Well, it's been an interesting few weeks here, but it looks like Kris is closer to being back to normal--Yea!!! :-) I am so glad that his incisions have not continued to cause him trouble. Tomorrow morning he goes to the surgeon and should probably be "released." We don't see any reason that she would keep him under restrictions. Kris has paced himself and been able to go to work more this week. He has worn out more quickly than I think he would've expected, but his energy is getting better each day. God is good and has sustained us through the last three weeks.
In the midst of all that has happened in recent weeks, I was still able to be in the opera at the center for the arts. I have enjoyed so much being in the Chorale these last few years and most recently becoming a Camerata member last year. Chorale has nearly 100 members, and Camerata is a smaller chamber group with about 25 members this year. The center for the arts here in Midland is really amazing! So many first-rate performances are put on. We've taken the girls to several fun plays and musicals, and I of course, have loved the performing side of things in many concerts from Handel's Messiah, Brahm's Requiem, Beethoven's Ninth, to some Broadway with Doug LaBreque, Jodi Benson, etc. This last weekend we did Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Camerata did all of the chorus parts, and it was fun, even though it came at a time that was hard with Kris being down. We had rehearsals nearly every night last week, and then did two performances. Kris told me to go ahead and do it and that he would be fine with the girls. Thankfully it all worked out. He's so wonderful! :-)
Tomorrow will be a big day with our school's Grandparent's Day. Every class from K-3 to 6th grade will be presenting songs, verses, poems, etc. to Grandparents. I get to conduct my classes (K-5 through 2nd grades), and I will also do the 3rd and 4th grade choir, as well as 5th and 6th grade choir. Their music teacher is taking the secondary school band students to a festival tomorrow. Kris is going to lead the elementary band for him, as they will also perform for Grandparent's Day. It should be lots of fun. Both of our girls will be part of the "festivities." I do get a bit sad for them each year when this day happens at school. Kris's parents are both with the Lord now, and so I choke up about that, but then my parents also can't be here because they live in SC. That adds to the emotion as well. I've seen some sadness in the girls' eyes recently as they realize the truth about both sets of grandparents not being here tomorrow, but we talk about the wonderful blessing of having them and/or the heritage from them. Thankfully we have a very good friend who comes to Grandparent's Day and is the girls' pretend grandma. We are so thankful for her!
Well, that's the latest with us. We continue to stay busy. . . . I'm reminded to be still and know that God is God. How grateful I am for my Heavenly Father!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Unexpected Events
Just in case you were wondering if I was going to take another long break from blogging, I thought I would assure you that I am still here. :-) There have been a few things going on lately that have kept me from blogging. This picture will be a good start to my story:
Most of you who read my blog already heard the news through other means, but maybe you've been out of the loop. The story behind the picture is this:
Kris had an emergency appendectomy on March 29. The night before, he asked me if I knew anything about ulcers. I obviously thought that was a strange question to bring up "out of the blue." There was no indication to me that Kris had not been feeling well. We discussed ulcers as much as I knew how to, and then I realized that Kris was holding his lower abdomen, and I knew that ulcers where in the stomach. He was talking about the area near his large intestine. I mentioned that it must be something else and thought maybe he had an intestinal "bug" or something. He said he had felt nauseated and sore all the way across. To my surprise, I found out he had not felt quite right all week, and especially that day things were really bothering him. I realized that when he rubbed his hand all the way across his lower abdomen that he was stopping on the right side. Right before we went to sleep, I asked him if he was noticing more pain on that side than anywhere. He wasn't so sure, but thought maybe it was more bothersome there. Well, that's when I thought appendix. He just wasn't sure that it could be that though, and so we went to sleep, thinking we would see how he was in the morning.
