Christmas was nice~

Lot's of red eyed pics....*sigh*
someday I'll figure it all out.
I don't have any pics of Jon and Michael....  :O(
They are hard boys to get ahold of!!

My parents also got a new "Christmas" present.
His name is Nikko.  He's a 5 month old German Shepherd.
He joins them and Luke...Luke is tolerating him, but is a bit ticked to be sharing his master with
another dog on a full time basis...

Christmas is always bittersweet for me, but if I focus on why we are TRULY celebrating it all falls into place for me.

I hope you and your family had a joyous Christmas with family, friends, or whoever you choose to celebrate it with.

Caleb's new "blankie"

"Happy Napper"

Proud of my Beebz!!

Last night, Emily went to a nursing home and sang her first ever solos.  She sang "Winter Wonderland" and "Believe" from the Polar Express. 
We were in the Memory Care Unit, but it felt very normal, as that is where we visited Grandma Lillie so many times.  Emily hand made cards to hand out to the residents...very sweet and thoughtful.

She did a great job.  She didn't appear nervous at all.  Its too bad they didn't have a microphone, as it was hard to hear against the piano playing, but it was special all the same.

There was one older gent, who after every piece, would clap, and loudly exclaim "YAY!!!"  It was soo cute!!  When Emily gave him a card, he promptly read it out loud and said "Thanks my friend, Emily."

She touched many people last night, and I am very proud of her.

Isn't she beautiful?  Ready to sing!

We could be twins, don't ya think?  LOL!!!

Homemade Christmas presents!!

The presents your children make for you at school?  I know without a doubt, that is one thing I will miss terribly when my youngest ones are out of elementary school.  They always get so excited, and they can never wait til Christmas to give you the gift they spent so much time making.  Maybe I'll get a few when I am a grandma too....
They grow up so fast, and some days you wish for it to go faster.  But on the days like today, when its slow going, and you are looking at the hand made gifts, it melts your heart.  Makes you want to hold on a little tighter, a little longer.
Thanks for the gifts, Emily and Caleb.
I love them.

Christmas Ornament from Emily

The Bag She decorated

Caleb's Ornament to me

The Front of Caleb's ornament

More decoration of Emily's Bag

The pics are dark, but you get the idea...

Interesting reading:

I bought a book from the Mark Williams concert I went to last night.  This man has an incredible story, although I haven't read the entire book yet.  He gave us a tad bit information about himself at the concert.  He was in a really bad car accident 12/8/01 and he almost died.  His faith in our Lord God, his perseverance, the love and faithfulness of family helped him to recover from his injuries.  His mother is the author of the book, and its called "Under the Shadow".

I actually have only read the preface from Mark, but I am already looking forward to reading the book, as what I have read thus far has already touched me.
Here is a small excerpt:
"We often don't realize all the blessings we have in life until they are taken from us.  I learned that prayer is very powerful.  I also learned that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope."

Amen....

Christmas is almost here~

Well, I have one picture of our itty bitty tree.  Its just this 3 foot fiber optic one, but the kids decorate it and put an angel on top, so that counts, right?  Plus...its not supposed to be about who has the biggest, prettiest tree in the neighborhood.  Thankfully I have recently found a new church that I am going to faithfully attend.  My neighbor, Diane invited me to go, and the minute I walked in I knew it was "home."  While me and the kids were on our way yesterday, Emily said "mom, it sure feels nice to be able to say I have a church, doesn't it?"  :O)  In the 2 times I have brought the kids, they have already learned more than the times I've brought them to the bigger "mega-churches".  It teaches sound biblical doctrine, the Pastor is a very gentle spirit, and there are plenty of things I can do to get involved...including joining the choir!!  Which for those of you who know me, this is a huge step for me.  God has shown me, in His perfect timing where my new church home is supposed to be.  I am so grateful!! 
Last night the church held a Christmas concert from a man named Mark David Williams.  I could listen to his voice all day long.  It was so beautiful.  Beautiful songs that are what this season is supposed to be about.
So while we hustle and bustle to get all our shopping done, may you stop and pause and remember why this is a season worth celebrating.  The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Merry CHRISTmas, and Happy Birthday, Jesus.  Thank you for being born as man in the flesh, thank you for dying on the cross for ALL of our sins.  Thank you for being my salvation.  Thank you for giving me the eternal hope and security that someday I will get to spend eternity with You, and my fellow loved ones that I miss so dearly here on earth.
Thank you for bringing Pathways into my life.
Thank you for blessing me beyond measure.
I love you.

