why my tree is still UP

Yes this is a shock!!! I have always taken down the tree the day after Christmas. My house is too small, the tree looks sad without presents, and yet it still stands. And will stand until Friday. Why oh why?? Am I just lazy this year? Or maybe more sentimental?  I pondered this all day yesterday.

First of all, last night I realized I had not put on the ornament I got a Bransen! So now my tree is completed. Second, I'm off the mom's to see my aunt, uncle and sis. I really appreciated Amber and Austin putting up the tree but want to take it down myself.....maybe I am too picky:)
Third, maybe I'm just not ready to let this Christmas go. I was sick the week before and did not get to enjoy the anticipation as much as in the past. Also the white elephant my Mom talked about....our first Christmas without Dad. And most of all, our last Christmas with a kid in the house.

At 18, Austin would be offended to know I called him a kid....but it oculd be worse since I think of him as my baby! He graduates from high schoo lin May. This is something we have never experienced in our family....on mine or Steve's side. There are no littles for Christmas. This year we bought some things for a friend's small children...but not the same. It seems wierd to let go off some of our traditions. After talking with the kids they don't want to let them go either.

Here's some examples----
      stockings-this was my last year to do stockings for the kids. I told them this and they jumped on the idea of doing stockings for each other.
     santa cookies- I did not do this this year but Amber and Austin did!
     decorations- I did not put out all 11 boxes of decorations this year(too sick) and guess what? Christmas still came and we had a great time
      mountains of gifts-I have told the kids we are cutting back. I am going to try to do bigger birthday gifts and smaller Christmas(we will see how successful I am)

I was so blessed to be able to spend Christmas day with all my kids. Christmas Eve with Mom was the beginning of a new tradition! Um, Festival of Lights will probably not become a tradition. LOL

So regardless of the adjectives to describe this Christmas-wonderful, first, last- our celebrations were a time to be with family.
smile-Kathy

Hello little blog....

I missed you.. Have I really been that busy? No probably not, but how easy to get lost in the busyness of our lives. September, October, November, most of December....and no posts! If this post was a person we would be fighting apparently, but no....just busy. My blog does reflect on how well I am taking care of myself. Before this year ends I want to recommit to taking care of myself. Physicall, emotionally, and spiritually. My journey continues.

After lots of thought I went back to college this semester... After reading a Debbie McComber book about living your potential. She talked about God giving you clues as a child to the job most suited to you. The job you are meant to have. As a child my favorite memory was going to the library. I wanted to read them all. I remember leaving with a stack I could barely carry. Being surrounded by the lovely smell and the covers all calling to me---Read Me First!

My mom developed my love of books and it is the greatest gift she gave me. I remember nap time, lying on mom's bed....she had her book and I had mine. She read poetry to me one time during a tornado!

 Being able to escape into a story is such a blessing. A blessing not everyone has. I remember when I had my third child-Amber. I was reading a Stephen King novel(don't remember which) when I went into labor so I packed my book. After she was born, the nursing staff was so sweet to me. I heard them talking in the hallway, she has to at home let her rest. Oh year, I used the time to READ!! Even when they finally brought her to me, I put her in my lap and read.

I potty trained Andrea by reading Little Golden books to her. Books are my friends! Maybe I will get a book for Christmas....probably not . but I am giving books as gifts.

Well it felt good to write some. Hopefully I will be able to get back into this habit.
smiles-kathy

Better Late that never......

I know you have all been antipating info about the rest of our vacation. Day 4 had us traveling. We left Defiance and headed for Branson. Planned on stopping about halfway. We spent the morning checking out all of Steve's old haunts. Got to go into his school. It was awesome. No pics of inside--on Andrea's camera.

Also the kids were amazed with how green every thing was. Here's my own children of the corn.

On our journey through Illinois I used my great navigation skills to lead the family on a off the beaten path side trip to find Lincoln's Log Home(according to the map I bought at Wall's for a dollar).It looked like it was 14 miles of highway, but an hour later and many miles of corn and of the lady in the box(gps) saying Turn Right. We arrived. yeah to find out no tours but we were able to walk around. Would love to go back to get the whole story.

