Happy New Year!

Well technically it is only two weeks past the New Year. I meant to get a Christmas letter out with my cards and even began writing it. However in the cookie-making, present-buying, gift-wrapping, tree-decorating frenzy that is December, I never finished it.

Just to update the major things going on (I will number so that I do not forget any):

1. Been living here in Michigan for almost 3.5 years. Can't believe time has gone by so so quickly. Other than the traffic, which I despise, it isn't too bad living here. I have around a 25 minute commute to work, P a 15 minute, I like my gym/rec center, I've met a bunch of people to do things socially with through Newcomers, and the winter isn't as bad down 'south' here as up North. I entertain moving somewhere new as the economy is not great around here with the Auto industry which we are dependent on for over half our income. Eventually we will have to move I believe.

2. I do like my job and got a promotion last year so I am in charge of some other research sites. I find the work very intellectually stimulating and I learn something new all the time. I've been working a great deal more hours than previously and am juggling a lot of stuff. It's nice to be a job I like however. It makes spending 50 hours a week there much less horrible.

3. My health has been a little iffy last year. What can I expect with the genetics I got? However, I am not even one iota as sick as any of many patients. Praise God that I do not require a bone marrow transplant. Last year was definately a year of procedures. Several infertility procedures, an upper GI scope, a lower GI scope, bone scan, x-rays, Ugh. That is all the details I will supply. Thank goodness I got twilight sedation for the majority of them and can recall very little. There has been a great deal of disappointment with the course my fertility issues have taken. We have had many discussions among ourselves as well as with physicians to try and determine the best course of action. Emotional, physicial, as well as financial issues all play a part. Physcially things weren't as bad as I anticipated, but emotionally much worse. Please keep us in your prayers.

4. We did do some travelling this year. In Februrary I sent to Hawaii for a convention which was fantastic (yes I let P come with me!). He had a splendid time as well and was useful to have along on the long flight back when I slept on him for over five hours. We had our customary week up North in a cottage in August. In September I got sent to Arizona for work and we (yes, P came along again!) spent some very luxurious time in Phoenix which we really needed and enjoyed. We didn't travel as much as we wanted to because we spent the entire summer remodeling our kitchen. P did all the work himself and it looks fantastic! We got new flooring, cabinets, countertops, lighting, microwave, sink, faucet.

That's all for now! I hope you all have a healthy and happy new year.