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.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Today Beth and I went to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular which was at the Rosemont Theatre! We were given the tickets for FREE!! We really enjoyed the different scenes; there were twelve altogether. The last scene is "The Nativity" and I thought it was done very well. The narrator said the "solitary life" that Jeremy used for the Spring Conference. Our favorite part was the scene with the Rockettes as wooden soldiers. I looked on YouTube and of course, someone has a small part of it on there... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSgmUin9vJw We purchased an ornament with the wooden soldiers so we would have something to remember the day many years from now.

Horse-opoly

Beth is feeling better today. She has had just a little pain in her right ear still, but has been acting normal with 2 doses of Motrin. After I got all the sheets washed we played a game of Horse-opoly this afternoon (She really wanted this game and got this with her birthday money also). Same group that made Dog-opoly, but obviously this time with horse. I have to say, as silly as this is, Dog is better than Horse. And, why you might ask? It all has to do with the cards that show you own the animal!! I know. It is so silly. I didn't say anything to Beth, but I was thinking that is wasn't as fun and then she said it! It is just because the dogs are "cute" and you see the little thing on your card... well, it is all very silly like I said. I won the game again, but I am trying to teach her how to build up her spaces. By all rights, she really should have won, but she wasn't putting the "bales of hay" on her spaces. I only had one set of horse that I could build on (which of course I did ASAP), but it was enough to win. Jim will be home in a few minutes, so I am going to get a couple more things done before that. Have a good night.

Update

Well, as I knew the doctor wasn't in and the doctor on call was going to get in at 9 and with an HMO we have to see the doctor assigned, so after trying to make a few phone calls about it.. insurance company and the quick clinic, we ended up at the ER. So, she has a nasty ear infection as if that is a surprise! I told her she needs to coordinate her illness with the doctor's hours, but she obviously didn't listen...

She had pain medicine and her antibiotic and is doing fine right now. She really has had little pain since around 9:15 or so and the only thing she had that point were your prayers, so I know that they were a huge help! Thank you.

I hope that the two of us will be off to dream land (or at least one of us...ME) soon because I am beat!

Thank you again for your prayers; we really appreciate them. It is awesome seeing God work.

To All You Early Birds...

Beth woke up at 3:30 complaining of ear pain and has been asleep for all of an hour or so since then. I gave her oral pain medicine and some pain medicine that can go in her ear. Please pray for the pain to decrease...so far we haven't had much luck. Also, our doctor is not usually in on Wednesday, so pray that we can get a hold of him and not have to make a trip to the ER. THANKS!

A Busy Day

Today I went to see my doctor and both my test came back normal, which is a big blessing! He wants to do one more test which will be sometime within the next month I guess.... it has to be done as an out-pt in the hospital, so I will see when they call.

Since I was out I took the time to do a little shopping at Walmart and Aldi...the holiday on Thursday messed up my usual time for shopping, but I don't mind. I found a few things for Christmas already! We are doing things differently with my family this year as far as gift giving goes, so we are buying something small for different people...ladies for ladies and men for men. I really think it will be nice doing it this way...at least I hope so :).

After I got home, Kyle and I did some MORE raking!! I tell ya, this is when I realize that our yard is just way too big!!! I honestly couldn't say how much time we all have spent out there raking this year, but I know it was a lot... and so does my getting older body.

Tonight for "Family Night" we had chicken from Walmart which is good tasting and a good price. We also played "Dog-opoly". It is just like Monopoly (not made by them) but you buy dogs rather than streets and doghouses and big bones rather than houses and hotels. Beth got it with the money she got for her birthday and she has played it 5 times already! It really is a shame she doesn't like it!! :) Tonight however, I LOVED it. I WON!! Now you have to understand, me winning a game like that hardly ever happens. Have you ever played with someone who wins almost every game, every time you play....Jim is that person in this family.

Well, I am off to bed finally. Have a great night.

Yesterday was great! We had 22 people at my brother in law and sister's house, which is not something that has happened on Thanksgiving in... I don't know if all of us have gotten together on Thanksgiving since we were kids. We had such wonderful food...and way too much of it. Barb (my sister) decorated the tables beautifully that I couldn't help think how lovely Julie would have thought it was and I appreciated it more than I normally would. Attention to details and fancy stuff is not my thing. I have some wonderful pictures, however I am having problems with the file....hence the fact there is no post yesterday and no pictures today. If I can solve the issue, I will get some on here.


Today Beth and I got to have lunch with Mom and Jim(her husband). After lunch Jim went to go see his family that just moved to the Joliet area and my Mom got to stay here. We played a couple of games, which my Mom is not a real big fan of, and that is one of the things I love about my Mom. Whenever she is able to be here, she plays games with us and it is just so fun. For the next few times we play that game, the kids say stuff like, "Do you remember when Grandma.....". I am very thankful that we all get the opportunity to have this precious time together. With them living so far away, we don't get much chance to do these types of things, but we certainly have good memories of our times together!

Basically we had a wonderful couple of days and I feel very blessed that we could share this time with my family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Of course, this is a day to remember and be thankful, so I have a little list of things I am thankful for:

God

Jesus

Bible

Heaven

Jim

Kyle

Beth

Mom

House

Church

Pastor and Julie

Friends

Soldiers

The ability to think and learn

Love

Mercy

Forgiveness

Mistakes (because we learn more from them)

There are so many things I could write, but as I said, it is just a little list. We have been giving so much in this country by God, something I know I take for granted too often, but today is a wonderful day to stop and say THANK YOU.

