An Alabama December

Since the kids have been out for Christmas break it seems that my work schedule has been crazy hectic. I am still trying to get my 40 hours in, but it is hard. Really hard, like getting up at 6:30 to be at work by 7:15 hard. I have been trying to go in early (so the kids don't bother anyone) and then we leave after a few hours and then we go back and Nate takes the kids home while I stay at work. Bleh, I hate not being able to spend time with them....like I use to. Well, yesterday I had an appointment in Cullman so work was cut short. We came home after and Ali and I made chocolate chip cookies...the old fashioned way. The house was smelling so good. Last night after work I went to the store to pick up a few things. I decided to get some chicken salad. We get our chicken salad from one place only. They use their rotisserie chicken and use big chunks. We call this "Chicken Crack" because it's so good. I came home and packed a bag with wraps, chicken crack an avocado, lettuce and a tomato. I put in the cookies we made and had everything ready for a picnic. Only in Alabama can you get 65 degree weather in December. The whole family was excited about having a picnic for lunch. Nate kept asking about it all morning. At lunch we went to the park and had our picnic. Afterwards we played tennis (if that's what you want to call it) for about 20 minutes....I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. It was a hoot! This was the best thing for my mood lately. Sun, family and warm weather...really that's all I really need. The cold and dreary days have gotten to me lately. It's funny how God can give me a day like this when I am just ready to give up. It was like I told God "I am at my breaking point, I'm not sure how much more stress I can take" and he answers with "Dani, here is a warm, sunny day...go be with your family" and I know that I can take whatever comes my way. It's like when you watch a marathon and you see a runner and you know they are hurting, thirsty, can't go on; then they get to the Gatorade stand and they feel/look refreshed and can go on to finish the race. Well, I've hit my Gatorade stand...I'm ready.