Christmas Evening... Happy Wishes for the New Year

So, Christmas has come and gone at my house. Everyone is tucked safely in bed but me, and I am sitting here pondering what I will do with the new year.

This year, I spent mostly sick. I have sarcoidosis and have had a couple surgeries and have been on steroids and lots of interesting drugs. I have gained almost 80 pounds, and watched from my bed a lot of times as my daughter grew. I have taken 2 demotions at work because I couldn't keep up because I was so sick and worn out. I have fought with my husband because he has had to be a mommy and a daddy a lot. Now, enough of those bad things... I have also....

1) Watched my 2 year old get bigger and smarter every day
2) Gotten better at communicating my needs to my husband
3) Grown closer with my mom
4) Gotten a real diagnosis for this disease so I can overcome it
5) Survived brain surgery and come through it stronger
6) Found a hobby I really enjoy
7) Taken demotions at work and gained more time at home with less stress
8) Learned that limitations don't mean you can't have a happy life
9) Got a new fast car :)
10) Met lots of new people who I have something in common with, even if we never see each other in real life (digi-scrappers, you are amazing folks!)

The list can go on forever. I like to think that for everything bad that I can list, I can usually think of 5 good things. I am truly blessed in ways I never could have imagined.

For Christmas, my mom gave me a sewing machine. I can't wait to learn how to use it and have another outlet for my creative side. John gave me a new pair of flannel pajamas and an electric throw blanket. Both will be wonderful when I am having a "down" day. He also gave me a day of rest today to get over the holidays and to get ready to go back to work. I don't think he realizes how much the little things like this mean to me.

We spoiled Maia. I have a ton of pictures to scrap. She got so many toys she didn't know what to do with herself. She especially likes her new maracas and tambourine, as well as her new train.

I got a request in my comments to make an ipod or a gameboy. I will work on both of these during this week. I am also working on a New Years Kit that I will be giving to everyone who participates in the contest at Luckybug. If you haven't entered, you still can. It's simple, just use any of my Christmas freebies in a layout and post a link to it in their forums.

For the New Year: I still have time to think of some of my wishes and goals. For today, I have decided my biggest wish and goal is to think more positively. I will focus on the blessings I have in life rather than the limitations. I have come to find that the limitations are often hidden blessings in disguise. I may have a yucky disease but it has taught me to slow down and enjoy the things that really matter in life, to grab onto the little things and hold them tight.

I truly wish you the best and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Your comments have really helped me through some hard times and they make the good times that much better.