Pray

Just last night we found out that Tina's mom went into respiratory arrest. She has brain damage and is now on a ventilator to breath for her.  If she is taken off, she will die.  We just got back from Missouri from celebrating Christmas with Tina's sister's family. We are now packed and ready to head off to California to say our last good-byes to Grandma Jan.  Lisa and Levi will be meeting us shortly and we will be caravanning there. When we are all in Riverside, then we, as a family, will make the final decision on when to take her off of life support.  

We ask for prayers of safety and comfort during this difficult time.

 We are grateful for the financial resources and time off of school and work that make this trip possible.  And we are especially grateful to know that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who can take away all pain. It is very likely that Tina will have lost both parents prior to the New Year.  

Hug your parents and children a little tighter and make sure you tell them,  I LOVE YOU! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! 

It may not seem like I am in the Christmas spirit, for lack of holiday posts, but I do have the spirit!

On the day after Thanksgiving (and after we were done Black Friday shopping) we decorated for Christmas!  This is the first time that we've put lights up outside since Howie was a baby.  I'm so glad we did.  It's so pretty!

Erin usually has the honors of putting up the star (or angel, whichever we use that year).

After many failed attempts on her part, Howard had to step in and finish.  We have a new tree this year, so that's why it was difficult.

Howard and I are HUGE fans of live trees, but because of our move to Okinawa we went artificial (one year in Oki, many of our neighbors did NOT have Christmas trees because of shipping problems!  So sad!)  Anyway, we replaced our pathetic tree last year after Christmas and scored this one for $17!!!!  I'm only a fan of skinny trees because we never know how big our house will be from one year to the next, and it takes up less space.  Eventually we will have a large tree, but not for many years.  We also have a 2ft children's tree for all of their homemade ornaments.  It's in the kitchen. Love it!

We will be going to my sister's for Christmas this year and we are so excited to share it with them.  It's wonderful being so close to family.  7 hour drive is close!

One Last Christmas

Grab your Kleenex for this one!  This is my favorite "new" Christmas song.  Normally I'm old school (Bing Crosby, Perry Como, etc.), but this just pulls at your heart strings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Flashback Friday

I saw on another friend's blog her flashback Friday and I thought I would give it a try.

December 2006

Oh how Erin LOVED to play in the rain!

Life

This is my life...

I have children...

They left their mark in my dining room!

These are just for fun!