He woke up between 2 and 3 AM and noticed he was really having pain and it WAS getting more localized to the right side. By 6 AM he woke me up and said that the pain was getting really bad and he couldn't take it anymore. It was confirmed through a CT Scan in the ER that he had appendicitis and needed surgery right away. A surgical team was put together and by 11:30, Kris was in the OR having laparoscopic surgery. We thank the Lord that the appendix did not rupture, but it was in real need of coming out. The surgeon said that it was quite enlarged and very inflamed with fluid built up around it. It was on it's way to a worse situation. Praise the Lord that Kris knew he needed to get to the ER!
Recovery was going well until last Thurs. Kris knew that his middle incision wasn't right. There was some fluid present. A nurse he talked to told him to put a bandage over it and just to watch things. Well, by late that afternoon, he was bleeding. He had an infected hematoma that had developed. He had to be opened up to have the infection removed and his wound cleaned--not fun! The surgeon gave local anesthetic through injections and was able to do the procedure in her office Fri. morning. Thankfully that incision is looking good and healing well now, but guess what? Just when Kris was feeling much better and thinking he was well on his way to being back to normal, he had the same thing happen to one of his other incisions. It hadn't been a problem at all until we noticed on Mon. that it was a little irritated-looking. It actually looked better by yesterday morning, but then things turned around by the afternoon. By last night it was protruding and looked bad! He was waiting for a phone call from his surgeon. Well, before he talked with her, the incision ruptured. :-( He had to go in this morning and have the same procedure done. Poor guy! He's gone almost 36 yrs. without even a broken bone or stitches, and this has been his introduction to the ER, IVs, stitches, etc. He has handled everything very well. :-) Please pray that infections are over now and that he will fully be recovered soon. The surgeon told us that it is all from the appendix being on the brink of rupturing and bacteria getting into his abdominal area. It went to the incisions because they are more suceptible. Kris has been discouraged by the setbacks, but he continues to rest in God and His sovereignty.
Isn't it wonderful to know we have a God who loves us and always knows what is going on in our lives. He cares! He's not taken by surprise at anything that happens with us. He is working all things for our good and His glory. We want Him to be seen and to receive glory through what He has allowed recently. We have much to be thankful for! Kris didn't have this happen the week of Easter or when we had already gone out of town for Spring Break. We know that God could've worked in those things too. We just thank Him for the timing that we did have. Kris has talked about having a better understanding now of people in pain and physical struggles that aren't pleasant or that we want to "be done now." We have to realize again our dependence on God and be patient in waiting for His timing in our feeling better. I have thanked God during this for His grace that IS sufficient and how He has allowed me to do more than what I normally feel well doing. I have had 3 kids to take care of. ha ha :-) Seriously though, I have gained a better appreciation for what single moms do. I have always known that I have the best husband in the world and that he helps me tremendously with stuff around the house and with the girls. We are such a team. Having your teammate out of commission brings a lot of change. Our God is enough though. He supplies our needs and gives the strength to endure. He has given us wonderful friends to help us with some meals, watching the girls, etc. My friends are gifts from God and true blessings!
Thank you for your continued prayers for Kris to get better. Hopefully my updates will include news of healed incisions and Kris's getting back to work and normal life. He is enjoying reading and listening to messages on his Ipod in the meantime. It's been a good time of rest for him that he needed anyway. :-)
Most of you who read my blog already heard the news through other means, but maybe you've been out of the loop. The story behind the picture is this:
Kris had an emergency appendectomy on March 29. The night before, he asked me if I knew anything about ulcers. I obviously thought that was a strange question to bring up "out of the blue." There was no indication to me that Kris had not been feeling well. We discussed ulcers as much as I knew how to, and then I realized that Kris was holding his lower abdomen, and I knew that ulcers where in the stomach. He was talking about the area near his large intestine. I mentioned that it must be something else and thought maybe he had an intestinal "bug" or something. He said he had felt nauseated and sore all the way across. To my surprise, I found out he had not felt quite right all week, and especially that day things were really bothering him. I realized that when he rubbed his hand all the way across his lower abdomen that he was stopping on the right side. Right before we went to sleep, I asked him if he was noticing more pain on that side than anywhere. He wasn't so sure, but thought maybe it was more bothersome there. Well, that's when I thought appendix. He just wasn't sure that it could be that though, and so we went to sleep, thinking we would see how he was in the morning.
