A weekend in December

Madi and Jess

Vicki and I...friends since childhood. Love, love, love this lady!!
Our combined crew plus one. From left to right: A friend's son, Vicki's son, my son, her daughter, my daughter, my foster daughter.
Several years ago, we took turns having babies. This is the result of that wonderful trade off.

embrace today

A week ago, yesterday, my best friend's husband died of mental illness/depression. My friend is my chosen sister, who has been walking my journey, side by side, with me since I was a young teenager. She lost her best friend, her husband, the father of their children. My heart is so broken for them, for his parents, for the hole he left in this world. Mental illness is a serious, disabling disease. Take depression seriously. He was a brilliant man. A mechanical engineer, creative, wise, kind, humourous...not a man I would have ever pictured who would face such darkness. If someone you know is in a stressful job, make sure they pace themselves.

My mind and heart are weary from trying to bare the burden..tugging, straining, wishing I could take the pain or at least help carry it. Grief is a heavy burden, but you can't take it away. You can walk along side and cry with a friend..and listen. Pray.

I feel blessed to have shared the last week with the family. While I feel empty and lost to be back home, I want to embrace today and realize how precious every moment is.

I'll catch you up on our lives soon. Lots of happy things have happened so I'll get those up soon.

Happy New Year!

attitude runs in our family, just like nerdism does.
Group hugs are some of the best! 3 grandies with their grandparents.

My beautiful not-so-little-anymore children

Lizzie did a water toast at midnight

My kids, my "used to be for now" kid and her best friend from early childhood all united on NYE for games and laughter.

...and out came the nerd glasses again!

The sweet and the bitter, mixed together

My heart is a little burdened today. We buried a wonderful man with whom we attended church. He was almost 90 but was the giver of hugs, love, "I love yous" and "God Bless yous". So mixed with sadness is also gladnesss for his love of God and God's love for him.

We made it thru the Christmas season with our new foster daughter, age 9. She is a sweetie and easy to have. She has one emotion: happy. Well, that is the only one she allows. The other eek out thru her eyes and other things I observe. Someone said that fostering is like "putting a bandaid on a broken leg". She said it having been a foster parent and adopting, so it wasn't a statement of hopelessness. Again, in the depth of my sadness for this girl and all broken children, I find hope knowing that I am not the solution, but God is the creator of miracles and I believe in Him! It is only through faith in God that I can do this foster parent thing. I love reading the verses of Jesus's dealing with children and his soft heart towards them.

Merry Christmas time!

Wyatt and his Papa giving one of our pet cows some Christmas cake.
Bringing sexy back...??? or something like that. In reality, taking a load to the dumpster while modeling several Christmas gifts.

"Helping" with Christmas cookies!

Ashton and Jamie

I think this is what a group food hangover looks like.


and then there is Ty who was "takin' a shower"

we come from a family of nerds.

See? I toldja so!

Here is Kurt and Jennifer

Tyleigh admiring the ornaments

It has been a very, merry Christmas indeed!

Finally to 1000!

Okay, I don't know if you feel this way, but during the holidays there are lots of Saturdays and Sundays and very few others days...say...Mondays! So, Mulitude Monday passed me by. However, I'm very thankful even though today is NOT Monday!

951. For another year of life
952-982. For my family: Mom, Dad, Lori, Shari, Danny, Justin, Daniel, Brayden, Lorna, Lorin, Brandon, Toni, Wyatt, Baby B, Jamie, Ashton, Tyleigh, Jennifer, Kurtis, Laytin,Vicki, Jeff, Nate, Madi, Jerry, Cody, Jessie, Matthew, Selina, Skyler....

983. And for all of my friends who are just as loved and held close as blood relatives.
984. For Soldiers who have come home.
985. For the ones who didn't come home alive..for their sacrifice.
986. For God given talents and abilities.
987. For green
988. For Christmas cards from old friends.
989. For the gifts of kindness and friendship
990. For new chances
991. For a good 4 month report...2 biopsies, both negative.
992. For unconditional love
993. for big open spaces and blue, blue skies.
994. fresh ground coffee beans
995. green chili on a cold day
996. children's laughter
997. songs!
998. memories brought back by old photos
999. The hope that the future holds.
1000. The opportunity to count my gifts and the reality that there are way, way more than 1000!

more gift counting....

951. Today I'm thankful for the nagging feeling that I haven't finished my 1000 gifts and I've taken time off of blogging!
952. I'm thankful for quick healing, thanks to Young Living oils.
953. For my new foster daughter, Skyler
954. For the little things she says that remind me that not everyone lives in a big world.
955. For Christmas lights
956. For kindness
957. For GENTLENESS in leadership of churches.
958. For new days and new opportunities
959. i'm thankful for my daughter's and my son's personalities..for their differences and the beauty in both.
960. For St. Judes
961. For my green flannel blanket from the Taos arts and crafts show.
962. For thing to hope for.
963. I'm thankful for today. It was a good day.
964. I'm thankful for a commitment I heard a church make to its new members. Usually it is expected the other way. It was amazing.
965. I'm thankful for Bible verses that give me peace.
966. ...and for all of the verses that guide me and help me know what to do.
967. For every laugh and giggle in my classroom.
968. my grandmothers birthday is in 2 days. I'm so thankful for every single memory of her. every. single.one. And there are many, many.
969. for our friend, Rob. he is amazing.
970. And our other friend Rob too.