Well now. I have all but forgotten about this blog I have. I didn't realize it was so long since my last post.

- lots of mixed feelings in this head/heart of mine these days... we are on our way to our old stompin' grounds...first the city for awhile and then "home" for the holidays.
I am really, really excited to spend time with my extended family over Christmas, and to catch up with friends in the city.
On the other hand, this is bringing up a lot of emotions in me. It feels like these 6 weeks away are the beginning of leaving our home here, since when we get back we will only have 6 months left here. I'm not surprised how hard this is hitting me. Our friends here have become our family.

- and so, packing six people up for six weeks brings its own stress. Pulling the girls out of school means making sure we have school supplies, books, paper, etc. along with things for the little girls to stay busy. I am really, really looking forward to reconnecting with my kids over these 6 weeks. I have determined that our mornings will be ours and ours alone, not to be shared too freely :-)
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how easy going their teachers were about us pulling them out of school this long (to be honest, I didn't really care what they thought since I think this type of thing can be much more "educational" than sitting in a classroom for 7 hours a day). But they were happy to give them a few projects to work on and to encourage me to make the most of our time together.

- tomorrow I am going to see an orthopedic surgeon about getting a bump on my leg removed. I hit my shin on the side of a canoe when I was 15, and it's bothered me ever since. I have gotten it checked periodically but now I felt (and my doc agreed) that it was time to put it away. It has been bothering me more lately and I will be happy to get rid of it. I am a little anxious about it, but trying to let Jesus carry my anxiety for me.

- I got to sit and sip a London Fog with a dear friend last night. What a breath of fresh air that was. It is amazing to be with someone who is constantly letting God change her and renew her thinking to be more like His (and believe me, her life is not easy). I love being challenged by her.

- I am really anxious for this week to be over so that I can sit and sip coffee with friends and maybe even get in on some Christmas baking with my mommy. I'm ready for a rest.