What Happened to Thanksgiving???

I really want to know what happened to Thanksgiving. The day after Halloween the Walmart in town started playing Christmas music. They only played instrumentals so that maybe you wouldn't notice, I did. It was WAY TOO SOON!!

We went shopping that weekend to the mall and everything was decorated for Christmas. All the stores had trees and etc......Even though I promised myself I wouldn't Christmas shop so early, I did. I got all the Sunday School Teachers and Children's workers their gifts because darn it the sales were great. I have NEVER done this before-NEVER!!

At our office we have had to listen to Christmas music for at least 1 week. Agony.

We have poor reception and so many of the other stations are full of static!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since yesterday I have heard 'Christmas Shoes' at least 6 times. Now that is a heart wrenching song- but OK I am over it!!

The interesting thing about 'Christmas Shoes' is that it was written right here in little 'ole Newton Kansas! Yes indeed. A Bethal College student wrote the song after an encounter at the local Alco. An Alco store is like a KMart. Since Megan graduated from Bethal I am sure the song is near and dear to her heart! :-)

Speaking of Megan, we had a fiasco last night. I went to pick her up at the airport and the drama began before I got out of the car. I got the parking ticket and placed it in a little slot on my dash and it DISAPPEARED. First bummer. Megan's plane had been delayed, a baggage truck hit her original plane and caused a hole-so everyone had to deplane and fly alternate carriers-which would have been fine had her luggage followed her!!! So now we have lost luggage and parking ticket.

In Wichita the 1st 30 min. is free, the 2nd 30 min is $2. When we finally got the luggage situation, located (in Denver) and got ready to leave, the parking attendant felt SO bad in charging us $15 to leave the airport. We paid the $ and I have a ticket in the dash of my car that will probably catch on fire or cause a short.

So I need to remember what Christmas really means and celebrate Thanksgiving with a happy heart. I need to be Thankful for ALL my Blessings. My children, My grandson, My hubby and all that The Lord has blessed us with.

So go buy those 'Christmas Shoes'---But wait until after Thanksgiving!!!

WoW!!!

I have been away for so long I an embarrassed to even try to blog. There really is no explanation---just life is busy!! Oh and I am LAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our highlight was going back to Seattle for Brian to do a wedding for Melissa and Nick. It was a beautiful time to see friends and family. We had a wonderful time connecting with friends at our old hang out Torreros. YUM. The company was awesome and so fun!! It was Brian's first trip back in two years. He was a little overwhelmed but I think in a good way.

Our trip was planned before we knew that Brianne and Scott were expecting! So it was such a treat to spend time with them and try to soak in all the Baby Vibes we could before we had to return home.

Life in Kansas goes on!! No twisters yet, here anyway. Good news that!! We have been BUSY updating the Youth room and the Children's Church room. Sometimes I still dream I am painting. The great news is that we have 45-50 kids coming on Wed. nights!! That's a Praise! Makes all the hard work worth it. Warren and Linda came for a visit right before the open house and true to ministry tradition we put them right to work assembling furniture.

We do have something I never would have NEVER foreseen and I mean NEVER!! 3 DOGS!!!!!!!

Of course you all know about Daisy, she is Brian's baby. Then there is Sadie a German Short hair that he rescued and sent to hunting school (she points the cat?), and one of Brett's friends who stayed with us a bit this summer brought us home Heidi, a Wiemereiner, she is sweet and beautiful. But really 3 dogs---WOW!!

We are anxious for little William to make his grand appearance, approx Feb.23rd. Poor Bri has had queasiness all through out but she is a trooper and Scott is taking wonderful care of his family. I am happy because I get to come up in Jan. for a baby shower and the turn around and come again in Feb.!!

