Merry Christmas

Wow, how easy it is to get caught up in Christmas preparation!  Actually, I have been caught up in working on one Christmas gift.  Aly's only desire, this year, was a "new" bedroom.  She has had the smallest of our bedrooms and since she couldn't think of anything else she wanted, I have been working to switch her bedroom with our guest bedroom.  I'm still trying to figure out why I didn't say I'd start the project after Christmas!  I'm happy to report I completed the gift last night.  The lower half of the room was a navy blue so with Aly's blessing I put chalkboard paint over that.  The upper half is an aqua color.  All the furniture has been moved and pictures have been successfully hung.  I think she is happy with the results.  She told me she slept good and said how quiet it is in her new room, so I'll take that as a yes.  Her old bedroom was right over our living room so she could always hear the tv and people talking.  The new room is in the front of the house and not over any rooms we always use, so yes it is quieter!  I still have to get a set of chalk so she can try out the walls!
So, now we will move on to other Christmas festivities!  I'm feeling weeks behind now.  We are going to make cookies today.  I have presents to wrap and some last minute shopping to do!  Not to mention what a mess my house is right now!  Hopefully I'll be able to whip it into shape during my days off.
Aly is continuing her road to recovery.  It was Exploratory Day at school, yesterday.  The kids had many activities to choose from.  Aly chose to watch Home Alone, which included activities with duct tape and then the other half of the day was swimming.  I got a call, from the nurses office, about 45 minutes before the end of the day, telling me that Aly was tired and wanted to come home.  I guess she had too much fun! Most days, when she gets home, she seems tired and doesn't want to do much.  I'm still waiting for her to feel better and get back to some activities.  I think it would make her happier.  I've been waiting for her to tell me she's ready to get back into the pool with the swim team.  She just hasn't had the extra energy.
I must say a belated "thank you" to the wonderful Middle School East staff who helped put together t-shirt and wristband sales.  I've placed an order for 141 shirts and about the same number of wristbands.  Thank you to all of the families who have made purchases.  We truly appreciate the support.  I'm hoping to get the shirts distributed before Rally for Aly day in January!
We feel we have received the best Christmas gift possible, Aly's good health reports.  We can only hope and pray that the cancer is gone for good and that Aly will continue to feel better as the days, months, and years go by.  We ask for your continued prayers, not only for Aly, but all who are battling cancer.  Please help support programs and organizations that support kids with cancer.  We have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of such programs and can tell you how important they are.
 
Merry Christmas to you all and may you find peace and joy this coming new year!