A Year In Review...With Pictures!

Peaceful Moments

Well, I finally checked everybody's blogs today. I had been so busy I didn't have time to check any... I barely made the time to write mine!!


It sounds like everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I have enjoyed reading what you were doing.


I enjoyed the past several days very much!! This Christmas I can just feel the peace. (you know..after I went crazy and then talked to God!) I have enjoyed time to just read my Bible, read a good book and get a couple things done in my regular routine.

As I looked over the Lego and Playmobile pieces that the kids were still playing with on Christmas day and yesterday, I just sat on the couch enjoying the memory of Christmas. It wasn't really the gifts I got (but Jim did a WONDERFUL job with them and with very little help from me), but it was all it represented. I realize that God has given us a great gift... our family still together. It is amazing to me that Christmas of '01 was so close to being our last one together. God has given us so much to be thankful for.

As I was sitting there yesterday, I asked God to help me focus on this time. Of course, all year long I realize what Jesus did for me personally, that God saved our marriage, and has given us so much to be thankful for. I also know that I have to stay focused on Him. Today I am alone. The house is completely quiet. I am enjoying the moments of quiet. It is easy to focus on God at times like this. Why am I tell you all this? I don't know. I realize how quickly I can take my eyes off of our Lord. I guess this is a post to remind myself to remember and just take time to stop, think and be thankful all year long.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day like we did! We started with reading Luke 2, opened our gifts, had snacks and a WONDERFUL meal completely cooked by Jim!!! (he even cleaned it up)Jim gave me the best gifts: A basket of massage oils, "coupons" he created, and lotions!, a nail care kit, movie, and candles. Kyle got mainly Legos, one of his favorite things and Beth got a mix of horses and a stable and Playmobil. Jim got a big pot, gift cards, white shirts and ties.

Family Christmas Party

Last night was my family Christmas Party and it was really fun! We all enjoyed a wonderful afternoon and evening at my sister's home. The kids eat and open their gifts and they go off to play, and then we eat and open our gifts.

This is my sister's husband. He dresses up every year for the kids and gives them gives. Kyle and Beth and two of the cousins got Nerf guns, which of course they LOVED!!
The kids table!
My gift to my sister. There are three snowmen "holding" up the platter.
This is an "already filled up" picture frame from me to my sister. She is really bad about getting picture out, so I took several pictures from years ago when her daughter was about 3 up to a couple years ago and filled it up for her. She loved this.

Non-Stop

www.clipartheaven.com

That pretty much has been my life for the past couple of days, with the exception of a few hours today. I have all the Christmas shopping done and the gifts are wrapped for my family party which is tomorrow! I can't believe it is here already!! I have more wrapping to do for some friends and I haven't done any of the wrapping for Jim and the kids. I am just doing the next thing, and that doesn't have to be done until Monday. I keep thinking about what Julie said about having peace and the post I did recently http://menmythree.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-email-but-worth-it.html and it was a challenge on Wednesday (when I spent lots of time shopping and finding very little) and on Wednesday night and Thursday morning I prayed and asked God to help me stay focused on the reason I am doing what I am doing and to get everything finished. I am sure I don't need to tell you, but I will... He answered me and has been doing that very thing. Actually, I have been noticing people at the stores and praying for them. As I walked out of Target tonight I saw a man, maybe in his 40's or 50's pushing the cart, limping, and holding his cane and at Wal-Mart tonight the poor man that was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army was coughing so bad he couldn't even say Hi or Merry Christmas to most of the people that passed by. I, in my rush on Wednesday, didn't notice any of those people, but after spending time with God, it was so easy to see and thank Him for what he has given me: health, family, money, and so much more.

So, in my non-stop crazy life for the past couple of days, it has been really great to see God working in my life.


May God bless you this Christmas!

