I know I'm 4 days late on the New Year stuff, but I've been reflecting lots...just haven't written it down.  Until now.

1.  First I want to tell you that for the first time in about 5 years or so, Kim and I STAYED UP to welcome 2016 in!  We did go out with our dear friends Tim & Brenda and Jeff & Peggy for supper on New Year's Eve.  Tim had had minor surgery on his forehead the day before, so he was a little self-conscious about his bandage and wanted to go somewhere he could wear a hat.  Which limited our restaurant choices drastically.

We ended up at Pete Duck's Inn, a glorified bar about a half hour away.  We'd never even heard of it, but enjoyed our meal there as the food is pretty good for a place like that.  Let's just say it wasn't, by any stretch of the imagination, a "high-brow" place.  But it was all about good times with wonderful friends, and we had fun!

Then we came back to the cabin for some rousing games of Farkle and Dominoes...finishing just in time to turn on the TV for the countdown to the ball dropping.  A few cheers and kisses, and we were all ready to hit the sack!  Old people like us can STILL have fun...we just can't stay up too late!

2.  For the first time in 36 years (before we were even married!), Kim (and me, by default) did not host his family for New Year's Day.  While we always enjoyed the day, it had gotten to the point where the next generation did not come much and he felt it had kinda run its course.  It gave our kids a chance to do their own thing on New Year's Day and also gave me a chance to leave up my Christmas tree and decorations for a couple more weeks!

3.  I'm a different person that I was a year ago.

In a good way, I hope.

God has certainly challenged me and taught me many lessons these past 7 months!  And while I would never choose this path I've been on, it's been a learning experience that I'm not sure I'd ever have had the opportunity for otherwise.  I'm forever changed, not only physically but also spiritually.  And that is priceless!

4.  After working from home the past 2 weeks, Kim went back to work today.  And while it was very nice having him home with me, I have to admit I'm enjoying the quiet, alone time by the fireplace for a little while this morning.

5.   One thing I've learned for sure is that none of us are promised tomorrow...or even today!  Life here on this earth is short.  DON'T WAIT to do things you really, really want or need to do!  

With that in mind, Kim and I gave each other for Christmas a safari trip to Botswana in September 2016!!!  We've got the Africa bug, and were so very disappointed that we had to cancel our trip to Nairobi in December.  (Update...I DID get our non-refundable airline tickets refunded!  I'm still amazed....)  So we decided to plan a safari in early September to Botswana (the country just north of South Africa) and then fly to Kenya to spend a week or so with our missionary friends Dave and Jen.

I'm a firm believer in having something to look forward to!  And Botswana definitely fits that description!!!

6.  Before we head to Africa, we're so LOOKING FORWARD to a week on Emerald Isle with our peeps in July.  I have to have my beach fix every now and then...add in our family, and it's a vacation that's hard to beat!

7.  And...before our July beach trip, we'll be having a new grandbaby in April!  Kyler and Kara have chosen not to find out the gender, which is a super-fun extra surprise!  

8.  And...before Grandbaby #8 arrives, we will be "going" (in spirit only, unfortunately!) with our church's mission team to Kenya for 2 weeks in late February.  I am so excited for them, and especially for Emily and Zach who are leading our team of 11.  It will be a life-changing experience for all of them!  And even though Kim and I aren't able to physically go, we'll be with them every minute...in our thoughts and prayers constantly!

9.  Two weeks from today, January 18, will be the first of my two surgeries, hopefully my final steps in this cancer journey.  I'm SO READY to be over this chapter of my life and get back to "normal"...I've kinda forgotten what "normal" is....

10.  God has great plans for all of us for 2016!  I can't wait to see what God has in store...

Happy 2016, my friends!

Just a few of my...

....reflections for the New Year!