He woke up between 2 and 3 AM and noticed he was really having pain and it WAS getting more localized to the right side. By 6 AM he woke me up and said that the pain was getting really bad and he couldn't take it anymore. It was confirmed through a CT Scan in the ER that he had appendicitis and needed surgery right away. A surgical team was put together and by 11:30, Kris was in the OR having laparoscopic surgery. We thank the Lord that the appendix did not rupture, but it was in real need of coming out. The surgeon said that it was quite enlarged and very inflamed with fluid built up around it. It was on it's way to a worse situation. Praise the Lord that Kris knew he needed to get to the ER!
Recovery was going well until last Thurs. Kris knew that his middle incision wasn't right. There was some fluid present. A nurse he talked to told him to put a bandage over it and just to watch things. Well, by late that afternoon, he was bleeding. He had an infected hematoma that had developed. He had to be opened up to have the infection removed and his wound cleaned--not fun! The surgeon gave local anesthetic through injections and was able to do the procedure in her office Fri. morning. Thankfully that incision is looking good and healing well now, but guess what? Just when Kris was feeling much better and thinking he was well on his way to being back to normal, he had the same thing happen to one of his other incisions. It hadn't been a problem at all until we noticed on Mon. that it was a little irritated-looking. It actually looked better by yesterday morning, but then things turned around by the afternoon. By last night it was protruding and looked bad! He was waiting for a phone call from his surgeon. Well, before he talked with her, the incision ruptured. :-( He had to go in this morning and have the same procedure done. Poor guy! He's gone almost 36 yrs. without even a broken bone or stitches, and this has been his introduction to the ER, IVs, stitches, etc. He has handled everything very well. :-) Please pray that infections are over now and that he will fully be recovered soon. The surgeon told us that it is all from the appendix being on the brink of rupturing and bacteria getting into his abdominal area. It went to the incisions because they are more suceptible. Kris has been discouraged by the setbacks, but he continues to rest in God and His sovereignty.
Isn't it wonderful to know we have a God who loves us and always knows what is going on in our lives. He cares! He's not taken by surprise at anything that happens with us. He is working all things for our good and His glory. We want Him to be seen and to receive glory through what He has allowed recently. We have much to be thankful for! Kris didn't have this happen the week of Easter or when we had already gone out of town for Spring Break. We know that God could've worked in those things too. We just thank Him for the timing that we did have. Kris has talked about having a better understanding now of people in pain and physical struggles that aren't pleasant or that we want to "be done now." We have to realize again our dependence on God and be patient in waiting for His timing in our feeling better. I have thanked God during this for His grace that IS sufficient and how He has allowed me to do more than what I normally feel well doing. I have had 3 kids to take care of. ha ha :-) Seriously though, I have gained a better appreciation for what single moms do. I have always known that I have the best husband in the world and that he helps me tremendously with stuff around the house and with the girls. We are such a team. Having your teammate out of commission brings a lot of change. Our God is enough though. He supplies our needs and gives the strength to endure. He has given us wonderful friends to help us with some meals, watching the girls, etc. My friends are gifts from God and true blessings!
Thank you for your continued prayers for Kris to get better. Hopefully my updates will include news of healed incisions and Kris's getting back to work and normal life. He is enjoying reading and listening to messages on his Ipod in the meantime. It's been a good time of rest for him that he needed anyway. :-)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
He is risen--He is risen indeed!!!
