One hell of a year already!

Really?

I've learned not to question certain things, first and foremost God's plan for me and my loved ones.

And then just roll with it baby....

The first 2 weeks of 2011 have been interesting and challenging to say the very least.

New Year's eve and day were in 'stand by' mode as we waited to hear whether my sister would be coming home from the hospital. We had multiple plans in place to ring in the new year together.
If she came home New Year's Eve, we'd go through as scheduled with our potato dumpling and sauerkraut feast....if she came home before noon New Year's day, we'd try dumplings and sauerkraut....if she came home after noon, we'd gather at Auntie's so we were together and have an alternate dinner.....and if she did not come home New Year's day, we'd go visit her and then still share a meal of some kind together!

Whew! I'm exhausted just reliving that scenario.

My sister wound up coming home New Year's night. We cooked up a hodge podge meal for the rest of us....as she was still not too keen on real food, especially the ethnic food we prepared. While Janice slept, since no one can sleep in the hospital, we carried on and welcomed in the new year together as one big happy family! It was actually an awesome evening.

We also celebrated my youngest niece's birthday....

I can not even believe all the food we prepared and the desserts. Oh, the desserts.

I'm convinced since New Year's resolutions usually do not begin on New Year's day, they are snakebit from the getgo....but it's always ambitious to have goals and set your sights high.

The funniest thing of all is the next day, my sister asked my aunt why we did not save her any dumplings? Trust me. When we wind up making 35 pounds of potatoes, we normally have leftovers, even if for a meal or two!

We've been playing tug-of-war about how many potatoes to make. My youngest niece and I always want to make at least 40 pounds. You can never have too many potato dumplings with sauerkraut and pork, especially since they taste so much better the next day and the day after that...

But, the insanity did not end here.

I overruled myself and wound up going to the Browns-Steelers game. Normally, when it's extremely cold and snowy, I opt for warmer Browns' watching surroundings. Not only was the game over before it began, the weather was typical football weather chasing me home during the 3rd quarter.

As my sister recuperated, she had a minor setback and wound up having another emergency surgery the following weekend. Really?

Though my sister had a rigorous doctor agenda this week, things are gradually settling down.

Finally, the day is here. New Year's dinner round #2 is upon us. The 'real' feast with 35 pounds of potatoes, sauerkraut, and pork. Whew hoo. It's an assembly line. Each person has their own necessary job. I usually wind up with flour in my hair, and everywhere really.

Next year, I think we must re-think my job. I was in charge of grinding the potatoes and 1/2 the time forgot to put the blade in after pouring the potatoes into the cheese cloth. It made for much laughter and happiness!

It takes a little while to re-acquaint ourselves with our assembly line, but we got it going and cranked them out....

Then we teased everyone. Auntie, Sara, and I went to church so everyone had to wait...and wait...and wait!

Finally, the moment had arrived. Our long awaited, postponed traditional New Year's celebration. Well worth the wait. And as usual, wonderful quality family time to kick off the new year. God is good.

Just have to keep saying 'everything happens for a reason....' and 'God knows what he is doing.'

So in the midst of one of the coldest winters on record, many challenges surround us from all sides already....

As Mom always said, we are survivors. God won't toss anything our way we can not handle. I believe.