Now that the weather has finally turned cold and it has snowed, it truly feels like Christmas time and time to send out that traditional message to all our family and friends.
First off, we hope this finds all of you in good health and doing well as can be financially. We have been able to maintain our household even with the decline in income due to David's job loss. It did take totally wiping out our retirement fund from the State of Colorado to pay all our bills in full and become financially solvent. We didn't have much choice in taking the payout, it was either take the payout or go completely so far in debt we wouldn't be able to get out for many years. We were also facing losing our apartment due to the inablility to pay the rent. Not only did we pay all our bills, but we were able to put quite a bit of the money back into an IRA to begin building our retirement again.
If you have kept up with my blogs at all, you know David is doing so well since his bi-lateral hip replacement surgeries. The doctors have told us they have not seen such a fast recovery in a very long time. He will not have to see the doctors again until January 2008. Hopefully by that time he will have a new job and the increase we have been waiting for from the Veteran's Administration.
James is still struggling in English at college but has plans to take some makeup classes here in Trinidad this summer while he is working and going to school to get his certification as a Nursing Assistant. He is due home for Christmas on Friday, December 14, so please be praying for good weather so this Mom will not worry too much about the 4-5 hour drive. He says he is so ready for a month long break and then should be ready to dive back into studies and get his grades up.
Elizabeth has been studying hard every free minute she has when she is not working. She is planning on taking the ACT test in April when all the Juniors are scheduled to take it. She wants to go to college to be a pediatrician and I believe she will obtain her goal. She continues to do well in band, she is 2nd chair for their concert tonight.
Ben is having some problems with staying organized and keeping up with school work. We have had a long talk and hopefully things will improve and the grades will come back up to the level we know he can obtain. He is doing very well in band also. Both of them received bronze medals from their band director and the Colorado Band Master Association, along with all the kids in the band. The kids placed 3rd in State Competition in October, up one place from last year. Now it is on to Washington, DC in July to represent all of Southern Colorado in the National Independence Day Parade.
I have not had a lot of time to rest and relax or think about myself much with taking care of the kids, house and my husband. However, things are starting to get back to normal and I should be able to concentrate on what I want to do. I am still working online at home every morning, only now I have 4 different credit card accounts to work one. I am now a CSR for Walmart in store credit cards, Walmart Discover, Sam's Club in store, and Sam's Club Discover accounts. No more pay just more work but it is still very interesting. I hope one day to get promoted to a Coach for other agents, but the requirements are tough so I will have to work hard.
We are so thankful for all our family and friends but most especially this time of year you are all on our minds. Please be assurred we pray for you all everytime we say a prayer. We think of all of you often and wish you great health and success. Thank you all for praying for us and keeping us in your thoughts. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