I pray you are having a blessed Easter, celebrating our risen Savior with family and friends. We have already had a good day today. This morning Kris and Olivia headed out to the Easter breakfast at church. Emma has been sick with something since Fri. She has been running a fever. :-( Thankfully though, I was able to set her up in Kris's office with a movie, and I sang in the cantata this morning. We had dinner with our dear friends, Michael, Jenny and Aaron Muth, as well as Jenny's parents, Cheryl and Dan Forbes. Emma sat away from any people not in our family. Cheryl is Emma's 2nd gr. teacher this year. They graciously had Easter dinner at the church so that we wouldn't be far from home and could get home to rest this afternoon. We are doing the cantata again this evening. Pray that Kris doesn't crash too hard after this busy day. ;-) We are thrilled to be able to present the Gospel in song today. There were professions of faith this morning, and we pray there will be more tonight.
Here are some pics from today. I will post more later.
I pray you are having a blessed Easter, celebrating our risen Savior with family and friends. We have already had a good day today. This morning Kris and Olivia headed out to the Easter breakfast at church. Emma has been sick with something since Fri. She has been running a fever. :-( Thankfully though, I was able to set her up in Kris's office with a movie, and I sang in the cantata this morning. We had dinner with our dear friends, Michael, Jenny and Aaron Muth, as well as Jenny's parents, Cheryl and Dan Forbes. Emma sat away from any people not in our family. Cheryl is Emma's 2nd gr. teacher this year. They graciously had Easter dinner at the church so that we wouldn't be far from home and could get home to rest this afternoon. We are doing the cantata again this evening. Pray that Kris doesn't crash too hard after this busy day. ;-) We are thrilled to be able to present the Gospel in song today. There were professions of faith this morning, and we pray there will be more tonight.
Here are some pics from today. I will post more later.
Friday, March 21, 2008
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
On this Good Friday, I am thinking of the amazing love of our Heavenly Father. Many passages of Scripture have been on my mind, especially the Gospel accounts of Christ's suffering for us. I also am reminded of one of my favorite songs. You can check out the lyrics here.
What a wonderful Savior!
What a wonderful Savior!
Happy Spring!
Well, my calendar does say that Spring came yesterday. Michigan never really quite understands that though. :-) Hey, we did have a sunny day, even though our wind chills were in the 20's yesterday. I seriously am thankful for the sun. It makes a difference in the midst of the cold. In the last couple of weeks, we have had more sunny days, heard birds start singing again, and even had some rain that SMELLED like Spring! That has been very exciting.
Olivia has asked for a long time when all the snow would be gone and when summer would come again. She just skipped over the thought of having a season in between. That is about right though in this state. ha ha Her excitement these last couple of days has cracked me up. Two days ago she ran to the sliding glass door, yelling, "Mommy, Mommy, look!!!" I asked what was going on and she said, "I can see WOOD chips! And, I see DIRT around the tree. Do you see the dirt, Mommy?!?" I just hugged her and said, "Yes, I do. Are you excited that the snow is going away, and we can see the ground?" A hearty, "YES!" came out of the child. :-) She hasn't really loved winter here. Later that day, as we were driving to the store, she made sure she pointed out how so much grass is now showing in various places (along the ramp to the highway, in front of a business near the red light, etc.). The grass isn't even very green yet, but to her, she sees an exciting, colorful world emerging as the snow melts away.
I'm reminded to be thankful for what we do have and not always wish for the "better" thing (tulips, daffodils, leaves, etc.). Those will come in time. Most importantly, I'm reminded that my joy should not be based on my circumstances, but found in Christ each day. I am so glad that He is in control, and I can rest in Him for what is best for us, even in the weather here in MI.
Olivia has asked for a long time when all the snow would be gone and when summer would come again. She just skipped over the thought of having a season in between. That is about right though in this state. ha ha Her excitement these last couple of days has cracked me up. Two days ago she ran to the sliding glass door, yelling, "Mommy, Mommy, look!!!" I asked what was going on and she said, "I can see WOOD chips! And, I see DIRT around the tree. Do you see the dirt, Mommy?!?" I just hugged her and said, "Yes, I do. Are you excited that the snow is going away, and we can see the ground?" A hearty, "YES!" came out of the child. :-) She hasn't really loved winter here. Later that day, as we were driving to the store, she made sure she pointed out how so much grass is now showing in various places (along the ramp to the highway, in front of a business near the red light, etc.). The grass isn't even very green yet, but to her, she sees an exciting, colorful world emerging as the snow melts away.
