Remember the True Meaning of Christmas

I can't begin to tell you how many times I have heard people say, "I can't wait until Christmas is OVER!" What a sad thing to say! Why do we make ourselves so overwhelmed this time of year that instead of enjoying this magical season we wish it was over?

Please don't wish away Christmas. Feel free to cut back on the list of things you feel you must do, or lower the amount you feel expected to spend, heck, even eliminate the cards, but don't wish Christmas away.

Try to remember that Christmas is not about gifts, cookies, parties, and spending, Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of our Lord. It is the time when God blessed us by sending His only son to be born as a human and live among us, to begin the journey toward His ultimate death on the cross to save us from our sins. This is a time when we should be just enjoying each other. Laughing together, sitting quietly by the fire, caroling, playing, and rejoicing.

I can honestly say I have never felt as joyous as I do right now. Every event we attend, every gift that I give, every cookie that I've baked has been full of fun, love, and appreciation for the life I have been given. When you start feeling that overwhelmed feeling, stop, take a breath, and remember what Christmas is REALLY all about!

May God bless you all! Nancy

We celebrated Christmas with Scott's Family on Saturday, what a great day!

Wellsphere Health Blogger Awards 2009

Hi Nancy,

CONGRATULATIONS on your success in the People's Health Blogger Awards Competition — your readers have spoken, and you've been chosen as the Top Blogger in the Cystic Fibrosis community. What a great tribute to you, and a wonderful recognition for your blog!

The competition was a huge success, with hundreds of the best health bloggers competing and thousands of votes cast. These awards are recognition by your readers for the contribution you are making through your blog, so you should feel very proud of your achievement!

Cystic Fibrosis

Congratulations again, and keep up the great work with your blog in the coming year!

Cheers, Hua--David HuaDirector of Blogger Networks

Hannah's Holiday Performances

Hannah's Duet at her Theatre Performance

Performance at Tops

All Went Well in Pittsburgh!

Dear friends,

What a crazy couple of days. We headed to Pittsburgh on Monday so I could have a chest X-ray, blood work, and repeat my pulmonary function tests. Are you ready for this? My lung functions were at 102%!!!!! Can you even believe it, I am actually above average. So, in one year's time my lung functions have risen from about 24% to 102%, God is SO GOOD!!!

We were able to visit Cammi and her family for the last time in Pittsburgh, they will be heading home to California over the weekend. I will miss her terribly, but am so glad she is finally able to go home. And, we finally remembered to get some pictures together. We have gotten so caught up in our visits the last couple of trips that we totally forgot to get pictures, how frustrating!










I had my bronch yesterday morning and all went well. They did not have to do the ballooning, which was wonderful! So despite the fact that they used general anesthetic, we were on the road headed home by 11:30 giving me plenty of time to prepare for Hannah's theatre concert. I'll post some pictures of that later.



I got another wonderful piece of news yesterday, my friend Bill who recently had his double lung transplant was discharged from the hospital yesterday. What a Merry Christmas this will be for them! Please continue to pray for his recovery, he still has some issues they are trying to work out.

Finally, thank you all so much for your votes for the Wellsphere Health Blogger awards. As of last night my blog was in 5th place. The final results won't be released until Friday, but I certainly couldn't have moved into the top 10 without all of you! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

My parents fly in tomorrow, so I have lots to do. Hope you are getting your hearts ready for this most blessed season of all! Love you! Nancy

Health Blogger Award

Dear friends,

Today is the last day to vote for the Wellsphere Health Blogger awards. If you haven't voted yet, PLEASE take a moment and click on the vote for me link to the right, I would so appreciate your support!

We are headed to Pittsburgh today for another bronch. This one will be just like the last, they will use general anesthetic and intubate me so they can balloon the lung opening that has been closing up. As you know, I had some difficulties after the last one, so please pray that all goes well tomorrow!

Thank you all so much! Nancy

I wanted to share the card my sister-in-law gave me for my 1 year re-birthday:
" Just living is not enough said the bumblebee."

and her very insightful inner words:

"Last year you were just living. This year - you are Alive!

Make sure you aren't Just Living this year!

Hannah's Performance at Tops

Hannah's theater group performed at our local Tops today for Toys for Tots. They did an amazing job! I will post some video later. Hannah and I had a nice visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. What a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

Hannah & her cousin Jacinda

Hannah & her friends Haley & Anna