Thank you God for your provision

Thank you to all the soldiers who are serving now or served in the past.

Thank you to my family

Thank you to my church

Thank you to my friends

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Hospitality Appreciation Dinner

The Hospitality Appreciation Dinner was wonderful!!

I really appreciate Pastor allowing us to have this time each year to celebrate.

Here is a whole bunch of pictures.

Game #1 Transfer Smarties from one cup to another using a straw...great fun and it gets really quiet! ;) Our 1st place winner was.... Mike and 2nd place was Bob

Game #2 They had to draw what I told them with their eyes closed!! I gave them things like, draw a large rectangle in the center, draw a triangle above that, etc. The picture was a house with a path, a tree next to it and a cloud in the sky.
Winners: 1st place John, 2nd place Beth and Cindy. It was really funny to see what they drew because they couldn't see and had no idea what it should look it when done.... some of them were a mess!! lol I won't tell names Cheryl or Kimmie!!



Lots of pictures with me and my crew.
Dawn just in case: authorization number 465932 :D


And of course, men will be men! Not a planned game....

The Mailbox

Beth got this mailbox for Christmas last year, but it has become our "family mailbox" rather than her toy (for now, when she wants to play with it again, we will have to come up with something else). Even though I missed the home school meeting, I loved all the idea Julie had on the paper. As I was sitting in my chair just finishing reading my Bible, I saw the paper and I thought, how hard is it to make a mailbox. I told the kids later that day and their eyes got big and were very excited. Kyle thought of Beth's mailbox right away and she liked the idea too. So now we have a "fancy" mailbox to write notes to each other and we are all enjoying it.

A Wonderful Wednesday

Well, once again the stuff bomb has been removed from the office/school area!! Yesterday, I got to all the school side and this morning I got up really early and started the desk area. So, once again I have peace because.... order and beauty equal peace. I really love when my desk is not a mess, but I have a lot of trouble keeping it that way.

As I am writing this Kyle is finished with his English and Math for the day and Beth is about 15 minutes from being done! YEAH!! We have decided with our brief encounter with the computer program that it is not for us. We are all going to work on rock/geology for the next couple of weeks and then go from there.

Today we are also thinking about starting an "art" project, but I don't want to tell you before we get going....so you will just have to check back and see what's happening.

Thank you

Thank you everyone for your comments, calls and prayers! Although I don't feel like myself, I am feeling better today. I am happy to report I had a mild case of this unlike many of you. Today I am getting the laundry done and straightening one of the rooms that perpetually looks as if someone throws a "stuff bomb" in the room...always a work in progress.

A Little Bit of Everything

I am not really sure how time goes so fast. I can't believe it has been a week since my last post. Last week was a "normal" week after my Monday doctor appointment, so it seems I would be able to get on here and tell you something!! I have a couple test scheduled for Friday as a result of my last doctor appointment...I have to be there at 7:30 in the morning. I would prefer something later, but later was 4:30, so that wasn't going to happen.

The kids have been doing a good job with their book work especially since I changed some things with Kyle. I have him doing a trail period with a computer program and it seems to be going well. Beth and I are still doing the Konos together for right now.

We went to Pete's funeral on Friday morning, and after that I did my normal weekly shopping. Saturday we went soul winning and then Beth and I looked for a new winter coat. That was a major ordeal...the price of coats are crazy! We ended up with a coat from Walmart...from the boys section...cameo no less!

Sunday morning service was great as usual. I am really learning a lot about Proverbs 6. I didn't feel well last night, so I stayed home from church, something I really don't like doing. I don't feel like myself yet, but I do feel better than last night!

Watching C.C

Tonight we got to watch C. C. again. She is such a sweet little thing!

Here are a couple cute pictures!!

F.Y.I.

I just wanted to let you know that we deleted Beth's blog. She will be blogging on my pages when she really wants to share something. We felt it was necessary as we really are not keeping up with it and it was very time consuming for both of us. So, if you have a link on your site, please delete it. Thanks.

Happy Birthday Beth!

Happy 9th Birthday Beth!!

We love you!!!

What Can I Say?

I am sorry I haven't been blogging. We are all doing fine. Have you ever had those times that just were so filled, you didn't have time for extras??? (No, I am sure that is just me) That has been my life lately and honestly, my blog was the first thing bumped off my list of things to do. We have been off schedule every day for over a week, except Sunday.

My list of things I was doing:

Field trip
Doctor visit for Beth
Weekly shopping
Date night
Sunday School Soul winning
Pumpkin Patch
Birthday party
Sunday Services
Preparing my notes for Friday
Cleaning
My doctor appointment
Meeting about hospitality
Working on hospitality
Watching Baby C.C.
Wednesday service
Another doctor visit for Beth
Still working on notes
Again weekly shopping
Returning a recalled product
Shopping for a coat for Beth
Shopping for Beth's birthday
And having dinner with friends

Okay, I think that might be it, besides trying to home school....

I have been easily distracted and off schedule lately I don't know why, but I think it might have something to do with the fact that we have had 11, yes 11 (Monday will be number 12) doctor, dentist, test and eye appointments in the past month. I am looking forward to Tuesday because we can start to follow the schedule again without interruption (ha ha...at least in theory)