WE'RE HOME!!!

My house is trashed but it feels SO good! I am grateful for our good friends PJ, Gregg and Georgia. The opened their home to us (which is not a small thing, considering we are a family of five) fed us and gave us a place to sleep. Gregg entertained us with his music and gave us a place to play. Yea, Wii golf! Thank you my friends, we love you!

I talked to Mom, they are without cell service again. She said they are doing well and adapting to live without power. Thank goodness for natural gas! They are staying warm and very popular. Dad, being an electrician is the most popular guy around! I invited them to come stay with us but she said they are needed there. I forget that Dad gets lots of attention when times are tough.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers at such a tough time. We really feel the love.

These pics were made the other day. Joe stayed home and braved the outdoors. He loves to take pictures too and did a great job of it! All of these are made around our property. You may recognise some of the sights. Levi looking frosty.

Out on the curb.

Naomi is loving it!

Out back, my girl is made for the weather.

The natural part of our yard.

The fence around the basketball court.

Snow angel.

MY snow angel.

Cool!!

THE LATEST

We are at a friends house, lost power 5 1/2 hours ago. The house was getting cold and the invite came in! When we left quite a few of our BIG pines had lost their tops, sad. Still way minor compared to many things in this world.

I spoke with Mom earlier and she said they had been without power for quite some time. 19,000 out of the 26,000 in their city was without power, phone reception and more. My parents have a gas fireplace that is keeping them warm.

So, once again, with a prayer request. That power is restored quickly and those with out shelter will find the comfort they need. That the workers are safe and damage is minimal.

Thank you all for your prayer!

UPDATE

We lost one of the big sections of the tree outside our back door. Joe said he wanted to remove it anyway....cross 1 job off the list!

One big pine tree lost its top, and that is only the trees I know of.

WE THOUGHT YESTERDAY WAS BAD

In the past 24 hours we have seen freezing rain, a little thaw, more freezing rain, and now snow! Lots of it!!! We had a power outage (thankfully for only 4 hours) and lots of togetherness. Now when you go outside you can hear what sounds like a gun go off. In reality it is the sound of massive limbs breaking. They have ask that people stay off the roads due to ice and downed limbs. We are in for an adventure....stay tuned. The tree yesterday morning.

This morning.

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!...not

There was a winter storm warning for our region last night until today. In years past, everyone would get excited with little return. With today's advanced technology, most predictions come true. So when the rain started around 1 am I was prepared for a day off school. I was hoping for the snow that was predicted too but it seems we were only blessed with freezing rain. There is still snow in the forecast, just don't know if we will see it! Just enough to make it very unsafe for traveling. Joe took it slow to work and made it there safe.

Our poor dogs, braving the slippery slopes to relieve themselves. We let their hair grow out on their pads for a reason!

SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT

My baby is growing up! We are counting down the days until her next birthday. I find it hard to believe that she is already as old as she is. It seem like she is changing daily with her looks and attitude. Some days are obviously better than others but it's all an adventure! Her newest look! Yes, Meme, you called it! She got her ears pierced a couple of weeks ago but I didn't want to post it until she pulled her tooth (it was barely hanging on) she kept it in with her bottom teeth!

SOMETHINGS DIFFERENT...

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

These pictures are for those of you who live in the warmer climates. Think of the lovely waterfalls that you see. Think how beautiful and refreshing they are....

Now, think about 0 degree temperatures. Think how your lovely waterfalls would turn into icicles. Think how everything is frozen in time, just waiting for warmer weather.

This is the scene from the recent trip to the farm. Cold and beautiful!

MOVING FORWARD, slowly

The weather has been COLD lately (if you haven't noticed), and we all know that tends to slow progress down. I kind of works for me since I am not as motivated to get out in the cold weather either. And I DO want to keep up with the progress of the house so slow and steady it is! We braved the temperatures Sunday to take a peak at the latest updates. I think it is really coming along nicely. Almost twins, Papaw and Levi.

You know my baby can't be left out of a photo opportunity!

Coming up the hill, one of the first places you can get a good look.

Almost home.

Around the back. This is the start of the hill that we spent so much time on this summer, straight down to the right.

WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR????

Did you see the game last night? Thoughts???

THE WORDS I READ

It isn't the cost that makes something dear. It is the torment that accompanies a gift.

WE HAVE A PLAN....

For a family reunion! A very rough plan, I might add, but that's where they all start. The thought was to have it this year in October at one of the local parks in my hometown. I tried to talk to everyone at the funeral and get their feelings on this and everyone seemed very receptive. I think it will do my Aunt Mary a lot of good, reconnect with the family after years of being home bound taking care of my uncle.

Now, I have a request (you didn't think you were going to get off easy did you???).