Christmas goodies, Christmas fun~

Today Emily and I went to my mother in law, Sandy's house for an entire day of Christmas baking!  It was a great time, with lots of mess, and lots of fun.  We played Christmas music and just had a blast.
We made divinity, fudge, chex mix, sugar cookies, 7 layer bars, bread, peanut butter kisses.....
Yummy!!!  Plus it was nice time spent with my mother in law and daughter. 

Cause for Celebration!!!

December 4th, 2011 I was able to celebrate my deliverance from the evil grips of alcohol abuse!!!
I am free.  Free from the grips, the pain, the secret of alcohol.  Free for 2 years!!!!

I am so blessed to have such a loving, long suffering Savior!  He brought me back when He couldn't stand watching me self destruct any longer.  I truly was delivered.  No cravings, no desire to use since my sober birthday of December 4th.  and I owe it ALL to our Loving Father.

Not a day goes by that I don't praise God for my sobriety.  May I never forget that dreadful, painful day of December 3rd, 2009.  May I always keep the memory tucked away, but not so far that I can't bring it up to remind myself of who I will NEVER be again.

Thank you to my loving earthly family as well.  Thank you for your patience, thank you for loving me unconditionally as I started my journey of recovery and healing.
I love all of you so very much.  You were with me from the beginning, and you will be here with me until the end, and thank you Father for blessing me with such a special family.

Happy Birthday, Dad~

Sunday, December 4th, 2011 my Dad turned 61 years old.  We went to my parents house for some food and fellowship.  It was such a nice day.  I thank God every single night for blessing me with parents who brought me up in a home that loves the Lord.  They taught me the word of God from a very young age.  I may have strayed at times, but the verse holds true that if you "bring up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
We live in such scary times, in such a scary world.  My salvation gives me my strength and my comfort so I have nothing to fear.  I owe this to my parents.
I found this poem about Dad's, and I could have written this myself about Gary.  No more words need be said after reading this.  It describes my Dad perfectly.
I hope you enjoyed your day, Dad.  And I hope you know I celebrate you daily.
I love you!
Your Beach Angel~

Dad

© Karen K. Boyer

He never looks for praises
He's never one to boast
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken
His wants are very few
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken too
He's there.... A firm foundation
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold to
In times of stress and strife
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that we call Dad.

Happy Thanksgiving~

Today we got to have Thanksgiving at my parents house.  The first time in many, many years!!  It was so nice.  Michael is home visiting, so some of my pics are just of the boys, a couple are of Emily "hunting" for the first time, and the others are from my parents today.  Some of my pics are too dark, but its what I've got, so that's that!  It was a nice day.  We truly do have much to be thankful for. 

First Snowfall of November 2011 and the kids are ready!!

We have our Christmas lights up outside (not inside yet), and they "dance" to the Christmas music that plays.  So cool!!  Gabe wasn't sure what he thought of the snow, as he hadn't seen it yet.  He didn't care much for it, but I'm sure he will learn to love it like most dogs and kids....

There are 2 kids in there...I promise!!

I won't tell anyone that they only played outside for about 10 minutes and came back in cold....
:O)

Aren't they just precious?

My nephew, Dane. 

My beautiful Emily with handsome Dane

They play the role a bit too naturally....

Thank you, Soldier.....

Today I thank you, every single soldier, every single veteran.  Those that are safe at home, those that are out there still, waiting to come home.  I thank the ones whose lives were lost fighting for us.  I remember fondly, the ones who made it home, and have passed away for other reasons.  I cannot fathom the horrors you endured, the nights that are so long, the families at home worried every single day.  I thank you for what you are doing, what you have done, and what you will continue to do for people you don't even know.  God Bless You today, and every single day.  May He keep you safe in His loving hands.  Again, I say thank you.

 

Because of you, I am here

Because of you, I am able to live freely

 

Yet I do not know you

And I have not done anything for you

 

But there you stand, ready to fight

And there you are prepared to die

For me

 

You've fought before

And you'll fight again

For someone you don't know

 

So thank you Unknown Soldier

Fighting for me

 

I'm here because of you

And I owe my future to you

By Courtney Tanabe

A Poem Written by my dearest Emily 2011~

I am a unique individual
my heart is open to all
whom shall need it.

My mind is set on anything
and everything.

You may ask for help
I will be the first to be there.

My hand will be out
ready for anyone who might grasp it.

I am ready.
Ready for sorrow.
Ready for happiness
that may come my way

keep the song in your heart my beloved Beebz

Emily's Art Work~

Emily got all A's and one B on her first 5th grade report Card.
Caleb did awesome too.  I am so very proud of both of them!!!
I hope you enjoy the paintings Emily made at school.
I think they are beautiful.