Reasons I love my Father In Law~

My father in law, Lionel is a really special person to me.  Over the years, though we don't see each other often, we have developed a friendship.  He is a very gentle spirited man, who has lived a lot in his life.  He is someone you can talk to whether it be something serious, or you just feel like chatting.  When I had some sobriety behind me, he being a recovering alcoholic as well,  made me this beautiful walking stick, and he personalized it to me by placing the serenity prayer on the top of it.  I have the stick in my bedroom, where I can keep it in safe keeping.
I had made mention a few times that I love sunflowers.  Well, last night Troy came home after a visit with him, and Lionel had hand painted me the picture above.  He signed it "To Kristy, thank you for being my friend."
This, too was something he made just for me, with me in mind, and it touches my heart.  He is a good man, with good intentions.

Dog Days of Winter??!!

My parents bought another German Shepherd, names Niko.  He's 5 months old
and cute as a bugs ear!!  Poor Luke has a degenerative spinal disease, and they
thought they should maybe get another dog to bond with before they have to say
goodbye to the Wonder Dog Luke....
I get to watch him while my parents are at work until he's trained, and its going to work out just great.  It gives Gabe the exercise he needs, the exercise Niko needs, and they are going to be healthy, happy bestest friends!!

Matthew 11: 28-30

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Happy New Year, 2012

A New Year With The Lord

A new year is about to unfold
With new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences
New adventures with the Lord

Remember not the former things
The things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us
Much more than we are aware

For He will make a way for us
As we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step
By His presence we have within

What God has placed within our hearts
We find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities
We’ll see the door to go through

We mustn’t let anything hold us back
But rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be
With a fresh touch of His grace


I didn't write that poem, but I hope to remember it as the year unfolds.  I pray that this year will hold continued healing, continued faith and trust in our Lord and Savior. 

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...