What's new with you?

Does it really feel like it's almost Christmas? Not to me!

I have to say though, I'm not such a Scrooge this year. Much better than last year.

But I have been a blogging slacker. I'd like to say that it's because nothing has been going on, but the truth is that there has just been so MUCH this year, I haven't really had the time to keep up with the blog. Horrible, I know, since I was really good at it last year. But then again, last year just seemed... slower.

The kids are growing like weeds in June, but I'm working more than any 'stay at home' mom should work. I think that technically I'm not a SAHM anymore, because, well, I'm at work all the darned time. These things happen when you take a full time job, yes?

The blog isn't the only writing that I haven't been doing. My book, ALMOST SOUTHERN, that is 'almost' finished, has come to a halt. No, the story didn't stop working. No, the characters didn't stop talking. I just have decided not to write, right now. I've got a lot of things going on, and trying to balance the writing with the job with the church obligations, and still manage to be a halfway sane mom and a semi-decent wife was not working. Since I can't get rid of the job right now, and the kids and The Man seem to be sticking around, the writing is the thing that needs to take a back seat. this is not a FOREVER quit. It's just an indefinite hold. I've got to catch back up with the rest of my life, so that I can finesse the story's end and get it sent off. So if you're wondering about prayer requests for me - that's the one. Pray that my life settles enough for me to be able to write again. Because frankly, I miss it like crazy.

Christmas is just a few days away, and with that comes... the month of EVERYTHING. We celebrated our anniversary earlier this month. Still can't believe we've been married more than five years. Shane's birthday was last Friday. I took him HERE, and HERE. It was a double birthday/anniversary celebration, NO KIDS ALLOWED. Oh bliss! Second Girl Child has her birthday on Friday. We're taking her to a Japanese Steakhouse and to see a movie. Oldest Boy Child has a birthday on Christmas Eve. He will be a teenager. My heart catches when I think about that. I just don't feel old enough to have TWO teenaged children. Very bizarre.

My Great Uncle Bill passed away this past Saturday. Yes, another hard loss. I'm internalizing this one, as none of my immediate family knew him all that well. I, however, have very fond memories of him from childhood, so the past few days have been spent thinking about him and the things he said and did when I was a wee one. I also ache for his wife, my sweet Aunt Doris, truly one of the kindest women that I know. They were married for 49 years this past October. Now he's gone. That's just so hard to fathom. Please keep her in your prayers as well, along with the rest of my family out in Oklahoma. This is a very hard loss for all of them.

Have a safe and happy Christmas. Grab your loved ones and hold on tight to them, ok? Don't forget to share all of that love in your heart. "Here today, gone tomorrow" isn't just a saying. It's the truth. And sometimes, tomorrow gets here a lot sooner that you ever thought it would. Don't let a single opportunity to express that love pass you by.

Hugs to everyone!