Remember those who sacrifice at this time of year.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

My laptop is finally fixed, thanks to my friend, Tom. I am such a procrastinator and I never called the manufacturer to get a recovery disk to fix the hard drive. The cable company comes Tuesday and I'm going to have internet access at home. That will be nice b/c I started my new job at Olive Garden this week and I will be busy with working that into my life.

I have finals this week and finish up for the semester Monday the 14th with an English paper and exam. I cannot believe it is over, feels like it just started but I'm ready for a little break.

I missed McKenzie's Hometown Christmas this weekend. I had to be at work Saturday morning at 9am so I couldn't miss my server training class. And now my schedule will require me to make quick trips back to my hometown to see my children but I want to make them the priority I just have to work around a work schedule.

Found out earlier this week that my family from California is going to be home for Christmas which is totally exciting. The whole family together is such a nice feeling at this time of year. I really have to be honest and say I'm not into Christmas like I once was. My children and the celebration of my Savior's birth has been my only reason for putting on a smile and getting through it. But this year with the addition of my niece (who is 12) back into our lives and everyone being at grandmother's, Christmas is going to be absolutely wonderful. My reason for losing so much of my Christmas spirit is because of the loss of Keith, Hannah's daddy. Loss is so heightened during the holidays but he passed away a week to the day from Christmas and this time of year is always a reminder of what I've lost. But I'm learning more and more how to let go of the feeling of loss. I cannot believe it has been 13 years.

So in speaking about loss, I can't imagine how Keith's parents feel every year at this time. They are such wonderful people. They have always treated me like a daughter and because Keith was an only child, I am too. We should remember those who have just lost loved ones at this time of year and give them a kind word or go visit them as they deal with the holidays without their loved one. Losing my grandfather was hard but watching my grandmother go through her first holidays without him was harder.

Remember also to pray for the local guardsmen and their families as this will be another hard time for every person affected. I cannot imagine how it feels to be without your loved one because they are defending our freedom. May God richly bless each and every person that is overseas and absent from their families' celebrations this year.

I need to go because I should study for my tests coming up and I have a paper to write as well.