resolution

I had the best intentions to post a detailed summary, but now I think highlights is all that is needed...after all, it's 2000 freakin 8 now!

We met up with my siblings at my oldest sister's house the Friday before Xmas. My parents are still overseas doing mission work. They were truly missed. We all went sledding in the foggy darkness. I haven't done it since I was little. It was so much fun. Roan absolutely loved it! My heart skipped a few times seeing him go down the hill by his little lonesome, but Choua was close by...running. It's moments like this that make me feel so warm and happy inside. I'm sure a big darn smile is planted on my face too. I'll post pictures up, I promise...the fog was amazing!

My siblings and I (except Paul) spent Xmas Eve Eve at the airport. The weather was bad so we wanted to make sure we saw our littlest sister off to her new hometown. We just sat around, drinking hot chocolate on the floor and chatting and laughing until she finally had to board her plane.

My sisters and me:

The siblings, spouses (except my SIL, Phoua,--she's 9 months preggo and couldn't make the long trip), and grandchildren.

I couldn't resist including this picture. After opening presents on Xmas morning. My littlest niece, Aleah, wanted to put on my next littlest niece, Ayden's, new fancy straight from the Hmong flea market sandals on. Look at her sassy stance.


It looks really bad because I didn't take many more pictures after we left my siblings. There was too much random sickness afterwards though.

We headed to the Dells to meet Choua's family at the Kalahari. It was sweet! I saw a movie with my in-laws and Choua and I made Xmas dinner. It takes a long time to make a big and varied dinner, when you only have a few pots and pans to use.

Next, we headed up to the Twin Cities and just lounged until we took Roan to the ER due to "something he caught from the Dells" said the ER Pediatrician. On the day we were to return, Choua got sick so I drove and didn't realize we had lost power steering. I'm dumb...I hardly drive his car and I just thought that maybe his car was more physical than mine. Plus, on the interstate, you don't turn much so I didn't really notice it until we stopped for gas.

Needles to say, we had to spend the night in Rockford. We risked it the next day because apparently no rental cars or car mechanics are open in Rockford on New Year's day. We were about 15 miles from our house, when the car finally died. We had it towed and Roan liked riding on my my lap in the big truck.

It was such a wonderful time even though we didn't go anywhere warm or did anything exceptional. It was one of my favorite holiday season ever. I feel like I got my family back. I feel hopeful and happy. I also got the opportunity to get closer to Choua's family and that is really important to me.

I don't really do NY resolutions, but I feel like this is going to be a wonderful year, personally and professionally. I can't wait to start living again.