Christmas in Branson!

Christmas is already over?!!

Highlights from our trip to Branson:

*Silver Dollar City

*Cooking class

*A Christmas Carol

*A trip to a wax museum--what trip to Branson would be complete without it?!!

As I contemplate 2011 I'm looking forward to a great year of sports, another round of senior pics (Andy has already asked if he has to have them taken), college visits, teaching, seeing new places and most importantly, growing in the Lord!

May 2011 be filled with Blessings and joy!

Branson, here we come!

We're off to Branson for the week! We've never been and are looking forward to a week of relaxing, playing cards, looking at lights, taking a cooking class and riding some rides! Lilli and Joel will also be doing a college visit---yes, she's already in college, but is now looking for one for nursing school. Rather than spend a ton of money on gifts, we like to take time to spend together. So, we're staying at The Chateau on the Lake (with a spa) and can't wait!

Merry, Merry!

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

There is nothing as special to me as spending a night at home with my kids--even more now than when they were little, because now they choose to be with us. When they were little-what choice did they have? This weekend I got to do that and it was awesome. It doesn't mean that we sat around singing carols and finding new ways to express our admiration for each other--we were just together doing "what we do" and I love it! Do that this weekend with your family!

This year, especially, I have been reflecting on how blessed we are to have a church, a family, a home, jobs, opportunity to share with others, and laughter. As I think about, and plan for, 2011 it is my wish to live a life that reflects my Creator and to view others as reflections of that Creator. I won't be perfect-far from it! But, if each day is only a little bit better than the one before it, than yea God because it's not me, it's Him!

Now....off to grades papers, bake cookies, do a little gift wrapping and pack for a little family adventure to Missouri. Merry Christmas to all!

Uh, thank you, thank you very much....

Thankful for......

*Our church

*Healthy, happy family

*Good jobs

*Time to spend with people we love

*Kids we love and like

*Turkey and all the extras-like Devilled eggs!

*Things that make us laugh

*Our home

*The Pilgrims? :)

*Most importantly--Freedom to worship Our Savior

Play-offs!!!

As of Friday, Andy's team is officially in the playoffs! They had the opportunity to play a team from a state training school Friday. It was a great experience. On the way home on the bus, he texted me that it was the best game he'd ever played in. He told us that they helped them up, told them good job and after the game, told them "Good luck in the playoffs!" It was encouraging to see young men changing their lives for the better and getting a chance to change their future.

We just found out that our high school was chosen to do a "High School Game Day" on TV tomorrow. The kids need to be at the school at 5 AM and will be interviewed and have a chance to mimic "College Game Day"--it will be a great memory for them. (The football coaches aren't thrilled to say the least--loss of focus, loss of sleep, etc., but they told the boys they trust them to make the right decision about being a part of it---Andy took that to mean he should go. :) )

My Moss Roses A Lily in Our Pond My Rose Tree

The seasons are changing, it's time to clean up the yard for winter and my hummingbirds and finches won't be around for long. So, I thought I'd share a few pictures of summer before it's gone for a while. I have a fascination with the little hummingbird, so tiny, yet so industrious. We have a few types that frequent our backyard and I never tire of watching them flit from our apple tree to the feeder to the flowers and back again. The thought of battening down the hatches for winter is not something I like to think about, because I so love being in the yard, walking Betsy, and fishing. Having pics like this help me remember that the next season is always just around the corner!