I need ideas! I have a few of my own but would like to hear from anyone who has been to a reunion that was really fun or just something that they think would be cool. I was thinking of putting together a book to give out. So ideas on questions for that would be nice too.

I need help getting the word out! Family members that read this blog, get your address book out and send it in. I need to get an updated list of our family members. Since this will be the first reunion in a long time we don't want to leave anyone out.

So, what do you think, are you willing to help???

THE PASSING

This is a prayer request for the family of my Uncle Ben, who passed away Sunday. That we will find peace in his death and comfort in knowing that he has gone home to our Lord. That we all realize the value of our lives and live them to the fullest. That we forget and forgive those that have wronged us, and remember the love that we have been given. Let it multiply and flourish with great abundance.

The funeral will be Thursday with family traveling from all over.

BRINGING UP THE FARM

I haven't posted about the farm in a while. On a recent mild day we made it out to enjoy ourselves and the day. We went down Crystal Valley and I found a beauty of a rock. We went hunting mistletoe and found this tree where it was growing abundantly. After Joe risks his life for some, I look over and it is growing at arms length from a tree near by. It was a beautiful day full of fun and new discovery.
Joe, out on a limb.

Just getting started, it's all fun.

Naomi with a wild boar. He seems pretty tame right now, but you just don't know when that's going to change!

Levi, showing his brute strength. He can hold Naomi up with one hand! I told him eating all his spinach would pay off!

TURNING ON THE LIGHT

My morning view. This is made a few minutes after sun rise. My first visions were of a line of gold, low and flat. Naomi wanted to take a picture, I didn't want to go out in the cold. Now that I see the beauty I was able to capture from my kitchen window (without going outside) I am sorry I don't have a picture to share. It was really beautiful. Winter time.

Beautiful.

Now, I'm sitting here enjoying the evening. I notice that I haven't updated on my new look (other than the candle holders) and wanted to take a picture of the rug we put in the kitchen area. I really like it and am going to paint my grout the color of the middle color. Once I took the first picture, I realized it didn't show the real color. That's why there are two. So, I couldn't resist taking a picture of Joe and went for the one that shows a more natural light. Well, I wasn't happy with results, so I took another one with a different light. I was very pleased with the results. Now the kids have gathered around to play on the carpet.

I thought I would bring some light to your day.

Nice and bright, even flash looks clean and shiny.

More natural colors, dirt and all.

The first one, not looking right.

Very pleased, I captured Joe in true form.

FUN STUFF

I am planning to post later, but after a good laugh, I thought I should share. For a good laugh, click here. You can always click on a picture to see it up close. Stay tuned, I'll post later.

RECENT GIFT

For Christmas, I got these really cool candle holders. I am using them a little different than intended but I like the look. It fits into our decor perfectly and easy to change. Thanks Mom!

SCHOOL'S BACK IN SESSION

I have a special request, it only takes a minute. Please say a prayer for our students returning today from their holiday. I know it will be especially hard for some more than others. I pray that everyone will be able to focus on their studies and make good choices.

And have fun.

Thank you and God Bless!

JUST THINKING...

I wanted to post about these over the holidays but time got away from me.

I don't know about you, but chocolate covered cherries are one of my favorite things (I have quite a few you know). I love that they are so cheap around the holidays and can be found at most stores. I always try to pick up a few boxes, but they are gone before I know it. There are some hazards to eating them (besides the obvious weight gain) like dripping the inside out. I am always tempted to look at the middle and have ended with a mess a few times!Like the time I dripped some of the syrup onto the telephone key pad, that was bad. Mm, good.

A FUNNY BOY

Can anyone tell me what's funny about this picture???

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We started off the new year with friends. Everyone had a great time which is really something considering the wide age of people. The youngest being 4 and the oldest...well, that's not really necessary. We started the night off with a little food, which was delicious. Then moved to playing the game Buzz Word. I had never played before so I was not much help, but it was fun no less.



We also celebrated Sarah and Gregg's birthday (two days apart) with a cake that the kids devoured. Midnight came before we knew it and we were counting down with Dick Clark with joy. The kids did great with staying up late even though the excitement was overwhelming for some.



One of the best New Years yet. I'm betting that 2008 has to be better than 2009! Georgia, Veda and Levi drooling on the cake.

The kids playing Guitar Hero before all the celebrating.

Naomi and Marqi in their home made party hats waiting for the countdown.

The youth of the party. Georgia, Elijah, Marqi, Anna, Naomi, Levi and Veda.

The "older" crowd. Back row: Wes and David. Middle row: Me, Sarah, Joe and PJ. One the couch: Gregg, Ally, and Bonnie. Gregg decided that he didn't like the posed pictures as much at the candid ones that night. I think we all look great and shows what a good time we had!