I'm reminded to be thankful for what we do have and not always wish for the "better" thing (tulips, daffodils, leaves, etc.). Those will come in time. Most importantly, I'm reminded that my joy should not be based on my circumstances, but found in Christ each day. I am so glad that He is in control, and I can rest in Him for what is best for us, even in the weather here in MI.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Quite the Impressive Harmony for Kids!
Check out this group of young girls singing our National Anthem at a game in Texas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Trying to Catch Up
Well, you might want to have a few minutes to get through all of the pictures below. I told you that I was behind. :-) All the pictures are from our adventures to SC at the end of this last year through the beginning of this year. We left on Christmas Eve and drove through the night. We spent a couple of weeks down there and were able to see my family as well as Kris' brother Kurt and his family. It was so fun! On the way home, we stopped at my Uncle Mike's in Detroit, and we were able to visit with my Grandma, who was up from Florida. That was a special time.
Speaking of my Grandma, I am praying for her today as she is traveling to West Virginia to her brother's funeral. He had pancreatic cancer and did not get to live very long after being diagnosed. Thankfully she went to see him last month before he passed away.
Well, enjoy the pictures. Sorry if it was too many to sit through! Olivia and I had fun putting together the slide show. :-) Oh, and by the way, my mom took us to a tea room while we were there. The lady told the girls to pick out any of the hats hanging around the room. They also had jewelry they could put on. We adults just had to join the fun too!
Speaking of my Grandma, I am praying for her today as she is traveling to West Virginia to her brother's funeral. He had pancreatic cancer and did not get to live very long after being diagnosed. Thankfully she went to see him last month before he passed away.
Well, enjoy the pictures. Sorry if it was too many to sit through! Olivia and I had fun putting together the slide show. :-) Oh, and by the way, my mom took us to a tea room while we were there. The lady told the girls to pick out any of the hats hanging around the room. They also had jewelry they could put on. We adults just had to join the fun too!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Could It Be?
Could it be that I am writing a post on my blog?
Could it be that I needed a change (what do you think of it)?
Could it be that this really is MARCH?
Could it be that everyone in our household will be well and I will teach again?
Could it be that we are having rain and not snow here in MI?
Could it be that I have asked too many questions?????? :-)
Yes, I am alive and am wanting to get back to the blog. Soooo much has happened since my last post. I thankfully have continued snapping pictures and keeping mental notes of what we've done the last 2 months.
Basically, we had a great Christmas and enjoyed family time after an insanely busy Nov. and Dec. Our annual trip to SC was great. We drove through the night on Christmas Eve and got to my parents the next morning. Sarah, Joe, and Jonas came over, and we all had a wonderful Christmas together. Kris and I were able to visit with some of our friends in SC, and we did see some others at the WILDS Music Conference the next week. The girls had a fun time staying with Grammy and Papa while we were gone. It was hard to say good-bye, but we got home at the end of the first week of Jan. and jumped back into life here.
The second week of Jan. brought an experience that I won't soon forget--a tonsillectomy and nose surgery! I'll spare you the details. It was very rough. Thankfully I am mostly done healing. I actually go for a 2nd post-op visit this Thurs. I am looking forward to breathing better, and having less throat issues overall!
Feb. was fairly uneventful. I continued to get better and began teaching again. Unfortunately lessons/classes were not as consistent as anyone would have liked due to snow days and sickness. Here's hoping that March will be a lot more promising. I was able to get our children's choir going again at church last month. I really enjoyed getting back to it after taking Dec. off for different Christmas programs and such as well as Jan. for my recovery. Sadly, today I was not able to conduct the song that we worked on for the morning service. Kris so sweetly filled in for me. :-) Emma is sick with either strep (tested at Urgent Care today) or possibly the respiratory flu that Olivia is getting over. Olivia was sick for 10 days with it--8 full days of fever and on Motrin! Thankfully she is better and will go to school tomorrow. Anyway, the other thing I have been able to get back to is Bible study. I am excited about what God is doing there, and I am glad to be studying II Cor.
