Wrapping up 2009

Can you believe it - this is my 200th post. I also can't believe it's the end of another year.  Where has the time gone?

I also wanted to share another special announcement with you.  I got a very special Christmas gift this year - a son-in-law.

Yup, Nick proposed to Big K.  They have scheduled a 2012 wedding date, at that point Nick will be out of the Marines (currently stationed in CA) and Big K will be about done with the first part of her education, (studying to be a vet). Needless to say Big K is floating around on cloud 9 right now - don't they make a cute couple?

I heard on the radio today on the way to work that a parent is very much like an archer and our children are the arrow.  With much practice the archer can release the arrow from the bow and hit the target every time.  Just has parents we train our children in the way they should go and one day we will release them just as the archer releases the arrow.  So I guess it's my time to release my first arrow - Congratulations Nick & Karissa.

As I look back at 2009 I find myself just shaking my head, seriously where did the year go?  There's been a lot of changes in my world, some I've handle pretty good - others not so good; but we move on.

As we bring in the new year let's reflect on the past, look forward to the future, and live today.

May you be blessed in 2010.







Sheryl

The Seven Wonders of the World

How true this is.

Out of the mouths of babes

My niece's 5 year son:

"God knows that so much snow is a pain so he added all the sparkles in the snow to make it beautiful."

Plan B

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  As for me, it was wonderful, different, but wonderful.

It started snowing on Thursday and continued to snow and blow through Christmas leaving behind 8 inches of snow and 3-4 foot snow drifts.  I'm assuming that our street is very low priority considering they just plowed at 2:00 a.m. this morning (Sunday).  We have small cars low to the ground, needless to say we are just getting out today.  I love being home but when it's a choice, can't wait to get out.


My family did not make it down so it was a rather quiet day.  We'll schedule another time to get together and celebrate.  I am thankful that everyone was safe and warm in there homes.

The bad weather outside only made us go to plan B, the spirit of Christmas continued on.  We spent the day opening presents, eating, watching movies, eating, playing the Wii, eating - I think you get the idea.  It was a wonderfully relaxing day with B, Little K, Big K, and Big K's boyfriend, N.  That's N's car in the picture above, B is trying to dig it out.

I have to wonder how it was for Mary so many years ago, giving birth in a stable.  The Bible doesn't talk about the details but I'm sure giving birth now is the same as it was then, only now we have comfortable beds in a climate controlled room with people around to meet our every need.

How did you celebrate your Christmas?  Did the weather affect your plans?  Did you have to go to a plan B or maybe even a plan C?   I would love to hear about your Christmas.

Thankful Thursday

Week #6

I am going on a journey with Truth 4 the Journey.

The aim is to list 5 things which you are thankful to God for!

Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
  Luke 2:11

God is bigger then anything we can go through.  He is truly in control.

1.  Originally I requested to take the 24th off from work.  Since I am out of vacation days it would be with out pay but the time with my family is priceless.  Last Thursday my boss came in and told me he decided to give us the 24th  off with holiday pay.  I am so thankful the extra day off with pay.

2.  A winter storm warning is scheduled from 12/24, 6:00 am to 12/26, 6:00 am with a possibility of 8-12 inches of snow.  I am so thankful to have 12/24 off from work and do not have to go out in the storm.

3.  I am thankful that God orchestrated my family's scheduled so that no one has to go out during the storm Thursday or Friday.

4.  I am thankful for a husband who moves cars around in the morning so that I can get my car out of the garage.

5.  As of right now I do not know if my sisters and their families will be able to come for Christmas or not due to the storm.  But I am very thankful that they live in the same town and can still get together for the holiday.

I pray that each and everyone of you will have a blessed Christmas.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Another storm is just around the corner with predictions of 8-12 inches of snow. I wish I was back in Jamaica.

Truthfully, I don't mind the storm so much because I will be able to stay home and I am ready to celebrate Christmas.  The bummer is that I don't know that my sisters and their families may make it down,  they're about 60 miles away. 

Wishing you all the best this Christmas Season.

May all your dreams come true.

Fridays With Jake - A Celebration

Mom's been MIA for a little while and she wanted me to apologize for her.  With winter cheer, swim season, the holidays, and other issues causing her stress (she can't go into it right now) she has had some major writers block.  But I talked her into letting me do my column today.

It's time for celebration, Big K just finished her first semester at college and has moved back home for the holiday break.  In reality Big K is my human but when she moved away to college I stayed with mom and dad.  And, today is Little K's last day of classes, that means I will have human company during the day until after the new year.  I just love it when my family is around.

