a New Year and New Resolutions
It's always at this time of year I reflect on the past year and ponder on the future. I have never been good with resolutions. I always try one or two but they never seem to stick, well its all about the "will" and sometimes mine isn't so strong in the right things but too strong in the wrong things. Does that make sense? We've had alot on our plates the past few weeks, alot that sends your mind into deep-thinking mode; along with that we are facing changes as we begin this "new year". Branden and Bryan are moving to Colorado next week. Bryan will begin 7 months at the State Police Academy and Branden is moving to the western slope of the Rockies. He will be living with Den's Aunt Hilda and Uncle Gary. New starts for a New Year. Ben will be heading off to a new college this semester too, leaving the old behind and beginning new in a Christian setting. Brett will be in his last semester as a high school senior, and is looking forward to a summer of mission work. The biggest change will be for the rest of the family as we will, more than likely, be moving in the next 6 weeks. We haven't made a firm commitment yet, but either this position or another will bring new changes and new challenges. I am all up for change, yet as I reflect over the past 9 years here, its also bittersweet. Our kids have grown-up here, this the home most of them will remember. I am excited, apprehensive and a bit nervous. New friends, new area, new position, new church, new schools. Lots of NEW involved for everyone. The dynamics of our family are certainly changing, as its supposed too, but its never easy. It will be tough, to say the least, to say goodbye to our boys next week. Actually more like heartbreaking. It will be tough to put Daniel and Elizabeth back on a plane Sunday afternoon heading back to North Dakota, it will be tough seeing Ben off to a new setting and it will be tough to have the kids Christmas break end. As I said before I am not about resolutions but I do want to move myself closer to Christ, to find more of Him and less of me. To become more of a Godly wife, mom, sister, daughter, aunt and friend, to aim for His prize and not mine. See my life has been about "me" and not much about "Him", a sad admittance but an honest one. I want it deep within my heart, so much so, that it completely shows in all I do, say and am.

Thank you to all who read my blog. I appreciate your comments, look forward to them, and love them. I pray you will find all your answers in Him who gives us Life in this coming New Year.

with fear and trepidation. . . . .
thats what I felt this morning as I decided to check on my grades for this past college semester. I knew the grades had been in for a week or so but was too fearful to check them. Since I have to run to UofM today and gets books I decided to face my fears and look. OH MY GOSH! I was so excited to find that I got an A and a B- (whew) with an overall GPA of 3.62. I was completely shocked that I got the B- in Geography because it was one TOUGH class. I can only give the credit to God because He saw me through each and every assignment, as well as Den, and my older boys too! They helped and encouraged me every step of the way. I love you guys!!!

Amazing winds. . . .amazing temperatures
Yesterday we had the most amazing temperature for December ever. We awoke to a balmy 62 degrees and no snow. Unbelievable! The snow we received in one week, over a foot, is totally gone but a few mounds here and there. This morning we awoke to ferocious winds. I heard they were going to get as high as 60 mph and I am sure they did. We found our shed off the foundation smack up against a tree, broken limb and jostled dog kennel. As we made our way to church this morning we saw many trees uprooted and laying on their sides, storm doors ripped from their hinges, someones trash can, on its side, on the sidewalk in front of Rite-Aid. Unbelievable! The winds finally subsided and most of the lingering water from the snow is gone and we are now left to pick up all the debris. As fast as it came it went! Crazy Michigan weather!!

New friends

Today was such a fun day. My blogging friend, Sarah, came to our part

of the world today. What fun it was to connect with her, in person, and to meet

her beautiful family. What a sport her husband Don was to bring his family

to our home, just because his wife wanted to meet! AWESOME!

Here is a quick shot of the two of us just before they left. I am so blessed to have such

a Godly friend. What an encouragment she was to me today and we didn't lack for anything

to talk about either!

~~Cousins~~

aren't they just the best looking bunch of kids you've seen?

Aaron loved the rocking horse!

just hanging out!

the two brothers

We had the best time with Den's brother and his family today.

What a blessing this family is to us and what sweet kids they are too!

Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they continue to walk

a tough path.

Christmas Eve

part II

Victoria wants to ride but isn't the happiest about it!
Isn't Jacqueline just the cutest girl you ever saw???
(we certainly think so, what a DOLL)

Here are a few Christmas Eve memories just before

we left for our Christmas Eve Service at Church.

