Happy New Year’s Eve 2009

I couldn’t possibly let this year come to a close without a word or two about the passage of time. Though the world is celebrating the coming year - as it should be –  I tend to get sentimental for the year prior.

The passing of time to me means that last year’s life moments are behind us. Never to be lived again.

My kids will never be small again. My face will never be taut again. I will never reside in Hawaii again. My ovaries will never reproduce again…

I know that as a Christian, I’m to look forward to the final day when I stand in judgement for the life I lived. But I’m not intellectually prodigious enough to imagine that moment. It rests in faith, and faith can be shaken and questioned and at times, it can even fall away.

But that’s our test isn’t it?

I don’t like to think that I live in the past or that I’m pessimistic about the future. But every year, at this time, I reminisce. And I wish I could live some moments over and over again.

But there are good things to come, I know it. And next year, I’ll have the occasion of looking back and treasuring those moments as well.

I started this blog as a fluk. I’m not quite sure what I was doing then, unlike now that I’m an all-knowing completely evolved person:) I want to thank you for coming and reading and living my life with me. I’ve made some wonderful friends in blog land. Reading your comments have made me laugh and made my day. So thank you, especially to those below…

Gayle
Mrs. E
Bob Towery
Jakki
ELK
Kelly
Katie

And all of you. I don’t know how it is…but I know that it just is. I look forward to sharing with you this coming year.

December 31, Snow Lace

The after.

A new year is almost upon us so the above represents a fresh new start.

And this photo represents the year before. Here’s to a promise of new beginnings! May the new year brings you health, laughter and love.

December 30, Skyward

A little color for a cold winter day.

iHeartfaces – Hilarious Outtakes

I decided to participate in this week’s challenge because I’m getting a kick out of all the entries over at iHeartfaces! It’s a good dose of medicine, laughter is.

So here’s a series of five photos from my birthday this year. I’m re-posting some of the captions, just to put it in context.

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The husband cooked dinner and the kids did the dishes for my birthday. As humble as it was, it was appreciated. The husband amused us by asking state trivia.

“What is the capital of Louisiana?”

Wikipedia says “Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge” in a French accent.

For some reason it was funny.

Then somehow the conversation drifted to bodily functions. And they wanted Wikipedia to translate in French.

And it was really funny.

So happy birthday to me.

I may not have had the most glamorous, exotic and expensive birthday. But I am truly blessed. Flatulence and all.

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See more hilarious outtakes at iHeartfaces.com.

Dad & Daughter & Lack Of Nature

If I were to do a temperament analysis on our family I would say that the girl is more like her father and the boy is more like me.

Because I wouldn’t do this. And neither would the boy.

We wouldn’t sit outside for hours, hoping to see wildlife walk into the backyard. Many times while visiting my parents’ home, we would see all kinds of critters. But not this time. Perhaps the mountain lion got them. Or the hunters.

In any case, the husband and the girl bundle up and happily sit outside during dusk, hoping to catch a glimpse of a raccoon, a beaver, or…an airplane?

They did see some deer. It’s proof that we are not alone…

December 29, Sweet Willow

Willow belongs to my brother but she is the family dog all the same. She’s a spit fire. I follow her antics, constantly changing my camera settings. Finally she gives in to sweet slumber. And finally I get a photo of her sweet little paws.

What I Got For Christmas 1

I was feeling chatty but after a six hour car trip, a little workout, and a little work issue that had to be fixed as soon as I got back – not so much now. But I wanted to show you what I got for Christmas.

I broke my long lens a few months ago while shooting a concert. I was changing lenses and it slipped out of my hands and went, bump, bump, on the concrete floor.

All I wanted for Christmas was my lens back. And the husband, sweet husband, delivered. So I took a walk in the woods and snapped, snapped, snapped away.

It’s the best Christmas ever!

Trench Warfare & Christmas Time

One of my favorite Christmas stories ever is a true one. Please forgive me because I’m going by memory. I’m not googling it.

During World War I, the world was at war and the Allie and German troops were conducting trench warfare somewhere in France. On Christmas Day, they put down their arms and celebrated Christmas together. Some people would rather emaphasize the fact that they then went back to warring with each other after that. But I like to take away the fact that there will always be difference, and disputes and well – war.

But on that one day, there was peace. And the peace was bigger than man, country and war. And it came from a place that is not of this earth. Now that’s the true story of Christmas.

We’re on our way home from my parents’ house. I hope that cat and dog are as peaceful with us and each as they were on our way up here.

I may post again when I get home today. For some reason I’m feeling chatty.

Christmas 2009 Recap

I thought I’d post some photos of some sweet people that I know. There is no rhyme or reason as to which photos I post today. Just ’cause.

And I wrote a poem for you.

A hilarious skit at our church Christmas Eve pageant.

“Christmas is a glorious time of year,
Even though I don’t know
Why a trip husband goes
When the biggest snow gets here…

Anyways…
Christmas is a glorious time of year.”

My sweet friends Jackie and Don with their son. They are salt of the earth. And she’s a doll.

“Christmas is December’s fourth of July.
The preparations are through
The shopping we do
And I felt like horsey poo.

Anyways…
Christmas is a glorious time of year.”

Our wonderful youth pastor and his family. Can you say adorable?

“Christmas is a glorious time of year…
When Jesus was born
And peace will adorn
The hearts of all who’s near.

Yes, Christmas is a glorious time of year.”

My sweet friends Danny and Leanne.

I would post photos of Christmas day but my camera did a data dump from my card so I lost all my photos. They were just boring photos of us opening our gifts anyway. The husband was on a trip on Christmas Eve and through Christmas Day and I wasn’t feeling well so I’ll just call it a lost day. But I do have photos of Christmas Eve and we celebrated with my parents the day after Christmas so there is proof that Christmas actually came.

The kids were tasked to clean up after church. They did a bang up job.

Through it all, there is a constant…God’s love that flows from him through us and to our loved ones. Jesus is a reminder that all can be right with the world on that one day. It’s a gift and I never lose sight of that.

December 28, Good Fences

Makes good neighbors. One of which had to dig us out of the big snow.

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