Merry Christmas Eve...

I don't know if you can see, but Abby is sitting on the Christmas Presents looking out the window. She stayed in that spot most of the time the tree has been up. She loves to look out. Santa is bringing her a perch to put in the window to watch out all the time.

The front of the house. In the window to the right is a candle thing and there is a wreath on the door and in the upstairs window there is a lit sign that says Merry Christmas in red and green. The Santa on the right goes up and down in the chimney and every time it comes up, Heidi barks at it. (if she is where she can see it.) There are also lit candy canes on either side of the steps. Of course the Christmas Tree in the left window.

We just had a game of Monopoly and I thought I was going to really rack it up but Mark somehow talked Jeremy out of Park Place so he owned that Monopoly and one other one that he had hotels on and it killed me. It was the first time though that I was a winner...almost...anyway, we had a great family time playing...then we played Outburst...not keeping score, just playing. We enjoyed our Christmas eve and now are getting ready to go to bed. I filled the guy's stockings and I am fixing to go upstairs to rest my weary bones. I have a day full of cooking tomorrow. So, Merry Christmas eve and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Oh yeah...I prayed we'd have a white Christmas...ok...so it snowed and iced..then got above freezing so we have a big mess...but it's white...in places. No snow for tomorrow...they said maybe flurries tomorrow night. WHERE IS ALL THE SNOW???????

Take care and enjoy your Christmas Day!!!

WE'RE IN!!!

I am now a Central Michigan University Mom. Jeremy has orientation on the 5th of January and will start classes on the 8th. We are very excited. Jeremy is the most, which he should be. It is time for him to move on and to start down this path in his life. Please pray for him as he starts this journey. The choices he makes the next couple of years can make or break him.

GOOD LUCK JER!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

My Brother Greg

This is a pic that my brother Greg sent me the other day. I had to kid him about the grey beard!! I love him to death and miss him dearly. He lives in Lawton, OK with his wife Kim.

YOU WANT A GOOD CHRISTMAS LAUGH?

If you are kinda bah-humbugged...go to this web-site and you will get a very merry laugh....

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=d6efc470b981accd509e5b0G06121812



Merry Christmas....

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS....

I thought when we moved up here to the bitter north that we would always have a white Christmas. It is looking as though we may not this year. It has been record highs. It is 9:19 pm and it is 38 out. To those in the south I know that seems cold but here it is warm. By this time of the year we should have a nice blanket of snow on the ground and the temps staying in the 20's during the day and the teens or single numbers at night. I guess it is helping on the fuel bill. Our last one was $68.00 and this new one that I just got today was $102.00. I hope it doesn't double each month!!!

I really hope we get some snow by Christmas. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Please do not put Merry X-mas on anything...take the time to write out Christ's name...Merry Christmas...don't leave Christ out of Christmas!!!

Peace on Earth...

R

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

This is my centerpiece on my table. I just bought a serving tray at Wal-mart and I had the candle ring and then the little candle holders in each corner have poinsettas on them. That's it. It is really lovely.

We got a great deal on the 7-1/2 foot pre-lit Christmas tree. I tell you what...the pre-lit is the way to go!! Anyway, we think that this is the prettiest tree we have ever had. We just put a red and gold ribbon on it and then our family ornaments. Each year we buy a "special" family ornament. Plus we have red and gold balls and ornaments.

Also, just because there are a few big boxes under the tree does not necessarily mean the present is big!!! We loke to play jokes on each other. This year Mark and Jeremy have each out done themselves with each others gift to make sure that the other has to work for it. I'll fill you in later. Just picture......Godzilla vs. Mothra...I have the video camera ready to go.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season!!! By the way, we went to see the movie "The Nativity". It was truly beautiful. I recommend everyone see it.

See ya!
R

Goodbye to a Hero...

Monday we attended the funeral for our friend and hero Jim Priestap. It was held at the armory in Kingsford. There were over 1,000 people who viewed his body on Sunday and then at least that many, if not more who attended the funeral. It was standing room only. Mark and I did sit though. I had never been to a military funeral before. I think the most touching thing was when the guard held up the flag that had been laying on his casket, held it up in front of the casket so his parents and wife and children could say a final good-bye in private before they closed the casket. Of course I was in tears most of the time. They played the song by Toby Keith, "American Soldier". They also played "My Best Friend" by Tim McGraw and his nephew sang "You Raise Me Up". The funeral was two hours long and then they went to the cemetary. Mark and I didn't go to the cemetary because he needed to get back to work so we grabbed lunch and he took me home.

I have such mixed emotions about the war in Iraq. In the beginning I supported it, but I really don't know if there is anything else we can do but attend more funerals.

The best thing we found out at the funeral is that Jim was a born again Christian and he will be waiting for us all in Heaven.

Pray for the Priestap family and all of the families that have lost loved ones to this war.

R

A Real American Hero...A Sad, Sad Day

Sadness hit our community over the Thanksgiving holidays. A friend and fellow employee of Mark's was killed in action while in Bagdad. Sgt. First Class James Priestap, known to his friends as Jim was member of the 46th Military Police National Guard Unit out of Kingsford, MI. He sustained a fatal gunshot wound on Thanksgiving Day. He is truly a hero. We had the privaledge of knowing him as he was a officer on the VA Police force while not on active duty with the military.

Jim will have a full military funeral on Monday in Kingsford. Jim leaves behind a wife, Connie and two young children and many relatives and friends. He was 39. We will miss you Jim. Thank you for your sacrafice.

Just a note, I took this picture while he was speaking at the Veterans Day program on November 11, 2005.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving and you will have a very Merry Christmas and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Take care...be safe...R