Colson and Victoria

Ready for Christmas Morning

One of my "favorite" ornaments made by one of my boys.

snow. . . .snow. . . .snow. . . .

I couldn't help but think of this song when I

looked out the window this morning. It

just keeps coming!

a baby changes everything. . . . .
take a few moments to watch and listen. . .

a BIG thank you. . . .
It's been a long week, we made it through but not without many, many tears and hugs. Linda's funeral was beautiful. Not so much the surroundings, although, the church was amazingly beautiful all decorated for Christmas, but the way in which she lived her life. She had a sincere passion for Christ, to live fully for Him, and to share that with those she came incontact with. She was the only Christian in her family for many years, (7 siblings) with her mom to follow and her sister Laura, and a neice Stacie just two years ago. Her hope was that her family would come to know the Savior she so faithfully served and that they would find the hope that she held so dear to her heart, that carried her through these past months. I have to say that I was clearly challenged by her walk and the words that were shared, so much so, that it gave me a renewed sense of purpose, of hope of passion.

My heart aches for my brother-in-law David, and his sweet children. I can't even wrap my brain around all they are facing and will face in the days ahead but I do know that they are not walking the journey alone, God is there with them each and every step of the way and He will never fail them, EVER!

I received a message on facebook from my neice Rachel asking if I would pray for a family they go to school with as they lost their dad yesterday, the day of Linda's funeral. This is a snippit of what she asked:
"if you could pray for them that God brings them healing, just like He did
for our family, that would be awesome!"
what a blessing these children are to us, not only is she grieving the loss of her mom, but is now asking for prayer for two girls who just lost their dad.

WOW! I am amazed at the grace that God gives and especially how sweetly and perfectly He gives it! Thank you for allowing me to share our journey this week, and especially THANK YOU for all your kind words and your prayers. They were much needed and definitely felt.

May God's perfect Grace be yours today and throughout this beautiful Christmas Season.

WOW! today was unbelievably tough. I wish I wasn't so tired and spent to share. Both Den and I are overwhelmed with grief for his brother and his kids. It was one heart-wrenching afternoon and if I could so impose on all of you again to remember us all tomorrow as we attend the funeral. We are supposed to get a whopper of a snowstorm too! Lots to deal with, to think about, to process.

PS I couldn't wait to get home to get a hug from each of my kids!

Please pray for Den and I as we travel to Holland tomorrow for the viewing. We got a call from his brother that there will be a special family viewing at 1. It will be a tough time for sure. I just got off of Facebook with their oldest daughter. She is doing ok at the moment. She has been suffering from chronic migraines for the past year but has been, amazingly headache free, these past few days. She also has a younger brother who doesn't seem to be able to show any emotion and she is really concerned for him, he is 15. Again, I would ask that you would uphold David, Andy, Josh, Lisa, Aaron and Rachel in your prayers. One thing Lisa did say when we were cyber chatting is that she hopes they make it through the next two days. Her mom's parents will be there tomorrow and she said that seeing them will be the toughest for her and her siblings. Again, thank you all for your kind words and your willingness to uphold our family in your prayers. Isn't the body of Christ awesome? even if we don't personally know one another we can still "bear each others burden's". I am blessed to have you all in my life!

Medicine to the rescue!

I took Colson and Victoria to the doctor this morning. Colson had a high fever, Victoria had a low-grade fever and I found out they both have strep. Colson also has Scarlett Fever and his excema is running rampant across his body. I just feel so bad for this sweet little guy, when he gets hit, he really gets hit. Both kids are on antibiotics and Colson is on liquid steroids. Maybe by Wednesday they will have turned the corner to recovery. I know it will be another LONG night of restless sleep for those two. They both ended-up sleeping with me and Den in Colson's bed. Sometime in the night Colson awoke me and said, "Mom, looks who's standing by your side of the bed." I turned over and there was Victoria. I pulled her into bed and then Colson asks, "who won Survivor?" I told him to go to sleep and when he got up he could watch the rest of the program from last night. Crazy kid! I almost chuckled out loud but was just too tired!!!!

