It SNOWED! (last week)

Ok, this is a little past-due, but I had to post these pics for my family! They are just too darn cute! We had a "dusting" last week....yes, I know, it is supposed to be high 60's tomorrow....but we sure did enjoy it while it was here. We are still hoping for more.....at least enough to make a good snowman! I love the snow! It is like my mornings.....so peaceful and calm.....until my children jump in it.....screaming and yelling with delight! :) I LOVE IT!

Boris, The Kind Hearted.

Introducing our new kitty, Boris. We rescued him from SPCA and he sure is appreciative! I gave Sean the chance to say "no", and even went home and slept on it......and we went back and got him the next day. It was love at first sight. He stole our hearts immediately! He is precious and so sweet. Sean thinks he is mentally handicapped because he will just sit in your lap and purr all day long. He really isn't like any other kitten we've had and we are fine with that! Really, what does it hurt if he is slow, I ask? I don't have to worry about the other kitties teasing him, do I? No....not unless I start talking "cat" .....and at this point, I may!

Sick Kids and Winter Blues!

Ok.....enough, already! After a fabulous Christmas break, without any sickness, the Green House has been bombarded! I won't go into the play-by-play, but, it seems like we have been passing something around since New Year's! Until now, it has been the tolerable 2 or 3 day crud. Until this week......Today, I am going into my 8th day with a sick child in my presence. Lily came home sick on Friday of last week. She had a fever and just didn't feel good. By Saturday morning, we had full-blown flu symptoms. Cough, HIGH fever, aches, complaints, red eyes and headaches. Seth woke up Wednesday with a fever and since then, it's been medicine (for 2) every 4 hours, checking temperatures, breathing treatments (for 1), making sure no one is throwing up, and making sure everyone is laying still and being quiet! Including Momma! I have had enough! Today, the troops are getting weary of this house and the time we've spent together. I decided to clean out my junk drawer (I know, sad!)....as Lily and Seth were supposed to be watching a movie. All of the sudden, I hear, "Awwww, what a lovely day at the beach!" .....and as I came around the corner, this is what I saw! I love it! A day at the beach is exactly what the doctor ordered! I think we all need to pack up and go!

And, yes, that is my Christmas tree....still standing in my living room on Jan. 16th! What's a girl supposed to do with sick kids at home???? I haven't had a free day to myself since they've gone back to school! ARGH! (do you feel my frustration???!!!!) :)

Happy New Year! ....and Merry Christmas.....I have pictures!

This has been a crazy few weeks! Everything that led up to Christmas.....and Christmas came so quickly! I was happy to be relaxing and it was a joy to just be at home with my family. When you have kids.....and four of them.....that is the only place TO be! I noticed this year how their presents really didn't matter as much to them, but the one's they gave to others were the main attraction! We did our usual snacks and opening of 1 gift on Christmas Eve, after the candlelight service at church (which we LOVE!) Then, a little "Santa Tracking" on Norad and off to bed! Bedtime on Christmas Eve is always interesting. For some reason, everyone is eager to go, but too excited to sleep (including Sean and I! I think we just laid there awake and excited until 2am!) Christmas morning is so fun! I love seeing their expressions when they see the display that Santa left. And, how the tree looks so full of gifts that it's about to burst! I love how quickly the quiet of the morning is broken with whispers in the hallway and then all four kids in our bed ready to "go and see"! Then squeals of delight! We opened our stockings and then ate breakfast. THEN....it was time! For several years, we have gone around in a cirlcle and watched each other open one gift at a time. Announcing who it was from and then watching the thrill of excitement as they open their gift and the joy on the gift giver's face. I loved just sitting and watching them. It made me so proud of the "gifts" God had given me.

It was fun to have mom and Granny Loyce here this year! They came on Friday with the Hales'. We enjoyed a day full of fun and cooking and laughing and games with the cousins. Followed by a huge slumber party! I always love how my house swells when they are all here! It makes my heart swell, equally! Our break continued with a quick trip back to Kansas to deliver Granny home, and some quality time with G'ma Betty and Gramps and even my daddy! To complete my holiday, as I drove in to Lyons that night, I saw the emblem of my childhood of Christmases-past that said "all is good and right in the world".....the famous glowing red bell! It made my heart skip a beat. I had to drive around town and show the kids all of the landmarks and memories that still stand there today.....there really is no place like home!

And, now, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Every year, I think about how quickly the year has flown by. It really seems like we were JUST here! As I get older, it happens even faster! I love a new year! A new, fresh calendar with nothing on it (YET!). A time to get re-organized. A time to look forward and a time to reflect. As I sit here and look upon this past year, I am amazed at how God has stretched me, again. How He has been faithful and has blessed us, over and over again. How His love has grown me, again and again.... And, how I am assured that the blessings that He has for me in the New Year will astound me, yet AGAIN! I pray for all of you a Happy and Blessed 2009. That your defeats will be overshadowed by your victories and your troubles will not amount to many when you consider all of your blessings!