This week has been one of the hardest of my life. I went back to school and I did okay but I really don't have the stamina for all day yet so I came home ready to go to bed every night. It was a busy week and coming back from a substitute is always hard and this time was no different. We were finishing up sewing in the other teacher's room and students were supposed to be finished by Tuesday but they were about three days behind so we had to push hard to get out of the sewing room. It is also the end of the term so I have to finish up grades and everyone wanted to know what they were missing and I did not know somethings. Friday I was really hurting when I came home. I still have grades to finish before Tuesday so I am glad for the holiday.

Larry and Erick were sick all week too. Larry has not been that sick since I have known him. He told Michelle today he has not been that sick ever. He went to bed when we got home Monday and did not get out except to go to the Doctor and the bathroom until today. He went to church today and teased me this morning so I think he is on the mend but he is still not talking good. He has had a bad cough and other complications. The doctor thought he had pertussus but when the antibiotic did not help he decided that it was probably viral. Erick stayed home all day on Friday and seems to be doing okay now but he was not feeling well during the week. He seemed to have the same thing, a bad cough etc.

Nathan has called a few times. He sent me a picture of David's favorite shirt that I will try to post. It looks like maybe they got it when they went to Georgia to see Amber and Nate Robison. I have posted a link to Sara's blog that will help you to see what she is up to. She has an exciting blog. I don't know where she finds all these things. David talked to me tonight. He was all excited about a game they can play online with a virtual pet.

Michelle and Daniel were just over and Daniel helped me to figure out how to post the links. It is easier than it used to be. There is a link to Daniel's blog. Michelle is all caught up in controversies at the charter school the kids are in. She has spent a lot of time talking to Larry about the situation. She is president of the parent council and is really getting her introduction to the politics of school. They are taking their kids for an overnight retreat tomorrow to one of the condos they have.

Jake and Nikki are having a girl it looks like from her blog. She has posted the ultrasound pictures if you are interested. She is due in May so she says that she is past the half way mark. Ashton has been sick with this stuff also Jake said. Lexie is back in school this month.

Jeff and Misty sent pictures of the family this week. The kids are growing so big. Leah is going to have her tonisls and adenoids out on the 24th of January. Misty has a blog now also so she has posted more about that. Her's is the one about "under the table and dreaming." They are going to California soon to see Grammy and they are planning to come for Larry's graduation in May.

Kirsten and Jon are working opposite hours lately. Jon got a promotion to Journeyman but it means he has to work from 3:00 p.m. until midnight. Kirsten is still working from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. Kyle has a pinewood derby this week that they are building a car for. They had the girls this weekend so they have been busy.

Erick is really busy with school and work this semester. He came home a little overwhelmed the first day of school but he is doing better now, he had Larry give him a blessing. He has had to work late on some days and Saturdays to make his hours lately but he is lucky to have a job that will let him do that. He had a good time last week at a ward family home evening bowling night he went to so he does get out some. Lynette is up tonight, but they are just friends.

BJ and Holly have been busy with work and school also the last three weeks. BJ was down last weekend for his Naval Reserve so we got to see him for a few minutes. He had to get a camaflauge uniform ready to wear last weekend so he stopped in to sew on the name tags. He said that they were able to get a laptop computer with some of the school loan money they had so they have that for school.

Maren and Landon and Brinlie have been in Hawaii for the last week with Landon's family. That is the present they got from Evan and Shirley for Christmas. She has called a couple of times and they picked a good time to go. It is in the 70's over there and it has been in the 20's and 30's here. It is supposed to snow again this weekend sometime. They have had a big house to live in that the family rented. She said that Brinlie has been good but she has had her moments when she wanted to be down and they had to hold her and she was not happy, like on a boat out sightseeing for whales.

Well I will post David's picture and call it a night.

I just pulled my TED hose on for the night. I swear they make your wear those after surgery because they want you to get your arobic exercise trying to put them on. I have been grateful they have not bothered me as much as last surgery. They seem to make my leg feel better. I have been trying to not take my extra percocet today and for the most part I was successful except for once this afternoon. It has been good to see that I may be able to get off the pain medications without having to go cold turkey and get sick. I feel like the spirit is helping me to know what to do and to have the strength. But I called Nathan to wish him a happy birthday and started crying telling him about the day so I am still on the edge.

Nathan is 34 today. It is hard to believe that. I don't feel old except for the arthritis.

We had the family Christmas party last night. It was great. Everyone except Nikki was able to come. We missed her. We had lots of food and good conversation. Larry and I were able to give the kids their presents and I was able to enjoy it better than I think I would have at Christmas. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Larry and I didn't fix anything except a turkey but we have plenty of food for the week that was left here.

Erick had an Italian dinner for some girls in his ward on Saturday evening. He always fixes enough for 15 even though there are six coming so we also have plenty of that to eat this week.

Larry was home all day today working on a presentation for his final class for his bachelor degree. He will have it offically once this class is finished. He will not be able to walk for his graduation until the first weekend in May but I am really proud of his accomplishment and hope that many of you can plan to be at his graduation in May.

Maren came over with Brinlie in the afternoon and we had a good talk. She never seems to get upset when I tell her the same stories over and over. They gave me a spoon display so she helped me get up the display this afternoon with all the spoons that my kids have brought me over the years. I was surprized at how many I had but now I need you all to bring me spoons from where you go around the world to fill up the case.

I have been thinking lately how lucky I am to have such a good family. I appreciate all they do for me and help me to learn. I am grateful that many of you are getting blogs that help us to know what is going on in your lives. Thank you for being good human beings. I appreciate all that you do to help me and love me.

I was able to sleep last night from 9:30 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. I considered that a miracle and felt like I had been blessed by the Lord for taking time to say my prayers even though I was hurting a lot. Larry got up at about the time I went to bed and put ice in the cooler wrap for my leg. He had been asleep but he got up and did that and it helped to keep the swelling down. I have felt like I am getting more control over the pain but I am still on the pain pills. There was a freedom in my spirit today and I didn't feel the pain as much as yesterday. I wrapped presents for the family Christmas party this Sunday, and read my email and worked on the budget. It is amazing what I can accomplish while laying on the bed with my leg in a machine.