From what I read this is the farm that Abraham Lincoln bought for his mom and stepfather for $200. It was very well preserved, and seemed to be a working farm. I bet field trips would be great there!

We were worried about beating the rain and getting to Effingham so it was a rushed trip but some of my best memories. On the way back to the interstate we found the church were Lincoln's parents were buried. It looked like the original headstone but a sign said it was the second because tourist had come and chipped off pieces for souveniors. I could have looked at all the old headstones for ever but the children were restless!!

The iron work around the site was made by a company in Ohio.

The church was beautiful as well.

After leaving the cemetary we drove trying to beat the rain. I would say no luck but it was so great to see rain.After getting to motel we went and ate at the restaurant next door. Kids were disappointed because pool was closed. It was here where we saw complete double rainbows. What a blessing!
The next day was on to Branson. I will be back to tell more.
Smiles-Kathy

Another day, now and then

So off to work I did go today. Things went well although I am now at the point that I will beg one of the boys to come help hang things on the wall. Enjoyed visiting with many and even enjoyed going to coworkers for an informal get together. I had been worried about it but during morning devotion prayed about letting go of my fears and worries. Being able to trust in God has been such a blessing in my life. Also stayed in points today. I am really trying to stick to points because no exercise will be happening for a while. My knee is really hurting but don't feel like it is bad enough to go to doctor yet.

Review of day 3-Ohio
IT RAINED!!!!!!!
Yes, we did lots of looking at childhood memories of Steve's but it RAINED! Everyone texted and posted this happy news. Our Oklahoma friends were envious. The rain did keep us from some activities but I don't think we cared too much! We visited Bloomdale,OH and Defiance.

Steve's childhood home.

His grandparents home.
We also visited the cemetary where his grandmothers are both buried. There was a terrific rain storm then with lots of lightning and thunder. We also visited lots of Defiance---Independence Dam, Fort Defiance and Jiggs(for root beer)

At the dam, trying to take instructions from the photographer!

Apparently being able to spell your state requires more skills than we possessed. But we gave it the good ole Okie try!

At the dam. Afterwards we saw lots of interesting monuments about the war of 1812, also found a marker about one of Johnny Appleseeds first nurseries. Probably more history that any of them wanted but I was hooked. Why is Ohio so far away??

First day at school,Vacation Day 2

What a great day! Went to school and got to start unpacking--first time in 3 years that I didn't have to move rooms...felt wonderful. My goals for today where to get rid of big ole computer desk and clean out filing cabinet. Well I was very worried about doing the computer---it was a nest of cords. I said a prayer to God for help to stay calm and not get frustrated. My prayers were answered!!! I got two of the filing cabinet drawers cleaned out and so claimed SUCCESS on my first day back. I even had some time to unload books, boxes, and part of the closet. I felt so productive.....hope tomorrow goes as well. Oh yeah-I also got to meet Nikki--a new member to our fifth grade team. She has been doing GE so I hope to get lots of ideas and motivations from her.

Now for a trip down memory lane to Vacation day TWO!!!!
This day was devoted to the family reunion Except for a great detour to Cake in a Cup. This is a bakery in Toledo that had won Cupcake Wars just days earlier. We got the tip from Tracy(Tony's daughter). Since it was cheaper by the dozen we all got to pick our favorite and then shared others. They were sooooooo wonderfully rich!

Mine was in the third row--middle:White Chocolate and madarin orange---Yummmyyyyyyy!

Here is a close up. Admire the large white chocolate nugget in middle and the coconut cooked into the top.  Uhoh I think I just drooled on the computer!
The people were very nice and talked about their experiences on the show. We were to cool to ask for their autograph or pic but look at the cute sig they get to display. Love this place.

Honestly I would go to Toledo again just for another cupcake!
Well I wasn't sure the day could get better but we headed on the park for the reunion. One wrong turn but we still got there early enough to share a cupcake with Jackie! She worked so hard along with Dean to put this together. Thanks again!
I admit much of this day was.....awkward! We have only been around this part of the family a few times over the last 20 years. But it was AWESOME to see Steve interact with his family. We blended in as time went by but didn't really know everyone until late in the afternoon! And we love them all!

