It's been awhile!

Hey everyone! No, I have not fallen off the planet. I'm still here and kicking! Thanks to those of you for checking up on me. I have just not wanted to blog and when I've actually had the time, I just don't have the desire to write, and when I have the desire, I don't have the time!

November and December were hard months for me. A lot happened and I struggled greatly with depression. My husband was temporarily laid off the end of September---he is a children's case manager and Medicaid in Arkansas was going through a lot of changes and his company was switching hands. He finally went back to work in January for the mental health company he used to work for for 5 years. My husband has never been without work and this was such a hard season for both of us. The Lord provided financially and it was not a burden. I can look back now and be thankful--I didn't feel thankful at the time!

I almost lost my dad around this same time also. He had triple bypass surgery that failed (he was allergic to the medicine they used in his bypasses) and then had blood crushing his heart and had another emergency open heart surgery. My family lives in California and this was such a hard time with me being here. My siblings told me I should come and they felt that my dad seeing his baby girl would help. The school where I work, plus other loving people took up a donation and paid for me and my husband to go to California to see my dad. It was such a blessing and he began doing better while I was there. We went the week before Christmas. He got to come home on New Year's after being in the hospital for 6 weeks. He has really had to change some things, but is doing much better.

I think these two things, combined with still not being over our IVF-chemical pregnancy in May just really hit me hard and I just didn't feel like whining on here. (even though I KNOW you would listen--or read real fast!)

Things are better now and somewhat back to normal. My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in January and we spent a weekend away at Mount Magazine (beautiful and very romantic).

School is going well--I'm ready for summer and warm weather! I have been struggling with my sinuses/allergies. Something is bloomin' this week and is driving my poor nose crazy!

I got to meet a fellow blogger---that was an exciting thing! Sarah and I met in Russellville 2 Fridays ago! Check out her blog for our pic! (sorry, I don't know how to link it)

This week so far has been a week of remembering---last year at this time, we were on a Caribbean cruise with 2 other couples and we were having the time of our life! Every couple hours I will stop what I'm doing and remember what my husband and I were doing at this time last year on the cruise. Such awesome memories. I'm ready to go again! I highly recommend going on a cruise with friends!

Nothing new for us in the area of children. I wish I could type and say we are finally having a baby, but nope. Some days I really get angry and struggle with all this still, and other days I just try to block it out of my mind. My husband reminded me again last night (as my emotions got the best of me) that we are a family and are happy--a baby does not make our life perfect. That is so hard to grasp, but I am trying. We are planning on another round of IVF this summer, provided the insurance will pay for it this time. We just don't want to pay for it again without any help.

Just one more day of school for me this week. Thursday and Friday I am going to the state band/choir convention in Hot Springs! I am so looking forward to relaxing and visiting with friends for 2 days! Saturday my hubby and I are going to visit my college buddy and her husband in Fayetteville! We are getting pedicures, shopping, eating, and hoping to catch some good bands on Dixon Street!

Thanks for not giving up on me and my blog. I still read yours---i know I wasn't posting or commenting, but I was and am still reading! Hopefully I won't wait another 3 months to post again! Blessings to all of you!