Christmas 2015

Just a quick hello this evening to say..... Merry Christmas to all our family, framily and friends near and far! 

An 80th Birthday Celebration

Today (December 10th) my Mom celebrates her 80th birthday. Last weekend all the siblings (minus Gordon - Vickie's husband - who was unable to attend) came together to host an open house in her honor with friends stopping by from both near and far, some family members were able to make it, and even a few neighbors stopped in to wish her well.  

Joy made table centerpieces; the ladies made lots and lots of treats for all to enjoy.   Sarah decorated with photos from both the past and present representing all of Mom's 80 years. 

...

Thank you to all that were able to attend and make this such a memorable day for Mom.  
She truly enjoyed herself.  
And thank you also to those that sent cards and made phone calls.  Your thoughtfulness was a wonderful gift to her.

  

A Day to be Thankful

Thanksgiving is a day to think about all that life gives and remember the things we are grateful for all year long.  Life is a game and a journey filled with choices.  A choice to be thankful for all that is around us or a choice to covet the things we don't have.  I choose to appreciate all that I have, the experiences I've enjoyed and the friends and family that have enriched my life a long the way.

• I've had the opportunity to travel the world, seeing things many only dream of.......a brand new, new born rhinoceros milk for the first time in South Africa, the pink sand of Harbour Island, the Redwoods and Sequoias of California, spectacular mountains all over the West.  And of course the breath taking hands of Mother Nature and God painting the sky as the world lights up each morning and goes to bed at night.                                   

• I am one of the few girls in the world lucky enough to have married a man that is not just my husband, but my best friend.  The person I want to share each day and every new experience with.  The Mr. also gave me family that treats me with respect and graciousness.

• My life started with parents that taught me to be independent (much to their chagrin at times), and self sufficient.  They instilled integrity, honor, and strength in my being.....traits that have served me well in life.  Though we've certainly had our times we haven't gotten along over the years, and I'm probably not around as much as I should be, Mom and Dad are who I have to thank for being the grounded, resilient person I am today.

• Through hard work and at times sacrifice, we are able to live in a beautiful area, and have a nice home filled with the many hobbies we enjoy.  

• We have friends near and far, many who have become far more family than just friends.  Many have seen us at both our best and our worst.....and still stand by our sides.  They have shared our adventures as we navigate life.....some with a smile and some with a "You REALLY want to do that?" look on their face.  Some have given us a boot in the butt when necessary.  All have enlightened and supported us along the way.

• I have an awesome dog that loves me no matter my mood.   Casey is far more my kid than my dog, but nonetheless, she brightens my day continually and makes me laugh.  Ida just came to live with us and is the cuddler and lover that everyone needs at the end of the day.  Not everyone is as lucky as we are to have not one, but two dogs that are that "special" one.

This is just a short list of the many things I have to be grateful for on this fine, cold, a bit blustery, snowing Thanksgiving morning.  But hey, I get to enjoy all four seasons of the year and I am blessed to be sitting in a warm home watching the world wake-up and have the warm clothes in my closet when it's time to venture out.  It's true....A blessed life I have.

SNOW Men In Black

You've all heard of the movie "Men In Black".  However, Hollywood has nothin' on the SNOW Men In Black.  

Watch out aliens.....these guys are here to save the world!

 
 

3 Generations of Snow men.

Family Photos

Over the weekend I had the privilege to photograph one of my good friend's family.  They are all so photogenic and so much fun to hang with!   Here's a couple from our session.  Can't wait until next time!

Veterans: Remembering Those Who Faught/Fight for Our Freedoms

A poem that proudly hangs on our wall, paying tribute to those who signed - then cashed the ultimate check, payable to our nation and her people. God bless the souls as they slumber, and their families as they remember their sacrifices. May all have peace. Might we all take a moment of silence and remember those who gave their lives, and those that sacrificed a portion of their lives for us all to enjoy our lives in this grand land - The United States of America.

The Sentinels

An April Morn’ in sixty eight, my country called my name

“Step forward now, and seal thy fate, think not of glory or fame.”

I didn’t want to run and hide, or steal into the night

Instead I stood beneath the Flag, and held my hand up high

Inducted now, and scared to death, a soldier I would be

For Family, God and Country, NEVER would I flee

I stood with men, and knew them well, as one by one they fell

And there I stood, with heart in hand, and heard the Old Church Bell

My heart was hard as granite rock as Headstones did I roam

And read the names upon the graves, of soldiers I had known

No tears were shed, but standing tall, in silence I remember

The souls I knew, Soldiers all, that now lie here in slumber

The years have passed, my dreams now quiet, and since then I have cried

I hear the bugle, see the flag, my heart still fills with pride

There is a wall, of granite built, whose face displays the names

Of Iron Men, and Women Resolved, whose fate was not in vain

Sentinels Tall, who risked their all, their fate then took a turn

And dealt them less than we have now, their bodies now interned

Their spirit lives, and slowly walks, thru fields filled with flowers

Watching us, and helping us, when we reach our own dark hours

I’ll never know, why they, not me , were chosen for to die

I only know this Remembrance Day:  I’ll have a tear in eye.

My family lives, and plays and grows, in a country free of strives

Because of Sentinels, strong and true, who bravely gave their lives.

~~Unnkown Veteran  5/06