My Christmas Letter

This Christmas season has been a busy one so far and I don't see it getting lighter anytime soon so I have decided to blog my Christmas letter. People will get cards, hopefully everyone since I don't have everyone's addresses, but they won't include a letter. So this year's Christmas letter will be a Christmas blog. Enjoy!


To my Family, Friends and Readers,


This year is quickly coming to a close. It's been a busy year and I have a lot to report. As most of you know, I was accepted into the Graduate program for Library and Information Science at Long Island University, CW Post, at the beginning of the year. Since then, Bill and I have relocated. Before the relocation however, a lot happened.


I helped plan my sister Kristin's wedding and it went great! Kristin and Jason were married on June 4th and the wedding went smoother than I could have hoped. I spent the months before the move planning and going to doctors. I saw a brain specialist, pain specialists, chiropractor and more for months. I finally was cleared to go to New York after months of procedures and shots. I still see a chiropractor and have pain daily but I'm learning to live with it and things are getting better.

Me, Dad, Kristin, Mom and Sarah at the wedding.

The happy couple.

The Happy couple and

my two nephews, Gabe and Addison.

Also in June, we added a new member to our family: Oscar! He is a happy little Corgi and is already 8 months old. Time has flown by! He is happily roaming around the apartment looking for fallen food as I speak.

Oscar with his giant cookie!

In July, mom and dad packed us up and we left Colorado for New York, stopping along the way in Iowa to see family. It was great seeing everyone and I miss them already! We got to New York in August and moved into our apartment. Dad and mom carted the U-Haul as we made our way across the country. I'm so grateful they were there to help! 

Camping with the family on the way to New York.

Grandpa was the only one who noticed the camera.

Me, my cousin Megan and Bill.

Bill and I at the Field of Dreams.

We stopped there on our way to New York.

In August I started working for the first time in almost two years. It's been difficult to work through the pain but I am getting more used to it every day. Working retail around the holidays has been interesting (see the blog posts on it) but it's great to be working again.


In September, Bill and I celebrated one year of dating (we celebrated one year of knowing each other in July). We are very happy and I can't imagine my life without him by my side. He has made life so much better since my accident and he reminds me every day how lucky I truly am.

Bill and me at the zoo.

Bill and me at my first Jets training camp.

(Broncos are still my number 1 team!)

Also in September, I officially started Grad school. This semester has been long but it's been great to be back in the classroom. I've had to do some adjusting in my studying because of my brain but it is worth it. I am just glad I haven't had tests yet because my memory still isn't the best. The semester is almost done and I can't wait for next semester when I get to actually take some classes geared toward my future profession: Children's Librarian. I have one more paper to write and then I am on my way.


In November, I decided to do some big things concerning my writing career. First, I self-published an ebook, a short story, with the help of my editor, Kortnee. "Trapped" is now available for purchase and has recently been re-priced at $0.99. (I am still playing with prices to see what works). I also participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and finished a novel in 23 days. It is currently being edited by me before I send it to my editor. I'm also working on a short story to release for December. The goal is to release one a month. I'm also having one of my children's books illustrated to put on Nook. I'll be keeping everyone updated on my blog.

Now we are in December and things are finally starting to die down after a rush of homework. I'm working a lot because Christmas is rapidly approaching. I'm enjoying all the Christmas lights that are going up and hope to get my tree up this weekend. I also hope to get my cards out, presents wrapped and last school paper done. Maybe I'll find time to see the tree at Rockefeller Center since I've never been there...if not, there is always next year. It will be a busy month but it will be worth it. This will be my first Christmas without my family and I miss everyone terribly but I will be home in January to visit! I can't wait to see everyone! 


I guess that sums up the year. I hope everyone follows my progress on here concerning my writing and everything else in life. Thank you to my family and friends for their love and constant support and thank you to my readers for following me through this year.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Jilly

Happy Holidays from our house

to yours!