Catching up

Before too much more of 2012 goes by, I thought I would take a few minutes and catch up on what's new with us.  We were fortunate to be able to have Ryan home for the evening prior and Christmas Eve day.  We celebrated our Christmas then and Sunday simply attended church and enjoyed a turkey dinner.  He continues to do well and the kids had a great time being together again.  Santa was good to them as always.  My sister and nephews spent the weekend with my parents so we were able to Skype which the kids loved.

Ry with his new shirt and Prada cologne ...

Connor got his gold Cal jersey and iPod ...

Kelleigh got a Kindle and Wii game (plus clothes) ...

Enjoying the warm morning outside with Grandma ...

Mark got his Cal Memorial Stadium picture wiith a piece of the bench from the stadium that is currently being renovated (and the Samsung tablet he'd opened weeks earlier!) ...

With Ryan ...

Crystol with Josh and Jake ...

and my parents ...

Before the holidays began I had interviewed for a position at Francis Parker School assisting the Director of Extended and Student Services as well as the Director of Fundraising.  It was a perfect fit from the corporate and school positions I've held over the years.  While I wasn't seeking to return to work, it's an opportunity hard to pass up although I admit to struggling with the idea of giving up my freedom!  I am to be formally offered the job this week so Mark will soon be assuming the role of Mr. Mom.

After the holidays I began having terrible back pain and thought I had a pinched nerve.  When nothing would cease the pain, I went to Urgent Care and was given muscle relaxers.  When they did nothing, I got a doctor's appt as I suspected I had shingles.  They confirmed that was so and the back pain was where the virus had settled causing the rash and pain throughout the nerve path around my hip and down my leg.  The meds have helped tremendously and each day the pain is less and less.  As if that isn't enough fun, I had a second mammogram and ultrasound when the first one came back indicating further evaluation was needed.  The follow-up results showed two masses in my left breast.  On the 17th I will have a stereotactic biopsy procedure done to see what they are.  I pray they are just calcifications although I can't say I'm looking forward to this procefure (YouTube has a great video on the procedure should you care to look!)

Connor and Mark attended his football banguet yesterday.  He enjoyed it and each player received a booklet with pictures of them from the season as well as their League Champions t-shirts.  Afterwards they went and bought his new lacrosse stick and head.  He's very excited to pick that up today.

Mark has been busy getting websites created for different things and attending seminars at the executive search firm that was one of his severance package benefits.  He also has decided to referee lacrosse so will be attending their certification classes soon.  He's developing quite a diversified resume these days!

I think that brings me up to date!  More as life unfolds ...