Brett is doing great. He is in his last year at Tabor. He is ready to be done and be out in the workforce. Maybe someone should tell him it's not so great---nah--he'll find out ;-)

He had an awesome opportunity to visit New York with Scott and Bri in Oct. a babymoon! They all had fun and saw the sights. Brett brought home lots of goodies-Tshirt's, several watches, a purse not sure what else but I know that Kelly enjoyed her gifts and Brian his watch, me well :-)

Miss you all. so lame not to stay updated--will try harder--

I'm Back!!!

Wow! it has been almost two months since the last post, no I haven't fallen off the face of the earth I just have been overwhelmed in all that is happening now!!

The MOST IMPORTANT and EXCITING thing is that Brianne and Scott are expecting a baby in February!! Brian and I, well and Brett too are so excited and deliriously happy for Scott and Bri We have to wrap our minds around becoming grandparents!! That word makes you feel so old, but Brett reminds us that we are old so there it is!!

Our only downfall is that we are not there to see all the changes and to share this special time with our kids. I can't think about that too much because I get a little teary.

Brianne had a rough couple of months but she is feeling so much better now. I am sure she is radiant. We praise God for this blessing and we are so thankful that things are going well. Love this picture. I was in town in July and got to the kids for only one day, Bri was felling great so we went to one of my favorite places Torreos----Yum!!

We are fortunate that we get to see them at the end of September, believe me we are counting the days.

The are more stories to follow I will be back on track now!!

I

Whew!!

I have been home from vacation now for almost a month and haven't sat down long enough to update!! OK, OK!!! Maybe it's just that I haven't made the time in my schedule to update!!

We had a wonderful vacation-it was so fun fun to be with the 'kids' and just RELAX-----I don't understand how vacation days fly by at the speed of light!

Spending the time with Scott and Bri just made us realize how much we miss them and just spending time with them. We love what we are doing here in Kansas, but we miss our kids.

Brett has been out of school for almost 2 months, he is working for a heating and plumbing place here in town. It's a great summer job. He made the Dean's List for his grades and was recognized by the Kansas Christian Colleges for his grades and athletics but he thinks it makes him a nerd so he HATES the I say anything about it--oh well.

Brianne and Scott are GREAT! She took some awesome photos while on vacation, she has quite an eye. Hopefully she will share some with me because I must have lost my mind and I hardly took any. So disappointed in myself for being such a photo slacker!!

Brian has been working this week at the Hospital ti fill in for the full time Chaplin. For a man who fainted at my ultrasound when i was expecting Bri-this week he has seen it all. He has been there for 4 deaths, one trauma-a soldier coming home from leave laid down his motorcycle and had a double compound fracture of his leg. Brian's job was to talk to the young man, try to keep him calm ago through his belongings to find his cell phone so he could contact the young mans mom and the base to let them know he wasn't AWOL. Then the next day one of our citizen's here in town tried to shoot himself in the head while driving down Main street. He didn't die thank goodness, but again Brian had to go through all the belongings to notify family-it has been a tough week. In fact as I write this he is at the Hospital as someone is passing soon.

So keep him in your prayers, he has come along way from fainting at the sight of blood.

VACATION!!!!!!!!!

OK.OK!!! I have been horrible about keeping this updated, the last month and a half has literally been a whirlwind!!!!!!!!!

Where do I start??

On Easter the Worship Leader and her hubby, he ran the multi media resigned! They have been serving in that capacity for 20!! years and needed a break! They still worship with us but it is a blessing for them to be able to sit together as a family during service. They have teenagers and want to devote more time at home, understandable!!

We got them to stay until the end of April and now Brian and I are leading Worship--Very Interesting!!

We've had two baby showers, 6 graduations and parties, 2 more this weekend!

A Father Daughter Gala. Mother's Day. A gospel Jamboree--Whoopee!! A concert. More meetings than I can count. Moved Brett back home from school. 25 shirts to embroider, 6 pairs of pants to hem.

Oversaw Brian's Moms landscaping and the instillation of two sprinkler systems, one fence, one set of fence posts ( the boys promise the fence will go up soon).

One case of shingles--me on my thigh-Dr. tells me it could be stress related-think so??

