I’m finally back online! It took my husband hours yesterday to fix the problem, I’m blessed to have such a knowledgeable and patient husband. I was able to back up my computer because VAIO has a data recovery program, so I wasn’t too concerned with what he did. He was able (after much struggle) to restore my computer to four days ago. I complained to Angela that it wasn’t fair that I have cancer and no computer (I was quite pouty about it all day). Why take away both my health and computer? Kind of made me realize the computer might be a little bit of an idol 🙂
I hope you guys enjoy your Christmas and appreciate the time you have with family and friends, that you have plenty of good food and you get what you wanted for Christmas. This year we are having a less elaborate Christmas celebration, not because we are feeling less celebratory that the Prince of Peace was born, but because I’m still recovering from my recent operation. I wasn’t feeling up to going to church last night and my family stayed home with me, they didn’t want to leave me home alone on Christmas Eve.
Though I’m struggling this Christmas, I haven’t forgotten the reason for the season and to be thankful for the gift of God which is Christ the Lord, who came not as a king but a lowly baby born in a manager:

Luke 2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! It is the gift I’m going to appreciate the most today and the one that I’ll be clinging to this year.
Update: Just exchanged presents. This year we weren’t going to have much of a Christmas, my daughters gave up Christmas presents so they could get cell phones. I was going to buy them small, inexpensive gifts like a robe and nightie pants but when we found out the cancer had returned we decided to make this year the best Christmas ever and bought them something we knew they wanted (for the 13-year-old an official NFL Giants football jersey and for the 17-year-old a Lucky Brand pocketbook).
Next up: French Toast and bacon. Don’t you just love Christmas traditions?
Updated again: Well, so far this Christmas I’ve lost 2 rolls of wrapping paper, 3 gift cards and 2 packages of Lindt chocolate. I think that might be a record. Sarah reminded me of the one Christmas when I said to them, “Why aren’t you guys wearing your Survivor buffs?” and they replied excitedly, “What Survivor buffs? We have Survivor buffs?” So much for my big surprise that year. I blame it on the lack of sleep 🙂
Updated yet again: All gifts have been located! I’m so glad that no one is going to have to share a gift 🙂
Updated 9:18: So, I did get a gift even though I was feeling seriously non-materialistic this Christmas. I really don’t need or want anything (though, for awhile yesterday I thought I was going to need a new computer) and as I was walking around the mall thinking about the things I could get, I realized it didn’t make sense to buy gifts that I might not be here to enjoy. When I think of jewelry and electronics, I think long term, years of service. I’m not sure I’ll be using anything for years. I finally decided on a GPS so my daughter doesn’t get lost when she goes to the pizzeria (it’s easy enough to get there but the return trip is via back roads and it’s easy to get lost). My husband got me the Tom Tom 125