A pain in the knee

So, as I posted earlier, I injured my knee, in a humiliating ice skating fall, where the little kids were zooming up to me on their ice skates asking if I was okay, and if I needed help. And all I could do was curse under my breath, and try not to scream, because it hurt so bad. So I eventually got up, left the ice, only to trip on the rubber flooring on my way to the locker. In any case, I was super happy to put my shoes on. So at the end of the day, I ended up with my own self-diagnosed (well with the help of the internet of course), MCL injury, with a possible PCL injury. It has been about 3 weeks, and I am just now able to extend my leg fully. Man, you really don't want to mess with the knee. The pic below shows the many forms of icing/heating and stabilizing braces I have been wearing for the last three weeks as well. Why not go to the doc? Well, from my research, the doc would need an MRI to tell me what I actually did, and with insurance, that MRI would cost over a thousand dollars! So, I am doing exactly what the internet says to do, and seem to be healing/progressing. So I plan to baby it for another 30 days, and then hopefully get back to running. I have been learning that I cannot rely solely on exercise for my release, and that God's word, and my time with him often get replaced with running. I also have been forced to focus on my diet more carefully, and practice some discipline and restraint there. So as frustrating as it has been to do a whole lot of nothing most of the time, it has taught me some valuable lessons about myself, and has given my hubby an appreciation for all that I do around the house!

Suprise family extravaganza!

The day begins with taking the girls ice skating for their first time :) This is the ambitious group who has not stepped on the ice yet!

Here is Annabelle having a fabulous time ice skating, with many falls and all, she loved it!

Chris and Annabelle skated for about 2 hours together!

So here are Ella and I, about 45 minutes in, off the ice, as I fell pretty badly on my knee, and Ella bumped her head on the ice. We became the official picture takers.

The girls of course chose McDonalds for lunch, and Ella found a very clever way to
hold her drink :)

And our last stop was the $3 movie theater to watch "Despicable Me". I was happy to put my leg up, and the girls laughed quite a bit. Great family movie! We ended the lovely day with pizza making and yet another movie (Toy Story 3), and then we put two very tired girls to bed :)

Rainy fun

We spent some time in downtown Portland, rain, cold and all, with Chris' dad and stepmom and sister. It was kinda crowded, and cold for us old people, but the girls had a BLAST, skipping down the street in puddles, walking with umbrella's, riding the MAX train, and being with their family! Oh how I need their perspective more in my life. Thank goodness it is a new year! :)

Christmas 2010

This Christmas was different for me than ever before. I hosted Christmas this year, and usually when I host, I am completely preoccupied with the details so as to make everyone's Christmas experience a relaxing and fun one, and in the process I lose perspective, and forget that Christmas is time for reflection on Christ's birth, not to mention end up using credit cards so that everything is just perfect! This year, I chose not to do that, and I just let everyone help out with the meal, and details, and it was such a joyful Christmas. Plus, I had my mom and dad and brothers here, we were definately missing my baby sister, but it is not that often that we all get together, and it was in my home. My dad's snoring and all....I wouldn't trade it for the world :-)

Ella and Uncle Ian (my younger brother)

Ella and Tata (Chris' sister)

The girls singing happy birthday to Jesus! A tradition from my childhood :)

My family at my church for Christmas Eve service

The whole family :) I love these people and feel extremely blessed!

decking the halls

I am really into the Christmas spirit this year, and am loving all the decor and music around me, thus had a pretty fun time sprucing up the house this year! We even put lights on the outside of our house this year...first time ever!

belle my ballerina!

Annabelle performed in a Christmas, end of the year, ballet performance last Sunday night. It was so much fun to see her out there, perfecting each move. She does everything she attempts so well, and I am incredibly proud to be her mama!

Partying like it's 1975!

Chris and I went to a friends 40th birthday party 70's style on Friday night, and had a whole lot of fun getting outfits together, and growing special facial hair, etc. Chris still has his mustache and sideburns. I did notice a few looks in the store the other day....although I will not worry unless he starts to drive a windowless van.