The good news is I caught it RIGHT away and am feeling so much better!

The AWESOME news is that Monday we leave for 10 days in Mazatlan MEX. We are SO ready for vacation!!.......Brianne, Scott and Brett are joining us for the full 10 days and we will also have a friend with us for the 1st week.

No phones, limited computers lots of beautiful sunshine my wonderful family, the ocean, it will be heaven. The biggest decision I want to make is where shall we go for dinner tonight??

Basically running on the beach and laying by the pool that's the agenda!!!

Lots of thunderstorms and tornadoes all around us tonight but we are fine.

This little picture describes how I feel!!!

Open Season!!

The Winds have come-meaning twister season is now officially open!! Last week the winds hit at gusts up to 70mph and we lost power for a day and a half. Usually we never lose power as our lines are buried but the feeder lines went down. One rotten pole caused a 9 pole domino collapse.
It was warm, so that part wasn't too bad. The only part I hated was that I had to go to the church gym and shower! I know I 'm a wimp but showering anyplace but home gives me the hebby gebbies.
It was kinda creepy showering at the church-- in the men's room I might add!!
Tonight it is also windy, it really rattles the house and is hard to drive and walk in.
This is the kind of wind we had when I first moved here. Brian had just finished a wedding and I was cleaning up after the reception, going back to the church. The wind came up and literally lifted my dress over my head like a wind sock-thank goodness I was carrying something or my dress would have ended up in Nebraska!! Quite shocking for all involved!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I've never been one to really celebrate St. Patrick's Day. When I was in 6th grade my best friend and I got matching shirts with green clovers on them and really that has been the extent of my excitement over March 17th!! In fact today I had the day off and celebrated by staying in my jammies most of the day until I went to the gym in the afternoon. LAZY!!!!

Well Bretty has done quite a bit to celebrate putting on the Green! A few weeks ago he called me on a Friday afternoon and said he needed a Leprechaun costume by Sunday afternoon, some Tabor event-didn't ask too many ?? about it- thought it best!!

Well, my good friend Kathy heard he was going to be a leprechaun and helped finish off his costume w/ a "kiss me I'm Irish" button and a necklace. Then she came in for the kill and asked him to visit her 5th grade classroom to read and give out candy. The Principal heard about it and so last Friday Brett spent the afternoon at Walton Elementary visiting grades K-5. He did magic tricks, read stories, handed out coloring sheets and candy. The kids had a great time and I think Brett did too! In fact he agreed to come back next year, we just have to get him another green sequined hat before next year, it seems the one he had was stolen by one of his buddies-again the least amount of ??'s asked the better!!

Life goes on!!

Well, Basketball season is now over!! It was hard year, but good in may ways. Although it did not go as planned with Brett having to sit out most of the season I think he has had a great College Experience, and made lots of great friends. We would not have been able to send him to Tabor without the generous scholarship he recieved. He is getting an awesome education and his Christian witness has been strenghtened and challenged in the process!!

He is going to be a giant leprecan (sp) this week, I made him a costume,for one of his classes and expect PICTURES!!

It has been a tough couple of weeks, Brian has been SICK with all the crud going around. It seems that the Midwest has been hit especially hard and many hospitals are at overflowing with flu and pneumonia patients!

Two Sundays ago Brett called while I was teaching my Sunday School class-never a good sign!!

On his way to Church a car coming towards him crossed into the merdian, it had snowed 6" the night before and the roads were bad-he moved toward the shoulder enough not to get hit, but enough to hit slush and he spun around 180 and crossed the lanes and hit a phone utility box. Thankfully he was not hurt and the two girls following behind him to also come to church were able to avoid this crazy driver, get out of her way and stop to help Brett. His new truck will be better once the *$4300* makes it better!! We haven't heard what we will have to pay for knocking out phone service to half the town of Hillsboro!!