Sunday Morning

Today was Jacqueline and Colson's Christmas Program at
church. They were so excited, however, Colson woke up sick
yesterday and still was under the weather today. But, alas,
Tylenol and Ibuprofen to the rescue! Both the kids had solo
parts and they both did fabulous! Lots of compliments on
their singing! Here are a few moments I captured before the
kids left for Sunday School.

I wish I could share with you their "shining moments" but

I did not bring a card for my video camera I only had a tape.

Such a bummer too! We did tape it but am not able to upload

it to the computer. You will just have to trust me that they

were "FANTASTIC"!

Busy

It's been a busy few days around here, and quite exciting too.

• Bryan left for his final testing at the Colorado State Police Academy
• Finished all my Christmas Shopping
• Wrapped all my gifts (this is HUGE people, with so many in our family even a few gifts are alot!)
• We celebrated Branden's 23rd birthday (my sweet little boy has turned into quite the man)
• Bryan passed all of his tests, at the top of his class, and is now choosing a general area in the state of Colorado.
• Den has a job interview today (again. . .this is HUGE people)

Just random life around here. Excited for all God is doing and anxious to see it all play out. Enjoy this blessed Christmas season, it's a gift!

No errands today. . . . .

I had planned on running a few errands later

this morning but when I walked into the livingroom

to put Victoria's coat on this is what I found. Poor

little baby, and bless her sweet little heart. I just

didn't have the heart to disturb her and I tried to hurry

to get a memory because she was sleeping with her hands

folded together and it was just so precious!

Free at last. . . . Free at last. . . .
Its official classes were done as of 12 midnight last night! It feels so good. . . . the pressure has lifted!!! I am off to U of M today to sell back the books and get next semesters. This past semester I was late in purchasing and had to buy two new books, which cost, literally, an arm and a leg, and I know I will not get a fraction of what I payed for them, but hoping that it will be enough to cover the used books I need.

We were hit with a winter storm last night. Unbelievable! Jacqueline had a choir concert last night, we left at 5:45 with bare roads and warmer temps, 40ish, only to find exactly 1 hour later nasty freezing rain/snow and slippery roads. Amazing! Of course we were all hoping, hoping, hoping for a snow day today but NOPE, as always the best of the storm went north of us but we are still in a winter storm watch through tomorrow. Which brings me to my next comment, Bryan leaves for Colorado tomorrow am, early, for his finals with the State Police Academy. To say he is excited is an understatement. He has been packing since Sunday! We are excited for him as well, what an opportunity!

Well the quiet is quickly coming to a close around here, with the showers running above and beside, and I know it won't be but minutes before my sweet little Victoria is up! She is quite the early bird!

Enjoy your day, every minute of it!!! I am hoping to finish up my Christmas shopping! WooHoo!

Walking in a Winter wonderland. . . .

It is absolutely gorgeous out this morning, definitely puts you in the mood for Christmas and all its festivities. I did Brennan's early morning paper route (he is on a retreat with Brett and Blake) and found the sidewalks to the building we deliver too slippery, so much so that I landed right on my keister! So I went back in and salted the walks. What if it was a senior citizen who had fallen? Anyways with that task out of the way for the day, I was able to come home and enjoy some warm java and watch it snow, snow, snow. Our temps are hovering around 15, and it's is definitely cold. Jacqueline and Colson are getting ready to head out to play. I need to start laundry but I just dread heading down to the "black hole" because there isn't just one mountain but many. UGH!

Our Gingerbread House Event was a HUGE success. We had well over 225 people attend; many commented on what a great time they had, and wow, the houses they built out of 6 graham crackers were amazing. (I am totally not creative at all, thats where Den's creative juices come in handy around here, but he was busy last night with the older boys at a retreat) Colson made his house with my help, I just got it set up for him and he did all the decorating. Both kids had fun. Bless my girls heart, she helped me all night long, and it was a l-o-n-g night. We arrived at school at 4:30 with intentions of coming home, for dinner at 6, but people arrived an hour early (I guess they were excited) we were ready, so we just let the families begin. It was a constant flow of families until about 7:45. By the time we got everything cleaned and back in place we arrived home after 9, exhausted! I did swing by Mac's for a late dinner for Jacqueline. We all fell asleep on the sofa and Den woke us up at 12:15 when he got home! It's also a treat getting to know other parents when organizing events. One other mom, Teresa, was a huge help to me and it was fun working alongside her and hearing her story. I treasure these moments, these connections.

