Christmas was amazing as usual. I cannot love it any more than I do. The kids had so much fun! We all did. It was great watching Josiah open his gifts and playing with their new toys. Through having LAM I do have such an appreciation for the moments like that. Every holiday means the world to me. And we just enjoyed every minute of it.
And Jay…he did everything he could to make it so special for me. I don’t think that I could love him more than I do. Truly, a marriage that is blessed by God is the most wonderful thing that you could have. Now, there is no doubt that we have a lot (AND I MEAN A LOT) of spiritual growth and prayer life to attain together. But, our mutual desire for God is there, and it makes our marriage special and holy. The fact that every day we have fun together. The fact that we say that we love each other over 20 times a day. The fact that we are always on the same page with our children. The fact that we have the same views on family and a great mutual love and respect for each other. These are all very good things. On New Years Eve, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary of being together, and this June will be our 7 year wedding anniversary. How lucky am I?? VERY.
And then, for New Years, we went up to Grizzly Jacks with our friends. We had a great time! They have an indoor water park and an indoor amusement park. We stayed at a cute villa that was HUGE!! It was really relaxing and a great time for us all.
Other than that, we went through a streak of illness in our house. This involved Jay first going to Florida for work, so I was all alone with the kids which is very difficult for me at times. Okay, so a lot of the times. But, I do my best. The VERY NEXT DAY, I woke up and both Josiah and I had a severe flu or food poisoning. This lasted 2 days. Then, the next morning, I woke up and Josiah was a little cranky. Then, all of a sudden, he was on the floor in excruciating pain unable to move his leg. I thought he broke it!! I could barely get him dressed or anything. I called my Father In Law who came and took him to the ER with me. I ended up spending most of that week in the hospital with Josiah. We think that he had gotten a pretty bad strept infection that ended up getting into his joints and caused a horrible infection. After his 4th day in the hospital he could start hobbling around again, and was more of himself. This was good. He was on high levels of anti-biotics, but they sure helped him out! Then, the last 3 days he was in the hospital, I went to the doctor b/c I hadn’t felt well at all. I had a horrible sore throat and my head was always in pain. I had strept (and I think I had had it for about a month) and I also had 2 leaking ear infections. Great, huh?? So, that last night that Jay came home from Florida and he stayed in the hospital and I went home until I wasn’t contagious anymore.
At the end of February, I have my next appointment in Ohio to test my lungs and see if I have gotten any worse. I am praying for God’s will in this, and that I am still stabilized.
NOW WE ARE ALL HEALTHY. And I am looking forward to a new and happy year. I am working on my prayer life along with my husband and am hoping for many graces in the new year.
Blessings to all. XOXOXOXXOXOXXOXOXO
Melanie Putnam 
Hey Melanie….I know you do not know me, but I feel like I know you so well. I am Mr. Jim Coryell’s personal trainer and boy does he think the world of you! He has told me how much of an AMAZING person you are and how your personality just lights up a room. I just want you to know that I pray God blesses you BEYOND belief and because of Mr. Jim, you have alot of people constantly thinking of you even when you don’t even know it. I hope your weekend is absolutely fantastic. ~Carrie Miller
Carrie, that is so nice of you. Thank you so much! Jim is such a great guy, and what a great support he is!! I am so blessed to have so many good friends in all of this. So, thank YOU for the nice comments. You take care, and keep in touch with me!!