Merry Christmas!

We had so much fun!   What a lovely day!  We were sad that many of our family members were ill with flu..... But we were all fine!  Uncle Bob joined us for a wonderful time. :)
Our sweet friend Hal Tait sent the girls beautiful jewelry from Afghanistan. 
We hope you all had a very MERRY Christmas!

Time For New Year's Resolutions To Begin.....

I am actually excited about implementing some New Year's Resolutions!
One thing I am really pleased about from last year is that my filing was done regularly!
Yea!

This year, I have even more improvements planned including an envelope system for financial accountability. 

1. I want to make sure all receipts are accounted for and go into an envelope system
    to account for categories of monthly expenses.

2.  I would like to see our encouragement letter writing go up.  We are members for Christian Healthcare Ministries and have plenty of opportunity to encourage those who are sick.

3.  I would like to STICK to a budget that includes a good savings plan. 

4.  I would like to learn how to use technology to save time instead of waste it.

5.  I would like to develop an adoption education curriculum that we can take folks through to prepare them for children coming home, that will be accepted for education credit.

6.  I would like to help Mike more..... this is an ongoing problem for me with the business. :/

7.  I would like to commit my life to more serious prayer and study of the Word.

8.  I would like to be a better communicator.

9.  I  would like to get Spring Cleaning started and remove unnecessary clutter.

10.  I want to press into Christ more fully.

These are not in order of importance..... they are the things I have been pondering.

What are your resolutions?

Anna's First Dance

 She's all ready for the Military Ball with R.O.T.C.  I don't know if I'M ready! :)

showing off her sparkly high tops under her gown. :)
Love that girl! :)

Whopper of an Ice Storm

We are stuck..... ice everywhere and it is just perfectly beautiful!

 Even the basket ball hoop is pretty in the ice. :)

 Our oak tree this a.m.

 Our pine tree

 Our peach tree

 Marjoram  bush

 Cooking breakfast on the wood stove after we lost power.

 Reading by lamp light

 The rose bush

Staying warm..... eating soup.

A Thankful Week!

The Siblings

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week! I cannot believe it has come to an end.  Uncle Bob just left to go back to Oklahoma and we will miss him. He brightens our lives!

Erika and I spent a long time in the kitchen preparing for the Big Day when everybody would be here.
But before that, there were two big events that took place.

First Alli's sister Tatyana and her boyfriend Gibson came down from OU to see us on Tuesday. It was a huge surprise for Miss Alli. She was so excited when she found out they were coming that she did some cartwheels. :)
I am so thankful that Tatyana is in her life once again.

Tatyana and Gibson left for Oklahoma on Wednesday a.m. and then it was time to prepare for Anna's 15th birthday!  YES! Anna is FIFTEEN!

 Where has the time gone?
In 9 days, Anna will have been home for 10 years. Wow!
Birthdays and Holidays have always been events that Anna has struggled with over the years.
She was moved alot during holiday times and I have documented many holiday times in my blog where there were struggles. 
She got through her Birthday and Thanksgiving pretty well, and even smiled last night saying, "I made it through!" :)

 She had a friend over for the day, and picked a favorite movie.  She picked pancakes for breakfast with maple syrup and for Lunch we had Tacos.
Sarah created a gift finding hunt for her and she enjoyed her day.

 We finished off celebrating with Black Bean Chocolate cake; her favorite.

Thanksgiving came quickly!  We spent Thanksgiving Day with Uncle Bob, Joe, Becca and the Boys and Chuck, Jodie and the girls! They came all the way from New Mexico to be together. It was a very precious time seeing them!

 Tasting... that's all. Just tasting. :)

 Sweet Cousins

 Erika was in charge of potatoes

 Sarah took a picture from the silverware's perspective.

 A feast!

 Saying what we were thankful for

 These two just hit it off!

 Uncle Bob...

 Chuck having conversation

Jodie and Truman.

Then came Friday.... It was a convergence of all siblings, and grand children.  What fun!
Crazy, but fun!

 Somehow Anna managed to get her picture with each of her brothers. :)

And finally.... .Olivia got her hair cut from Auntie Becca. :)

The kids left for NM on Saturday A.M. and we will miss them as always. 
BUT.... Kate graduates from High School in May and I believe we will be making every effort to be there. :)
Hope You all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!