Happy Christmas Adam!

Just taking a second and jumping in here to wish you and yours a

 

Happy Christmas Adam!

 

Christmas Adam?

 

You never heard of Christmas Adam?

 

Everyone knows Adam came before Eve!

 

~groan~

 

On a brighter note, Ashley sent me this photo yesterday morning...

 

 

 

 

I know!  She's earned the nomination for Mom-of-the-Year award, right?

 

To tackle a ginger bread house with a two year old?

 

~sigh~

 

Considering I'm the mom who once bought all the ingredients for Christmas cookies and then proceeded to eat them right out of the pantry before baking, I was feeling pretty inadequate...

 

Five minutes later, I got a text message that said that right after this photo, she moved the house and it caved in...

I felt better.

 

So, let's get busy, all those last minute things we need to do...

I'll meet you back here tomorrow, all relaxed and stuff, feet up,

a cup of tea and a few cookies...

 

For now,

Stay safe, stay warm, and remember:

Jesus is the reason for the season!

 

 

Thanks, thanks and more thanks!

 

 

I have so many reasons to be giving thanks this year; perhaps if I share my partial list, I can also get you current on all the wonderful things going on in my life...

 

So, in no particular order, Let me share with you:

 

The hubster and his newly forged friendship with Linda Lou:

 

 

 

I'm thankful I can still, at the ripe old age of 63, run AND compete:

 

 

 

And occasionally win:

 

 

And be the proud mother of a winner as well:

 

 

This was the year I got a wonderful Father's Day gift from Andy and Ashley:

 

 

 

 

 

Yes!  it's a

 

BOY!!!

He'll be here mid-February!!!!!

 

There is the new home with enough bedrooms for grandchildren to visit:

 

 

A wonderful patio in the back:

 

 

AND a dressing room for all my shoes!

 

.

 

I'm thankful for that darn birthday fairy

 

and the opportunity to celebrate my mom's 83rd birthday!

 

 

We celebrated Ashley's graduation from nursing school...

 

 

Of course, it's a no-brainer to remember and be thankful for time on the river...

 

 

 

And bicycle rides!

 

 

Ron and I got to go all kinds of neat places, like Thousand Islands,

Atlantic City, Texas and Florida...

And Boston!

 

 

 

As always and forever, I'm thankful for:

 

 Andy, Vicky, Michael and Tony

 

 

 Michael and Catherine

 

 

Jamie and Vicky

 

 

Andy and Ashley

 

 

Tony and Noelle

Whew!  And to think, that's just a partial list...

I could go on and on and on!

 

Also, I'm so thankful for friends and family who take time to visit my blog!

 

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving...

I'll be back soon!

Promise!

 

Love,

Jan

 

A day late and a dollar short and a heartfelt THANK YOU!

Yesterday morning I woke up and remembered to count my blessings.  Not only did I have a roof over my head, coffee in my pot, toast in my toaster and warm (hand knit) socks, but I had the 3 F's:

Faith, Family and Freedom!

I practiced my faith by saying a prayer of thanks for my family and freedom and decided to get dressed and go to town and pay homage to those who secured our freedom for us...at the Veteran's Day Parade!

My adopted home town is small in stature and population, 2.7 square miles and only 15,000 people, but we take our parades seriously!

ALL the county high school marching bands participate...

  

Scout troups and other organizations take time to march and honor our veterans:

Did I ever tell you that Butler is the REAL home of the Jeep?  Yes, the Jeep was invented here!

Of course, no local parade would be complete with the Shriners in their funny cars!

They are so funny, doing figure 8's.  I love to hear the kids squeal when it looks like they will crash into each other.

Here comes the county treasurer!

Usually the guy who walks behind these horses with a snow shovel and a garbage can gets a lot of applause,  this year was no exception!

The kids standing next to me were so impressed with these guys.  They had real swords!

Don't know who this guy is, but he sure wins hands down for the best sweater:

~sigh~

Don't you just love parades?  I do!

Hey, even though Veteran's Day is gone, it's never too late to say thanks when you have a chance.

God Bless America!

Love you guys,

JAN

In a heartbeat, or in this case, the lack of one...

Your life can change, your world can tilt in strange ways, your heart can break.

Trust me, I know.  This afternoon, unexpectedly and suddenly, my husband of 26 years died of a massive heart attack.  My life is forever changed, my world is spinning out of control, my heart is broken.

Still, his sense of family, his faith and his belief each one of us is capable, worthy and lovable as well as his faith in God will pull us through this, one second at a time.

I will miss him fiercely.  Prayers welcome.

Love,
Jan