We are looking forward to warmer weather!! The sunshine is a tease when you look outside and think Ahhh, it's 70 when really it is 30!!

P.S. I NEVER did moves like that when i was a cheerleader!! Doesn't it look fun??

Basket Ball!!!

Finally Brett is eligeible to play b-ball. He had to wait for a semester, so it is hard to get in the line up when you have been practising AGAINST your teamates all season long. It is so much fun to see him back on the court and having a good time. He has a great attitude, even though he has been having limited playing time. It has been 5 years since Brett has been on the court, since Seattle Christian.
It was 5 years ago that he broke his wrist right before playoffs and missed playing in State his Senior year. He is having a great time, getting a great education, and a great opportunity!! That should be enough GREAT---- for anyone!!! We are enjoying all the fun and the last few games of the regular season-just have to wait and see what playoffs bring!!

Concert

Last night Brian and I went to a Casting Crowns Concert. It was awesome, we had so much fun and the music was great, really love the message they have. They know how difficult it is to live in the world and yet not be of the world-the dilema we, or at least I have every day.

During two of their songs they had an artist 'paint'. He uses his hands and includes the message of the song and builds his art upon the words. Really it is so great to see in person, an usual talent.

The concert was an encouragement, Love it when I can 'feel' the bass resound in my chest!!

A worship service really.

Real life set back in today as Brian went out to be with a family whose loved one decided life was too difficult and stepped in front of a train-heartbreaking-how do you comfort those that are hurting so deeply.

Every day we touch lives of those who are hurting and in despair, my prayer is that God would use me and my limited self to touch the lives of those who need His love.

If you get a chance pray for this hurting family and for Brian to have wisdom as he ministers to them.

Life can be short-if I haven't said so--we miss you all and think of you often, we send our love to you.

Superbowl Sunday!!

I hate to admit it but I really don't care that much about football, now I know that many people are big fans--but me, I would rather watch College Basket Ball!
But not caring about football doesn't mean I don't like to have a Superbowl Party!!
I think we had between 25-30 people here today for the game festivities!!

It's a big MAN thing, Brian and his buddy gather all the dove they have hunted during the season and make a big deal out of stuffing the breast meat w/a sliver of jalepneo pepper and wrapping it in bacon then barbequing them and baking them with barbeque sauce. Everyone likes them but I have to admit again that it's not my favorite----
I did sleep though most of the 2nd quarter-that was enteraining.
This is the week that Brett is FINALLY eligible to PLAY!!
It has been a long wait and he has been a trooper-kept a great attitude and has worked hard.

So the next post will be all about b-ball.

Lights, Camera, Action!!!!

!! WARNING !!
If you are a tad bit squeamish-stop now and wait for the next 'Happy Blog".
As I said in my last note I have been having some minor health 'issues'. It started at Thanksgiving time when I went to the Dr. 'cause I thought I had strep. Since Brett was bringing home a houseful of B-ball buddies I went to the Dr. to be sure I wasn't going to be a typhoid Mary. One culture and blood test later confirmed sinus infection-antibiotics to cure, but not contagious!!
But they really liked my blood!! And they want to keep collecting it every few months-FUN.

About six blood tests and one physical later, my Dr. has determined he is not sure what's up except that I have "extraordinarily large red blood cells" and some "absorption" issues. Oh, and maybe a "dying thyroid". Happy news every woman wants just before facing her next birthday.

So today I spent fasting and drinking a lovely cleansing cocktail!! Yum! 2 small doses later and I am ready to face the 'scope ' first thing tomorrow.

For those of you who didn't take heed, here is a happy picture to replace the yucky one I just left in your brain!!

Still Here!!

I guess I really haven't been lazy, just a little overwhelmed and not sure what to add to this page!!
I do want to get my thoughts together and 'catch up'.
I have been dealing with minor irritating health junk-nothing bad just as I said irritating!!
Anyway-more to come soon-a report on the fun stuff we have been doing!!
Hey -- Happy 2008!!