Christmas Joy

2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV) Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

1 Corinthians 13:13 Right now three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The Annual Girls' Party

Keelie hosted her annual Christmas Girls' Party once again. It is always the Sunday evening before Christmas. We all look forward to it every year.  This year she did a great fiesta meal. The guests are just asked to do two things:  1) wear PJs (or something very comfy) and then 2) to bring cookies (any sweets) to sample and exchange with each other. 

I'm not sure how many years we have been doing this but it's close to 10 years now. This was the first girly party held in Keelie and Justin's new home.

These are my special girls!

2010

2013

Five on "Rick" 

1. He broke a couple of ribs during a fall on the ice.

2. He is still sleeping (trying) in his recliner at night because he can't be on his side.

3. He has now been married to me for 36 years as of this week! (Woohoo!)

4. He loves his family!

5. He knows God is in control!

The Christmas Trees

We have been home more this December than any before. I am not complaining though! I have enjoyed every day and evening. So many times we go to all the work to decorate and then fill our time with so much activity that we don't get to enjoy the fruits of our labor. 

God, thank you for the reason for this season! 

Ohio is Checked Off the List!

I have been needing to document our girls' trip this last month. It allowed us to check off one more state on the bucket list. Who would have known there was so much to see and do in Ohio?! We just scraped the top of the "touristy" things to see and do.

A highlight for us was to stay one night at an Amish Bed and Breakfast in the heart of the Amish Country. Having already experienced exposure to the Amish in Pennsylvania, we knew we were in for a treat. 

We did a driving tour through Holmes County and then went on another "bridge" tour which always proves to be so much fun!

This was one of my favorite bridges in Jefferson.....

We visited the "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" in Cleveland....

Mooney Warther's Museum ( wood train carver and cutlery maker) in Dover......

Lehman's in Kidron....

We saw the Heinis Cheese Factory in Walnut Creek. In Akron, we saw the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Home (66, 000 sq. ft. mansion), other historic houses, and drove by the "Blimp" home.

I have to say I loved Ohio!

December 2013 Ice Storm

Just a few random shots of fun during the staycation because of the ice!

BRRRRR !!!!

Even the geese were enjoying it!

NASCAR WEEKEND 

November 2013

Rickie and Marilyn drove us from the speedway up to Gainesville so we could look at a Rhino. We loved it and bought it. (We sold my "vintage" mustang that Rick had fixed up.)

On the way home, Rick had a spell and lost consciousness for a minute . Scared the heck out of us. He had to go to the ER in Denton by ambulance. I can't say enough about all the people who came to our aid at the station we had pulled into. They offered pillows, water, words of encouragement and  most importantly---prayers! After a 4-5 hour ordeal, he was released. (Vertigo and dehydration). We were so grateful for my entire family and those "passerbyers!" 

The rest of the race weekend was fairly "normal." Good times with family and friends!

Trunk or Treat

2013

Bountiful Baskets

My family has been participating for some time now in "Bountiful Baskets." It's an online food co-op. So much fun! 

Each week we contribute $15 plus a surcharge. We get a basket of 50% fruits and 50% vegetables. You have the option to purchase "add ons." 

The best add on for me so far was 22 lbs of peaches for $18. 

Go to Bountiful Baskets for all the details of how, when, where, etc. 

A few photos of some of my baskets.....

Good Grief!

Yes....let me repeat....GOOD GRIEF! I can't believe it's been so long since I have written a post. I have just got to do better.

August marked the beginning of Jonah's 2nd grade year and Glory's pre-kindergarten year.

It also marked the beginning of my third year of doing diagnostician work part time.

It marked the first year of retirement for Marilyn. So many different emotions for her that first week or two....

Justin and Keelie also got moved into their new home after months of anticipation.

September gave us birthday parties for Jonah and Glory as well as a birthday weekend at the lake for Jenna.

Now....

R & R

We are enjoying some of God's wonderful creations this week. Rick took off a few days, and we headed out. We have been blessed with a break in hot temps and even had a couple of showers.

Barstools and Bread

A few days ago I got something knocked off the "To Do" list. (Gotta love that feeling!) These stools had been needing this for some time.

(Before)                         (After)


And then not to waste very ripe bananas.... Waalaa!

Glass Totem Poles

Save that glass. You never know what you can make!

Lake Weekend

We enjoyed going to M and Rickie's lake house this past weekend. It was only our second time out in the Class C rig. We are still getting use to the differences in it and our 5th wheel. It's a give and take situation, but I do love the fact that I can handle the driving and maneuvering. 

We enjoyed Jonah and Glory coming. We stayed busy and were all pretty well pooped when we got home! Jenna and Jared were a big help with entertainment!