What a group-----everyone was there except Nick and Wendi and her kiddos. Barb and Dean should be so proud. We are truly blessed.
After lunch and supper there we headed to a motel--any motel--Barb and Tony also had rooms so we had a late night chatting more.
Please note I did not say anything negative about the heat, or the biting BUGS!!!
I will post more pics later---I think we took 200 there on that day alone!!!
Smiles-Kathy

Vacation Update

So yes it has been a week since I have been home and I am just now posting anything about the fantastic family trip I got to take. Along with Steve and all the kids we made the big journey to Ohio to see Steve's family. I can't get caught up all at once so maybe day by day.
Day 1--Friday July 8
We rented the 15 passenger van, loaded up and headed to mom's with Andrea and Austin. The plan was that Steve would sleep all afternoon and be ready to drive ALL the way. Yeah that's the plan--he will drive ALL the way-stopping for gas,restroom and food. Hmmmmm
The rest of the kids made it to mom's after work. We ate the last Okie food for a while(thanks mom) and headed out about 8:30.
This was fun until it got dark....and until Tulsa traffic....oh yeah I HATE riding in cars. This will be a great trip.
At 1:30am Sat. Steve could no longer stay awake,I was sleepy too soooooo we took a long break in Lebanon MO to sleep in the parking lot of a McDonalds. Everyone sleep well except for the person who had Austin laid out all over them--uhhh that would be ME!!!
About 3:30 everyone woke up---Amber was first to get too hot to sleep. Back on the road---lots of fog, a semi off the road. Stopped outside St. Louis and then on the road again. I'm sure all the kids have great pics of the Arch but not me I was on the look out for traffic:)
Yes I drove for a while after a stop in Effingham for breakfast and a stop for White Castle. Then I happily drove the monster van(yes I did cry....I was scared!)

Then the exciting part....Johnny Appleseed's grave.  Yes this is the good part.

I forgot flowers and felt bad.

What a wonderful story.

So after the thrill of this we decided to head on to Ohio. Everyone was excited to get there.

Elliot was the only one perky enough to crawl out of the van for this pic. He was also the one who yelled LOUDLY everytime we crossed a state line.We drove through Hicksvill where Steve's mom-Barb use to teach and then spent the night in Defiance. This is the end of day 1.

Smiles-Kathy

The Countdown is ON!!

Only 3 more mornings in Oklahoma before the BIG trip to OHIO.  We have never taken a family trip out of state so this is BIG for our family. The kids are all getting excited in each of their own ways.  Oldest is worried about everyone getting along and is anxious for some down time. She has so much on her plate I am praying she can just enjoy herself. Daughter number two is the organizer of the bunch. She made a list weeks ago and except for that broken toe :( is ready to hit the road. Daughter number 3 is concerned about clothes and entertainment. Number one son in law is ready for some down time to read. Oldest son hasn's said much but I think he is missing us since he moved out last month and will enjoy time with everyone...He is my smiler so he will play an important part on the trip. Baby son is too laid back to act excited but I am praying he will enjoy himself.

This morning devotional talked about giving control to God and relaxing and trusting.  I will still be praying on this for ever but I am really going to let go and let GOD. I so want to enjoy these opportunities with my family....both close and far. I just know it will take a lot of prayer!!!

So plans include Johnny Appleseeds gravesite, seeing Lake Erie, family reunion in Rossford,visiting and meeting lots of family, touring around Steven's old stomping grounds, Titantic museum, Silver Dollar City, shopping, and probably too much eating!!!

Now's the hard part.....time to make my list and get organized to leave.
-
*color my hair--doing this as I write
*laundry(big surprise, I know)
*prepare snacks for car
*clean house
*PACK...and don't forget the tickets for everything!!!

And then Have FUN....this is an order.
Smiles-Kathy
No time for spell check...gotta go rinse my hair.