Thank you

This has been a hard week for me and it's only just begun. Last year at this time, things were going pretty well for us so to see where we are now...hurts. Neither Chris nor I thought the unemployment would last this many months. That's not to say that I haven't enjoyed the time we have had just reconnecting as a family. I have treasured every minute of that time, knowing it could -- and would -- end anytime, but I'm also aware of the effects an extended period of unemployment has on our quality of life.

We have had feelings and impressions of which job was the right job and that we just needed to be patient. But when every day that ticks by is another day closer to being completely out of money, it's hard to remember that.

Then, just when you think you're down and out for good, the Lord has a way of reminding us He is still watching and is mindful of our needs.

That was shown to me by someone that I can only call an angel visiting our house tonight. I don't know who this person was. Probably never will. But if that angel is someone who reads this blog, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for giving so generously, especially when you didn't have to. Thank you for thinking of our family. Thank you for giving my family a Christmas. Thank you for helping us survive another month while we wait for Chris to find a new job.

Up until tonight, it has been hard not to doubt that the job is out there. I've spent too much time wondering if Chris needed to start applying to the $12/hour jobs even though that would only pay part of our bills, because at least it would be something. And maybe it's terrible of me to need a plain-as-day representation that we have not been forgotten, but nonetheless, the gift we received tonight has renewed my faith that we will get through this.

Merry Christmas!

Averie - 13 Months

I'm not going to do updates every month like I did the first year but today was Averie's 12-month well baby visit (even though she's 13 months) so I had to post that.

Averie weighs 21 lbs 10 oz (50th %tile) and is 31.5 inches tall (95th %tile)! Her head is still in the 75th %tile, as usual. She loves to dance and clap along to music, and even knows how to show us her bellybutton when we ask where it is! She's not much of a talker yet as far as real words go, but she always has plenty to say :). Her walking has also improved a lot and she's crawling less and walking more (with fewer falls, too).

She got all the big shots today too - MMR, chicken pox and hepatitis - as well as a flu shot. There was much crying at first and looks of "how could you do this to me?", but she calmed down quickly. She's always such a trooper.

Averie also has her first cold. It's always so terrible when your baby is sick -- I just wish I could take her place so she could rest. There were a few times last night that she had just drifted off to sleep and then she coughed herself awake again :(.

Sorry for the overwhelming lack of pictures. I fail at regular camera use lately. Hopefully I'll get my act together and have a picture post soon :).