Sweet times

I'm not sure how well I am doing at slowing down. It seems like we haven't had a free night in weeks. But, we have had some awesome opportunities to spend time with people we haven't been able to in a while. Last weekend we had the XL band over for dinner and games. It was a chance for them to be together outside a practice or service and for us to bless them with a free dinner. Hector is so blessed to have a team of people serving with him that are dedicated, talented and that he enjoys being with. We made mini pumpkin bread loaves and candy for them as a little gift. It was actually lots of fun making the candy. Hector may not know it yet, but it might be a new tradition. I got a few pictures of our candy making adventure, but totally forgot to take the camera out while everyone was here. I was bummed! We ate dinner and played some games. It was a great night to get to know them and their families better and just enjoy some adult fellowship.

This week has been busy with finishing up Christmas shopping and Hector preparing for the XL Christmas concert this weekend. Monday we left Cohen with my parents and went to Chattanooga for a day of shopping. I'm SO blessed to have a husband who enjoys shopping. I actually am not a shopper, but when we have to shop, he is such a trooper and probably enjoys it more than me. I think the stressful part for me is just making decisions. I'm always afraid I'm going to find something better or a lower price at another store. I struggle spending money...especially so much in one day. But, we got a lot done and were thankful for the chance to do it without Cohen, considering the freezing cold temperatures and mass amount of stores we needed to run in and out of. We also enjoyed just having the day together.

Yesterday, I took an unexpected trip to Birmingham to the eye doctor. I called about the slightly blurry vision I had noticed in the last week, and he wanted me to come in. Although in no way convenient, I knew I needed to make the trip. So, Hector and Cohen stayed home and I braved the sleet and ice to make my appointment. I would have much rather been home with my family, but the car ride over did make for some sweet time with Jesus. There is just something freeing about being alone in a car listening to worship music. I can trade in the Veggie Tales Toddler Tunes for Bethany Dillon and sing as loud as I want without worrying about knowing every word or if I'm exactly on key. Or I can just sit quietly and let the words of songs I've heard hundreds of times minister to my heart. (By the way, Bethany Dillon just has a unique talent to put MY heart into words! Love her!)

Well, I made good time getting there but waited about 2 1/2 hours to see the doctor. When I finally got to see him, he said there was a little inflammation but not enough to worry about or cause me to increase my medication. Instead, I will use my steroid eye drop more often in hopes of getting rid of that remaining inflammation and continue decreasing my oral steroids. This was good news for me because I was fearful he would want to increase the oral steroids or tell me I needed to begin another medication. However, I'm still battling some discouragement as I think about what will happen next week when I decrease them again. Still praying hard!! I'm starting to feel a difference lately also. My face seems less swollen, and I'm sleeping better. I'm just really ready to feel like myself again. Well, after spending about 3 hours at the doctor's office, I headed home just before rush hour but just in time to get caught in STAND STILL traffic behind a wreck. The weather was awful, and the bridges were frozen. I sat hungry and tired for another 2 HOURS on the interstate watching the time tick away. Eventually we started to move, and I made it to my exit. However, the back roads were awful, and I had to drive about 30 mph to keep my car from sliding off the road the rest of the way home. It was rather frightening. When I finally got home (at 11 p.m.) after 5 hours of traveling and most of it spent intensely focused and tightly gripping the steering wheel, I had an incredible headache. Despite it all, it was so sweet to come home to my wonderful husband, clean and sweetly decorated house, sleeping baby, and a warm bed. I think Cohen and Daddy had a good day despite some moments of cabin fever. I have so much to be thankful for, and if that's the worst of my days for a while, I'm doing pretty good.

Well, like I said, I haven't physically slowed down much, but I have tried each day to refocus my thoughts on Christ and praise Him for his many blessings in my life! I guess I'm trying to savor the busyness of this season and cherish the quiet moments when they come.