Merry Christmas To You

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Today I'm going to share with you my Christmas letter that went out in my Christmas cards this year.(if you got a card from me, without a letter...this is why...I figured I would save paper and you could read it here)

Dear Friends,

I hope this Christmas card finds you and your family happy and healthy this holiday season. It seems as though I have so much to share with you but so little space on the page. I will do my best to fill you in on what I have been up to since last year.

I am happy to report that I am doing well. A few weeks ago while at the mall I ran into somebody that I had not seen since Shawn's funeral. She asked me how I was doing and for the first time since Shawn's death I was able to reply with , "I'm doing good." Instead of, "I'm doing okay." Don't get me wrong I've had many good days and good stretches of days this past year, but it really hasn't been until the last few months that I have really started to feel "good" again. I still miss Shawn more than anything and wish every single day that he was here with me. However, the happiness is starting to return to my life. Little things are making me smile and laugh once again. I'm also making new memories for myself as I'm living my "new life." I'm learning more and more about myself every single day. During the last 16 months I've learned that I'm a much stronger person that I ever thought possible. That strength is something that Shawn instilled in me and I'm grateful for that gift that he gave me. I'm also starting to once again look forward to my future instead of dreading it.

In April I realized that I was starting to get "bored" sitting at home, but also knew I wasn't ready to return to work. Instead I decided to hit the gym. I have been working out around three to five days a week. I have found that I really enjoy working out. Yes, I said...love to work out! If I miss more than a day or two in a row I'm finding I really don't like how I feel. Working out has been a huge stress relief for me, not to mention what it has done for my energy. I'm probably in the best shape of my entire life and that feels good! I'm also strongly considering going back to school next fall for either personal training or massage therapy. That's how good working out makes me feel. I think it would be amazing to share that with somebody else! Shawn always wanted me to either become a trainer or a massage therapist. So I figured that would be a great way to honor him as well. I will keep you posted on what path I choose. Who knows, maybe I will decide on both!

I have not yet returned to "work" I've looked, there just aren't any jobs. In July I started babysitting for a friend. It was only going to be one day a week, but has turned into around three. For right now it's a good fit and it's working rather well for me. As you know I love being around kids so it has been fun getting to be around children once again.

My dog Bo is awesome. I've said before that I really do love him more than I should. He has been a great distraction and form of support to me. Bo however has a TON of allergies. (I swear only I would get a dog with major allergy problems!) We have been to the vet every four weeks since May! They can't find out what he is allergic to because he has been on to many different types of allergy medicine. Currently, I'm making his dog food and that seems to be helping. (Yes, I said making his dog food...as in from scratch) Hopefully within the next few weeks we can get the testing done and find out what the little guy is allergic to.

Okay, I'm running out of room and I'm sure you are all bored to tears reading all this. Thank you for your continued support and love throughout this last year. It has been the hardest 16 months of my life...but I'm going to make it.

Love,

Jenny

Remember last year when I did a UofM tree in honor of Shawn? Well, I've decided to make this a new tradition and did one again this year.

I was soooo happy when I found this ornament. It is a UofM hat. Shawn never went anywhere without a hat on his head, especially one of his many UofM hat's. So when I found it I grabbed it as fast as I could.

Here is the tree all decorated. It has a few blue snowflakes on it, but it is mainly decorated in UofM balls, candy canes, the helmet, several block M's and of course the new Hat. We were even able to find UofM garland to wrap around the tree. It has clear and yellow lights. (The blue and gold lights was just plain ugly!) I think it turned out great and I know Shawn would love it!!