Hello, friends!

I know I've been MIA for the past week. Please forgive me.  I caught my first emergency-room-induced illness. After visiting with my doctor on Tuesday he said, "I'm treating this like the flu, no matter what the test results say." Then he asked, "Have you possibly been around anyone who's sick??" I couldn't help but laugh. "You could say that," I told him. I explained that I work in an ER, and he nodded, knowingly, and suggested that I stay home for at least two or three more days.

By the end of the week I felt more like myself and was able to go back to work just in time to prepare Christmas gifts for all the patients to open on Christmas morning. Knowing how special that moment will be for the families who have to spend Christmas in the hospital makes every tough day at work worth it. 

Brandon and I made it to Yoakum yesterday in time to ride to Katy with my family for our Frerich family Christmas. We spent the day telling stories and playing Chinese Christmas, and we left with memories that kept us laughing until we fell asleep last night.

The next few days will be spent with family and friends, and it feels so good to be surrounded by our loved ones.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your heart is filled to the brim with joy, just like mine.