Christmas Part 1 - in Fort Worth

Keeping with tradition, Dan & I traveled coast-to-coast last week (from CA to TX to VA) so we could see both our families. It's exhausting, but well worth it since we love seeing everyone at Christmastime! We were able to spend 4.5 days with my family in Fort Worth celebrating in less traditional ways since Paul is in a rehab facility recovering from surgery again. He had been living with my parents, getting his strength back and focusing on pain management after having spine surgery this summer. But a couple of weeks ago, he slipped and fell in the bathroom and fractured a bone in his pelvis. He had pins inserted to hold the bone in place and has been in a 24/7 rehab center since then. We're all praying that he'll continue to mend, get back on his feet, and be back at home soon! It was hard on all of us that he couldn't leave the facility even for a few hours (Medicare will refuse to continue to pay for his treatment if he "releases" himself by even stepping out the door). But it was the best kind of circumstance in which to remember our Savior's miraculous birth, perfect life, and sacrificial death for our sins because of God's great love for us! We know we're not left alone to deal with hard times, and because of our faith in Jesus, we can turn to our Heavenly Father who is our comforter and source of strength. I'm so thankful that Paul is a believer, and his faith in God has been an example to all of us.

It also didn't feel like a typical Christmas in TX because my younger brother, Steve, was in Washington DC preparing for a big job fair and five interviews. He hopes to be hired as a philosophy professor at a university next year, and this was one of his best opportunities to interview without having to travel to multiple locations. We missed him lots, and my mom & I sent him a box full of homemade Christmas goodies so he could enjoy a taste of the holidays on the east coast!

The rehab center was nicely decorated for Christmas and all the staff members we met were so sweet. It was nice knowing that Paul was being well cared for, although of course he wished he was at home!

He had physical therapy every day from 9 am - 11 am, so Dan and I would bring him some of his favorite fast food for lunch & then spend most of the afternoons with him. We brought his laptop and passed the time checking e-mails, showing him funny videos on YouTube, and watching movies.

My cousins, Tricia and Jeff, invited us over on Sunday afternoon to visit them and see their new house, which they recently bought and completely remodeled. They did an amazing (and fast) job! If we ever decide to buy a house that needs remodeling, we're hiring them out! The picture above from L to R: Emily, Tricia, Jeff, Kolby, Addi, Aunt Jane, my mom, Dan and Laura in the front. Tricia and Jeff's son Jackson was there, too, but he was probably playing outside when I took this photo.

The very best part about that picture is Addi, who is pretending to be a cougar. hahaha!

Me and my cool cousins, Tricia and Emily

After our time at Tricia and Jeff's house, we went to a candlelight service at my parents' church. Some of their friends told us about the amazing Christmas lights at the Pier One corporate building in downtown Fort Worth, so we drove there to see them. They had completely coated the trees on their property in different colored lights. It was just beautiful!

Well done, Pier One!

We had an early "Christmas day" at the rehab center on Monday, where we opened all our gifts together. I love calendars! I foresee more trips in 2012!

Paul got some video games to play while he's on the mend.

My dad got wireless headphones so he can turn the TV volume up as loud as he wants without driving my mom crazy. haha :)

And my mom got cozy Crocs and a mug with a hat to keep her drink warm.

Family Christmas Photo 2011

On Tuesday night, our aunts, uncles, & cousins on my mom's side of the family came to the rehab center to spend some time with Paul before we went to dinner at a BBQ restaurant. I love this picture of Remy & Addi!

And I finally got a picture of Jackson! He's a wild one! :)

Tricia is never happier than when her arms are full of babies. Especially Laura and Tucker.

I love that my extended family makes a point to celebrate Christmas together every year!

Then we had one more morning on Wednesday to spend with my parents & Paul before we flew to Virginia to see Dan's family for "Christmas Part 2 - in Williamsburg"!