Kris just finished teaching a Prime Time class on justification and loved that. He also started a new short study in our SS class. We recently finished taking our class through The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott and The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. We would meet together as couples and then split up for the last 1/2 an hour and go through the lessons. It was very good! Soon Kris will start a book of the Bible for our class to go through verse by verse. He is also working on Easter music, as Easter is really early this year. It seemed we finished the Christmas cantata and had to jump right into working on the Easter cantata. We are repeating Once Upon A Tree this year with some variation. I think it's a good thing to do the same cantata again. As much sickness that has gone around with just about every family we know, and many people missing rehearsals, it's helpful to sing something familiar. The biggest thing this week (Friday) for Kris is our state fine arts competition, MACS, which we host in our school. Pray for him as he has his groups perform but also has a lot of extra stuff this week in relation to our hosting the competition.
Well, that is the best I could do to summarize the last 2 months. I will work on pictures to post. The girls continue growing up and changing on us! God continues to stretch us and grow us all in many areas. He is always good, and we look to Him to guide us each day. His grace is sufficient and absolutely amazing!
Could it be that I needed a change (what do you think of it)?
Could it be that this really is MARCH?
Could it be that everyone in our household will be well and I will teach again?
Could it be that we are having rain and not snow here in MI?
Could it be that I have asked too many questions?????? :-)
Yes, I am alive and am wanting to get back to the blog. Soooo much has happened since my last post. I thankfully have continued snapping pictures and keeping mental notes of what we've done the last 2 months.
Basically, we had a great Christmas and enjoyed family time after an insanely busy Nov. and Dec. Our annual trip to SC was great. We drove through the night on Christmas Eve and got to my parents the next morning. Sarah, Joe, and Jonas came over, and we all had a wonderful Christmas together. Kris and I were able to visit with some of our friends in SC, and we did see some others at the WILDS Music Conference the next week. The girls had a fun time staying with Grammy and Papa while we were gone. It was hard to say good-bye, but we got home at the end of the first week of Jan. and jumped back into life here.
The second week of Jan. brought an experience that I won't soon forget--a tonsillectomy and nose surgery! I'll spare you the details. It was very rough. Thankfully I am mostly done healing. I actually go for a 2nd post-op visit this Thurs. I am looking forward to breathing better, and having less throat issues overall!
Feb. was fairly uneventful. I continued to get better and began teaching again. Unfortunately lessons/classes were not as consistent as anyone would have liked due to snow days and sickness. Here's hoping that March will be a lot more promising. I was able to get our children's choir going again at church last month. I really enjoyed getting back to it after taking Dec. off for different Christmas programs and such as well as Jan. for my recovery. Sadly, today I was not able to conduct the song that we worked on for the morning service. Kris so sweetly filled in for me. :-) Emma is sick with either strep (tested at Urgent Care today) or possibly the respiratory flu that Olivia is getting over. Olivia was sick for 10 days with it--8 full days of fever and on Motrin! Thankfully she is better and will go to school tomorrow. Anyway, the other thing I have been able to get back to is Bible study. I am excited about what God is doing there, and I am glad to be studying II Cor.
Kris just finished teaching a Prime Time class on justification and loved that. He also started a new short study in our SS class. We recently finished taking our class through The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott and The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. We would meet together as couples and then split up for the last 1/2 an hour and go through the lessons. It was very good! Soon Kris will start a book of the Bible for our class to go through verse by verse. He is also working on Easter music, as Easter is really early this year. It seemed we finished the Christmas cantata and had to jump right into working on the Easter cantata. We are repeating Once Upon A Tree this year with some variation. I think it's a good thing to do the same cantata again. As much sickness that has gone around with just about every family we know, and many people missing rehearsals, it's helpful to sing something familiar. The biggest thing this week (Friday) for Kris is our state fine arts competition, MACS, which we host in our school. Pray for him as he has his groups perform but also has a lot of extra stuff this week in relation to our hosting the competition.
