Okay, I know that overall everyone wants to hear more about daily life which I probably would too if I were you .... but I have just kind of had this block when it comes to JUST WRITING. I want pictures for everything to help me through, so today I decided there would be no pictures.

Just me and the "blank page."

So, you may ask, what is going on in your life?

Well, I may answer, lots. And then again, not much. See - this is harder than you thought huh?

Okay, okay, here we go:

For those of you who don't know, I am taking a short trip home for Christmas! I am very excited and can't wait to see my family and friends. I will be spending a lot of time drinking Starbucks and gazing around Target, and probably talking a lot too, to cashiers and anyone else who will listen (j/k, well, sort of). The only sad part is that my favorite and wonderful hubby can't come, so sadly our first Christmas will be apart. We decided to celebrate our Christmas later on the "orthodox" Christmas, which is January 7th. Not my preference, but hey, you take what you can get. I will only be in the states for two and a half weeks - tickets were very spendy and so I was locked into specific dates. I will be arriving in Chicago on December 13th then heading to Minnesota on the 16th where I'll stay until my family takes me back to Chicago to fly out. I also decided my parents need to move to Chicago because EVERY flight comes in there. Seriously. Every. Flight.

Also on the note of my family my parents could both use your prayers as they have a lot going on at church with Christmas coming up. Especially my Mom (no offence dad :)). Many of you know of her struggle with heart problems and that she may have to have surgery yet again. She has already endured three surgeries this past half year alone, and now she faces that possibility again. The surgery they would be doing would leave her fully dependent on her pacemaker. Right now she is on meds that are helping and basically doing the same thing the surgery would, but without surgery. The only downside is the the terrible side effects. So right now things are a little up in the air as to when surgery will take place. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I know it would mean the world to her. And I can't even tell her how much her shining example and strength mean to me. I cannot fathom how blessed I am to have such a wonderful Mom. (I'm not gonna cry ... i'm not gonna cry***)

On a lighter note, uhm, well, something lighter tomorrow!