Time With Conner

Today we got to watch Conner for a couple of hours. You know how his Grandma is always telling us how good he is... well, it is SO true!! He was so happy and interested in everything. He listen so well when we told him "no". Jeremy and Sabrina are doing a great job with training him. Here are lots of pictures from our day!!

He is playing with colored noodles. It is really easy to make: use any type of noodles, fill a large container with rubbing alcohol and food coloring, let soak for hours and then dry. Lots of fun and good for feeling all kinds of textures, and it is inexpensive.

I think Pastor will like this!!! (Daddy too)

No, Kyle did not shoot him.

Guilty As Charged!

Today we "kidnapped" Jayne, Ryan, and Bradley!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, it was a great day. We showed up on their doorstop about 8am and we let her know that we were going to steal her and Skyla and Tabitha were going to be there a little after 9 and we would be off. We went to the Pilcher Park Horticultural Center, the Nature Center, and then off to McDonalds (with a playplace). We were gone for about 4 hours and it was a blast!!!

I decided last week that she needed to be "kidnapped" just to have some fun with the boys. Now, don't get the wrong idea, I love her 3 new additions to the family, but I knew Jayne needed a day off. In a couple weeks I think we are gonna go to the Exploration Station...not a kidnapping at that time!

A Wonderful Party

I am sure that when I say that we had a wonderful time at Pastor and Julie's house that no one is surprised. It is always a blessing to be with them and the party was not any different. We enjoyed a time of fellowship, games, and lots of good food!!

This is Pastor attempting to get us to say, "Away In A Manger" during the charades.

First Word..... The men were very serious with this game... very competitive LOL

Jeremy being positive the men were first to respond... a much appreciated re-enactment, because my first one came out blurry :) (you have to love digital pictures!)

One of the many "prized" gifts from the White Elephant Gift Exchange... this is a paper towel dispenser with a crank handle!!!

And of course, our wonderful host and hostess!! What a blessing they are to us!!

Thank you for coming to Lockport and serving all the time!!!

Another Email, but worth it....

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.


She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.


Finally, the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."


From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.


Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.


How true this can be. I remember many Christmas' spent being stressed out rather than realizing the truth. Of course, if you don't know Jesus, you certainly can't have His peace and understand the TRUE meaning of this season!!

A Wonderful Day.

Today we enjoyed a play at Drury Lane Theatre, A Christmas Carol, and had a wonderful time. After that we did a couple of errands and then stopped by Jayne's. The kids stayed there for a couple hours and then Jeff and Jayne's brought them home with C.C. She was so good tonight. I love watching that little girl!!

God's Boxes

I was "cleaning" my computer today and found this....seemed like a good reminder, so I wanted to share it.

God's Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes,

Which God gave me to hold.

He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,

And all your joys in the gold".

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,

Both my joys and sorrows I stored.

But though the gold became heavier each day.

The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black,

I wanted to find out why,

And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,

Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused,

"I wonder where my sorrows could be!"

He smiled a gentle smile and said,

"My child, they're all here with me."

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,

Why the gold and the black with the hole?

"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,

The black is for you to let go."

Sledding!!

Tonight for our Family Night we went sledding and it was so much fun. We were out for about 1 hour and only had a few "tip overs" the entire time. It is so nice that we get to enjoy an evening together each week.

Christmas Coffee and Cookie Exchange

Of course, it was a BLAST at the Christmas Coffee and Cookie Exchange this year!! I had a wonderful time watching everyone play the song game... Ireally didn't think it would be that hard!

Mrs. L's talk was wonderful! I really enjoyed spending time with all three of those ladies.

I will try to post some pictures later.. but I have been having issues with that still, so I will see how it goes.

A Different Christmas Poem

My sister sent me this email, so I thought I would take the time to post it. They give so much. May God bless all our soldiers.

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... An American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right".

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Hand Pictures

I know that this is probably not new to everyone, but I just think these are really amazing, so I decided to post them. I wish I could give credit to the artist, but I don't know who it is.