Palm Tree Christmas

We spent Christmas this year with Bob's family in Florida! It was a HOT 80 degrees! We have fun watching the kids open their presents, visiting the beach and St. Augustine, and playing lots of games! It was VERY different from our snowy white Christmas of last year! Yet still one to remember!

Bob's parents

My niece Jazz broke her wrist roller skating...she wasn't supposed to run or jump or do much activity....she did manage to play a ton of Wii!!!!

Our nephews enjoyed St. Augustine's pirates' magic!

Grandma and Grandpa Beckley

Opening presents!!!

MIA

I know that I've been missing in action for some time now. I have been busy and life has been crazy.
We had a nice time on Thanksgiving with some friends here. They made deep fried turkey, smoked ham and all the trimmings. Then we watch Green Bay on their big screen and vegged out for awhile.
At Christmas time we made the trek home to South Dakota. It was good to be with that side as we are all still mourning the loss of Grandma and needed to be together. On Christmas day it snowed several inches(maybe feet I don't recall). It was wonderful to see Christmas snow again, and it made me long for more and more snow. Bob and I managed to have a nice snow shovel fight, now snowball, as we were trying to clear off the front walk. I was hoping to get snowed in and have to stay longer, but no such luck occurred.
Our immediate family decided to go and get our pictures done. We had a blast trying to stuff us all in to the Wal-Mart photo center. My sister kids did an excellent job of smiling!
Our other news will have to wait as there are some friends we haven't told yet and would like to tell in person.
I pray that y'all had a wonderful holiday season, especially Christmas. Happy New Year!

Florida Visit

Here is a preview of our recent trip to Florida!

We got to visit our friends! The kids showed us their fort (top)

and we had a nice visit catching up and watching the kids play in the sunshine!

We saw most of our dear friends this trip but only got to spend an hour or so

with each! We miss you all very much! Come see us in Tennessee!

On Saturday we got to go to St. Augustine Beach. We had a good time, but it was a cold day as you can see by how everyone's bundled up!

Let it Snow... part 2!

The day after our first snow we woke up to this! It was quite beautiful!

Let it Snow!

Last night we got our first bit of snow! I was very excited! To me seeing snow is like seeing a rainbow. It reminds me of God's promises. How thankful I am that Christ came to wash me white as snow!
The neighbors, I think their house had the most snow. Yes I know that it was only a light dusting. But beggar's cannot be choosers! Plus we are getting more snow today!

The white specs on the picture are actually snow flakes.

My Husband, My Hero!

I can't believe I'm sharing this but, yesterday, my husband removed a mouse from our house! We had heard the little feller making noise on Sunday but couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. So of course he goes to work Monday and I was fine until about 2 p.m. when I went to read my book. All of the sudden I heard a the noise coming from the air-in vent in the office. I called my hubby and begged him to come home. I didn't know what it was. We had to remove all of the books from the bookshelf and move the bookshelf. I put towels under all of the doors so if he got away he couldn't go into another room. Bob found the mouse to be trapped in the vent. Well, he took off the vent cover and was able to grab the mouse after just two try's. He kept saying,"Oh, the little guy's hungry," while I was yelling at him to get the thing out of my house. Needless to say, I miss my cat! But a husband comes in handy too!

My Grandma.

My grandma's birthday was on New Years Eve. She turned 73! She is doing well considering. We had a real nice visit while we were in South Dakota. Grandma got a cold which became difficult for us. We had to bring her to the doctor right away. ALS patients have to be kept an eye on so they don't get pneumonia. The most difficult thing for her is that her mind is perfect but she can't talk very well and will eventually lose her voice. She would like to tell us all more things of her life, but no longer can. My sister told me the other day, "Jennie, I miss Grandma", I knew what she meant but asked her to explain anyways, "I miss how Grandma was, how she used to live and be", she said. I know what you mean Erika, I miss her to. Starting the grieving process is difficult. I am truely thankful that I am Christ's child and that my grandma is too. I know that He has a reason for everything, for those who love Him. He is good and Grandma is in His hands. She is a true witness of Christ, and is a blessing to have around. I just keep praying that God would use her in this time to bring some family member or members closer to Him. I know that is has brought me closer.

I hope everyone has a great new year!

Grandma Julia is pictured here at her birthday party. She is centered between her brother Phil and her sister Brenda.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We had a very nice couple of separate celebrations! Our first was spent with my parents and sisters, and my older sister's family. The second, on Christmas day was spent at the farm with my extended family on my mom's side. We had a wonderful time watching the kids opening their gifts, taking lots of pictures, and with the white elephant gift exchange, which always brings lots of laughs for everyone!

My nephew Samuel in his Christmas suit!

From left to right: My cousin Jesse, his girlfriend April, me and Bob.

Our family photo this year. My how the years fly!

My sisters, grandma and me! Grandma has ALS! She is an inspiration as she leans on our Heavenly Father and is a blessing to our family!