to get back to swimming and cycling.
The week prior to Winter Break was busy in our house. Lauren was working on her science project, having just finished their play performances and singing at the Oregon Zoo. She did a FANTASTIC job in all her activities. The boys were finishing up their first semester at community college and taking final exams. They both worked very hard, and did amazingly well. I am so proud of both of them. College classes are hard work!
As the week of finals wound to a close, we began to hear weather reports of a bunch of snow storms coming our way. While snow is not unheard of where we live, it's not usually around for very long, and is minimal. As I am writing this, we've had two weeks of snowstorms followed by freezing rain, followed by more snow. Cameron enjoyed a week long trip to California to visit family and friends. He made it home safely, despite some weather related delays. We had a white Christmas yesterday- as large flakes fell fast from the sky they added to the nearly a foot of snow in the yard. It was beautiful.
We had a wonderful Christmas eve, with all of our children. Even our "adopted" daughter Kristal stayed the night. We played games and read the Nativity story from the New Testament. Christmas morning brought a "first" in our house- the parents were up before the kids. I was able to make breakfast, as is our tradition (we have a big breakfast that lasts all day). Bill was up taking care of Molly and the kids didn't get up until after 8 AM. We enjoyed breakfast together and then took turns opening presents and enjoyed watching the happiness on each face as they opened their gifts. It was wonderful having all the kids there for Christmas eve and Christmas morning.
I reflected on how much I love each of my kids and my wonderful husband. What a blessing it is to have a wonderful family to love and how our family has grown to include Kristal and Ibrahim as well as Cameron and Lauren and the love of my life, Bill. I am grateful for all that heavenly Father has blessed me with and know that the trials serve a purpose known to Him. Hopefully I will be a better person for those trials, and one day be able to help others because of what I have experienced. I am grateful for the ultimate sacrifice of my Savior, who suffered for my sins and died that I will live again with my Father in heaven and those I love. I am truly blessed.
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."