I got the following from: http://lindasworld-lindasworld.blogspot.com/

"I was tagged by my friend Trees in her Garden of Hope blog. What you're supposed to do is go into your fourth folder of pictures and take the fourth picture in that folder and post it. So here goes; this is the fourth picture in my fourth folder~"

You need to go to Linda's blog to see the picture she posted. It's adorable.

So I went into my fourth folder and posted my fourth picture. My picture is at the top - The Eiffle Tower. This was take in April, 2007. I want to go back SO bad. I need at least 2 weeks in Paris to see and do the things I want to do. Ahhhh, my heart is aching right now... I'm longing. LOL

Good Week

We had a good week around here. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather. For all of you stuck in the snow, you may want to skip the next 2 sentences .......... It's been in the mid 80's with clear, beautiful skies. Perfect.

I spoke with my son last night. He passed the biggest tests he will have while in the Sheriff's academy this week. He's pretty much home free (knock on wood). He and eleven other recruits were called into the office yesterday before their lunch break. Their sergeant told them, "You men are my top twelve." Wow... What an accomplishment. I'm so proud of my son's commitment and achievements. The twelve men were offered the 12 patrol jobs that are open at this time. It is a real honor to get out of the academy and go right to patrol. Most go to the jail for a few years or to the court system before going out on patrol. Some never go to patrol.

Of course, as his mom, I have mixed feelings about his new job. I have anxiety about the fact that he will be putting his life on the line every day to serve and protect our community but I trust his judgement and his training. I also know that the Sheriff's department needs men of character and they will have one in him.

My husband has a ski trip coming up. He is leaving on Jan. 24 and will be home on Jan. 31. He and his ski club are going to Big Sky in Montana for a week of skiing and fun. I don't ski so it's a waste of my time and our money for me to go. He's been skiing for over 40 years and it's one of his passions so I encourage him to go.

Now, you would think I could plan lots of fun things to do while he's gone. I would but I got called for Jury Duty. How fun is that? It's not. Darn. I got called for U.S. District Court which means I'll get paid but big whoop. It's not very much. I would rather go to the beach or my sister's. Maybe I'll get excused on the first day because I have a family member in law enforcement. I hope I'm that lucky.

I went grocery shopping today. They had a good sale on spices so I bought eight different ones, some salt and pepper, and some chicken taco seasoning for my daughter's bridal shower. The shower is going to have a Kitchen/Bathroom Theme. I am making her a recipe book with all of her favorite recipes. All the invited guests are getting a recipe card with the invitation so they can add to the book. I thought between now and then, I would pick up a few things each time I grocery shop to help stock her pantry. Two of my aunts did that for me when I got married and it really helped us out.

More soon.

Whoops!

I forgot to give credit for the previous post. I received that cute story from my friend, Virginia, via email this morning. When I re-read the post, it sounded like I was telling a personal story.

My five-year old students are learning to read.
Yesterday one of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said, 'Look at this! It's a frickin' elephant!' I took a deep breath, then asked...'What did you call it?''It's a frickin' elephant! It says so on the picture!' And so it does...




' A f r i c a n Elephant '


Hooked on phonics! Ain't it wonderful?

Happy New Year!

Andrew opening his Ironman toys
with his Mommy helping him.




Nathan as Indiana Jones






(l to r) Megan, Nathan, Andrew, Matthew







Nathan is playing guitar while his sister sings.






Megan entertaining us by singing Christmas songs.

Matthew in his goggles with his Nerf gun.

He's a character!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year will bring peace, happiness, and happiness. I hope it is going to turn out a lot better than what is being projected.

We had a nice Christmas Holiday. My brother and his wife came for the first time in over 10 years. It was a thrill for me, my sister, and my mother to have all the siblings together. My sister-in-law is a changed woman. Up until a year ago, we had no relationship at all. She had the attitude that we were my brother's family and she married HIM not US. In 25 years of marriage, we were invited to their home twice. After some traumatic times with her blowing her top (after drinking too much), we just gave up trying to have anything to do with them.

A few years ago, my SIL was effected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. It hit her hard and fast. To try to get some of her life back, she saw a doctor who specializes in RA and she started going to an acupuncturist. Thelittle Chinese doctor, told my SIL that in order to get better she had to let go of all the anger, resentment and bitterness in her heart. Carrying those toxic emotions and feelings were keeping her from being healthy.

Over a few years, she really worked on healing her inner self and since May of 2006, we have been building a relationship. She has softened and she has been loving and kind. It is something I NEVER expected to happen and I am so grateful that things are so much better.

I learned Never to say Never. LOL

I posted a few pictures of our grandchildren which were taken during our family celebration. We had such a good time with them.

In Memory of Jill..................

I am so sad to write that Jill passed away last night. She was surrounded by her family, Steven and his family, hospice workers, and friends from high school.

A 4.0 Student, chosen as 1 of 100 outstanding high school kids in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jill was loved, respected, and admired by everyone who knew her.

Please send prayers to all who loved her. This is a very sad time for our family.

Busy Saturday

Wow! It's the Saturday before Christmas and all through my house I am scampering around cleaning and picking up the big chunks. LOL

I want to get my house cleaned today because my sister arrives tomorrow and my Mom next Tuesday. It will take the pressure off if I get organized.



I talked to a friend of mine this morning. She told me she woke up this morning with a desire to go to the mall and walk around. Her shopping is done but she loves the hectic pace at the mall and likes to watch people as they try to finish their shopping. My reaction, "You're nuts!" LOL



I haven't been inside the mall since before Thanksgiving. The closest I got was going to Target which is across the street. Thank God for online shopping! I do not like being in crowds especially crowds of people with glazed over eyes, frantically looking for just the right thing for Uncle Bob. The pushing, frantic pace is too much for me. I will admit, most people are more friendly this time of year but I'll pass up the chance to say, "Excuse me, please." to a stranger as I push toward the long check out line.



I probably sound Bah Humbug and cranky but I'm not really. I'm excited about Christmas and spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren.

I am finished shopping early because this year we are only buying gifts for our grandchildren. It looks pretty bare under the tree compared to most years. I have struggled to make it OK to limit my spending and to cut back. I felt guilty and uneasy for awhile but this morning, I read the weekend devotional by Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship. I'd like to share part of it with you:

'That is what happens when we lose focus of the real meaning of Christmas, isn't it? We get so caught up in the busyness of the season that sometimes we forget the wonder of it all: that deity took on humanity, that God became a man.Scripture sums it up well in 2 Corinthians 8:9, which says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (NKJV). Jesus literally went from the throne of heaven to a simple little cave or stable.

Can you imagine what must have gone through Mary's mind that day when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her she would be the mother of the Messiah? Her head must have been swimming. "What about Joseph? What are people going to say?"

But God had it all put together, because the time was just right in every way.There was one small detail: the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, as Scripture prophesied (see Micah 5:2). But Mary and her husband-to-be Joseph lived in Nazareth. So the Lord touched a little man ( Caeser) who was big in his own mind.................................This Jesus who was born in a manger, who walked this earth, who was crucified, and who rose again, is not some mere historical figure, although He was that. He is alive, and He is still in the business of changing lives.That is the reason He came: to put us in touch with God, to forgive us of all of our sins, and to give our lives purpose and meaning. "

All I can say is "Amen".

May God richly bless your Christmas season and may he bless your new year with happiness and good health.