And we're back!!!

Wow! The past couple of weeks have gone by so fast!

First, we went to Puerto Vallarta. We had some travel delays along the way, but we made it right before sunset. We had a blast in Mexico and Ainsley loved it. Hearing her speak Spanish was the cutest thing ever! This trip was much more cultural than any of the others and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.

Here are pics from the trip.

This was the first time Austin, Ains and I have been somewhere together. And even though the 2 of them kicked me out of the king sized bed and I slept on the couch, I loved the special time the three of us had together. Ainsley was so happy!! It's wonderful to see how much the bond between Austin and Ainsley strengthens.

I got a sore throat in Mexico, but did not let it bother me. I suspected it was strep, but since I rarely get strep, assumed it was a cold. On the way home I developed a horrible itchy rash. I went to the doc on the 24th and my strep swab (which I hate! No, really, poke me with a thousand needles, just don't swab my throat) came back negative and I was told it was viral.

A few hours later, Ains and I get a violent stomach bug. I end up in the hospital, Ains is with my mom puking and opening up Santa gifts in between puking. :) We find out that the rest of the family (minus Linley) that we traveled with got the same bug... It multiplies like crazy. All of Ainsley's dad's family gets it.. It was rotten.

That was Christmas Day. I go back to the doc the after Christmas and he tells me he sent my blood off and it is strep. Austin is feeling pretty crappy by this point, too.

I went back to work today, still feeling icky and feverish. My stomach is finally back to normal, but I feel like I have the flu. This happened last year when I got back from Mexico and I'm just so frustrated. I do not think I have ever spent so much time praying for mercy.

My goal for 2009 is to do whatever it takes to remain as healthy as possible. I cannot take anymore of these illnesses. A simple case of strep brings complete havoc to my body and it frustrates me to no end.

I felt so bad that my mom spent so much time preparing a "perfect" Christmas, with Santa, and a yummy lunch and I didn't even see her on Christmas.

BUT WAIT! Something good did come of all this. My husband has shown me more grace than I could ever deserve. He's had a hard time with the sympathy/mercy things in our marriage, but he took amazing care of me. He was my answered prayer during all of this, especially when he held me in the hospital when I began crying at 7am, realizing that I was going to miss Ainsley opening her Santa gifts and I would not have another chance to see her do that for 2 years. He has an amazing way of picking up my pieces and putting them back together. I love you, Austin!!

If I could ask for one prayer it would be for health into the New Year. I started the past 2 years off pretty sick and I just want to start off well.

Happy New Year!