Enjoy your weekend! I have a ladies Christmas dinner tonight! So much excitement for one weekend, I just can't contain myself!

WHEW. . . . . .

Tonight we have our annual build a gingerbread house at the kids elementary school. Myself and a friend are in charge of this event. Little did I know when I so quickly volunteered that I would have to make the frosting. I just finished filling 90 ziploc bags of frosting. What a job, actually, it went rather fast. I still need to make a bit more but ran out of eggs. My friend made 50 bags. We have a huge group signed up for the event. Last year there was only 30 families this year we have over 200 people. Amazing. Its a cheap evening with your kids, we charge only $2 and you get to make a house, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. I know with the economy the way it is most families are looking for ways to spend time with their kids that doesn't cost and arm and a leg! My kids are excited and even anxious to go along and help set-up! What a gift they are to me!

It's a "MOPS" morning!

I just love the first Thursday of the month because that means we have MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers). Its such a great morning out, and such a great time of sharing and visiting with other moms, and to top off the morning we get a catered luncheon! Its a gift and a sweet bit of pampering.

*Just in case you were wondering I still have about 8 loads of laundry left, it never goes away just continue to grow! Maybe today it will get caught-up but I highly doubt it! I guess it will be there no matter what!

Popcorn and Public Television

My oldest son called me this morning, from Africa, and as we

were chatting Victoria kept asking for "op-orn". Being the stern

mom that I am I said "yes" and popped her a bag. She wanted to

watch a fav show of hers on PBS and eat her popcorn in her

stroller (demanding little thing isn't she???) so of course,

I let her. This is how I found her after I did yet "another" load

of laundry. Isn't it just the cutest ever???????

off went the educational program and on came

Christmas tunes!

another day at it!
Not much going on around here this week, just trying to get back into the swing of life. Having been sick pretty much the entire weekend I didn't do any laundry to speak of. When I went into the "dark hole", yesterday, to begin the job of sorting and making piles, I got a bit overwhelmed; I not only had piles in the laundry room but they also spilled out into the familyroom too! I counted and there were 20 loads. (Seriously I honestly don't mind doing laundry, its the putting away that I loathe) I got the washer humming away and began the rest of my morning chores. By mid afternoon when I had gotten a text from Den asking what I was doing I imformed him that it was STILL laundry and that I had done 10 loads. The worst part to this whole scenario is that by bedtime there would be more and that you just can't ever get "caught-up". The mountain just continues to grow...............

Well, its 5:30am and I am back at it again today. I have noticed that there must be some big mice down there because the piles keep getting messed-up. . . . .(boys looking for something particular and not caring if it washed or not).

This is also my last week of classes and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to have this semester come to an end. Tough classes! enough said!

I really need to get myself in gear, as we have a busy morning on tap today. I drop Brett and Blake off at school, 7:15, drop Jacqueline off at school for an early morning choir rehearsal at 7:45; Colson catches the bus at 8:15 and then get myself and Victoria ready for the day. So thankful for dark mornings because I rarely get dressed to take the kids to school!! If any of you take your kids to school do you dress beforehand??? just curious. I know I am not the only one around these parts to do this because I have heard from several other moms that they do the same thing! I was thinking one morning we should all just get together for coffee in our pj's! How fun!

Well gotta run and get life in "full-swing". First stop is to turn on the coffee maker. AHHHH........I so look forward to that each morning (however, the past 5 days I haven't been able to smell it or taste it, and thats a complete downer)

Doesn't she have just the finest taste in jewelry?

Instead of jewels and beads, she prefers. . . .

camo dog necklaces!

3 Cheers for a SnowDay!!!!
We have, at least, 6+ inches of snow, maybe more and its still snowing! What a gift to extend our Thanksgiving Holiday with another day off! I was rocking Victoria this morning, 1:30am, and Branden, Bryan and Ben had just come in from playing out in the snow. They were so excited because they built the younger kids a snow fort! How cute is that???? 23, 21, and a 19 year old, my little boys, playing in the snow. I LOVE IT!