Well, that is the best I could do to summarize the last 2 months. I will work on pictures to post. The girls continue growing up and changing on us! God continues to stretch us and grow us all in many areas. He is always good, and we look to Him to guide us each day. His grace is sufficient and absolutely amazing!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Family Times
We had the privilege of hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year. (I realized that I haven't really posted much since the middle of Nov., so I thought I would let you know some of what we've done since then.) My aunt and uncle were able to come up from the Detroit area, along with 2 of my cousins and their families. We were so glad that everyone could get together at our house before they all headed up to Aunt Barb and Doc's cabin in Cadillac. Everyone pitched in on the food that we feasted on. It was all so delicious. I had just gotten a new roaster that plugs in on the counter, and I cooked a 16 lb. turkey in it. It turned out great! I am liking the roaster. I have used it twice now.
Aunt Barb makes the most amazing stuffing and brought that with her. I always love my cousin, Jenni's, corn casserole, and was glad to have that as part of the meal. Of course, we would all say that Thanksgiving would not be complete without the sweet potato crunch! Mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, rolls, salad, pies, cheescake, cookies, and who knows what else was enjoyed that day. Aunt Barb has also gotten me hooked on her special mix of vanilla spice egg nog and Vernors. It is quite yummy.
Other fun things we did (besides eating ha ha)were celebrating my cousin's daughter, Eryn's birthday, listening to their son, Cole, play the piano for us, having our girls sing some songs, listening to Christmas carols that Emma played on her violin, and all of us singing some songs together. We ended the night with a few rounds of Blurt and Catch Phrase games. That had us all in stitches at times. I am just so thankful to have family within a couple of hours away. We had a great day, and I thank God for the many blessings He has richly given.
Aunt Barb makes the most amazing stuffing and brought that with her. I always love my cousin, Jenni's, corn casserole, and was glad to have that as part of the meal. Of course, we would all say that Thanksgiving would not be complete without the sweet potato crunch! Mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, rolls, salad, pies, cheescake, cookies, and who knows what else was enjoyed that day. Aunt Barb has also gotten me hooked on her special mix of vanilla spice egg nog and Vernors. It is quite yummy.
Other fun things we did (besides eating ha ha)were celebrating my cousin's daughter, Eryn's birthday, listening to their son, Cole, play the piano for us, having our girls sing some songs, listening to Christmas carols that Emma played on her violin, and all of us singing some songs together. We ended the night with a few rounds of Blurt and Catch Phrase games. That had us all in stitches at times. I am just so thankful to have family within a couple of hours away. We had a great day, and I thank God for the many blessings He has richly given.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Snowy December
Well, I don't know that we have to dream of a white Christmas (and yes, it's "Merry Christmas" despite the one window with "Happy Holidays") in MI. We had quite the storm on Dec. 11th, and had a little snow even before that. Now we have over a foot on the ground! I can't imagine that all the snow we have piled up outside is going to go anywhere fast. In fact, I saw that there are predictions for even more snow here later in the week. I guess it is said that a true white Christmas is one that includes snow falling from the sky that day, not just snow that is on the ground. We'll see what happens. I just know that it will look white outside. Well, here are some pics of what we saw after quite the snowfall last night and through the first part of today. Because the winds were supposed to get so bad and create possible blizzard conditions, white outs, and snow drifts, our cantata was canceled for tonight. Thankfully it is working out to reschedule the program for Wed. night at 6:45. We have certainly enjoyed the unexpected rest today! Soon I will get caught up on the last month's happenings with us. . . .
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