Dad's company is shutting down sometime next week for the holidays - the more the merrier, I just wish mom could stay home with us too.

I'm getting used to the new kitten (all 3.5 pounds of him).  I love going up to him and putting my nose under his tummy and flipping him over.  He must like it because he comes back for more.  I just wish he would quit playing with my tail and attaching himself to my legs.  Mom said to be patient, the claws come out at the end of the month.  Ouch.....glad they arn't taking my claws out, after all how would I dig all of those lovely holes in the back yard.  I know mom and dad just love my holes, they say something about them every time they see a new one.

As you already now it snowed lots here, I love playing in the snow.  I just can't seem to get used to going outside via another door though, the snow has my door blocked. 

Well I better go, I hear that kitten doing something and since mom is at work I better check on him for her.

 Jake

Thankful Thursday

Week #5

I am going on a journey with Truth 4 the Journey.
The aim is to list 5 things which you are thankful to God for!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23  

1.  We had a snow storm this week; the storm dumped about 9 inches of snow.  I am so thankful that God brought my family back together Tuesday afternoon safe and sound. 

2.  With the frigid temperatures that are around to stay for a while, I am thankful for a warm house to come home to, coat, hat and gloves to wear while outside, and a warm bed to rest.

3.  I am thankful for a God that is ever so faithful, who never gives up on us when we sometimes give up on ourselves.

4.    I am thankful for all my cyber friends and pray you have a blessed season.

5.  I am thankful for the new kitten in our home.  He reminds me to live in the moment and just enjoy life.

What are you thankful for?

Snow storm in the midwest

Yesterday the snow start as predicted.  I went to work until noon and wished I'd stayed home.  I got stuck four times before I made it back home.  I made it into the drive way not the garage - stuck #5 - in the drive way, at least I was home.

After an afternoon and night of snow and wind, here's the results.

This is the door the dogs use.  Hope they don't have to go out today.

Seriously, we have another door that leads to the back yard.  Mother nature was good enough to keep part of the yard cleared out just for them.

Jake loves the snow, the other two - not so much.  That's Jake in the upper right side of the picture.

We got about 10 inches of snow, it's 5 degrees and the wind chill takes us well below zero.

Even the deer is burying his head.

Heavenly Father,

Thank  you for getting my family home safely and keeping us warm all night.  The first snow storm of the season can be so exciting, a new adventure. 

But there are some who do not have a warm home to go to.  I pray you will give them relief from the frigid temperatures.  Give them a warm place to stay and hot food to eat.  

Amen.

Star City Parade

On the 1st Saturday of December Lincoln has "The Star Holiday Parade."  It's such a festive time with vendors on the streets and clowns walking around. 

Some years have been absolutely freezing but people show up with their yard chairs and blankets and bundle up for the show.

One year the weather was so bad all of the bands pulled out except one, this year however was great.  The sun was shinning, the temperature was somewhere in the upper 30's lower 40's and the breeze was ever so slight. 

The streets were lined with adults and kids alike waiting for the parade to begin.  There were also some four legged friends who came out in the cold to take in the festivities. 

 

What a great way to start off the season.  I wanted to share a little bit of it with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the candy canes and Christmas balls were my favorite.  You can't see it in this picture but they had a hard time keeping up on the parade route.  Their costumes went below their knees and made it very had for them to walk - but they were SO cute.

Our four legged friends even got a part in the festivities....

There must have been at least 12 different bands, here's my favorite band.

And of course my favorite band member -

 Little K....
(who is not so little anymore)

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Road Trip

Krispy Kreme doughnuts are wonderful, definitely can satisfy any sweet tooth.  Not so good on the waist line but hey - anything in moderation right????  The problem with Krispy Kreme doughnuts is that there is not one on every corner.

About 7 years ago we got a wild hair to run to Omaha (about a 45 minuter drive) on a Krispy Kreme run.  It was 9:00 o'clock on a Saturday night.  We stop and kid napped my sister and her daughter, (I was nice enough to let them change out of their pj's) and off we went.

What a memory that made for Big K.  Over the last few weeks she has been talking about the spur of the moment rode trip.  So last night at the magic hour of 9:00 p.m. we headed to Omaha (now an hour drive) on a Krispy Kreme run.

 Sorry for the quality of the pictures, this was taken on my phone.

Who would have thought two girls could have had so much fun taking a road trip for doughnuts? 

 

2 hours round trip, $16 for doughnuts, 10 minutes eating the doughnuts in store, memories - priceless.