CHRISTMAS 2008

Well, Christmas has been here and now it is gone. Unbelievable!! I trust all of you had a great Christmas with your family/families. We unfortunately, were not able to have our sons and families home but we got to visit with Cory, Shannon and our grand son Cian on the web cam.
What a precious boy. They all are so special. Their all my favorites!!! Teagan is looking like she is still growing well in her warm little womb also. It's coming around the corner with the arrival of our 2nd grand daughter Teagan Lee. I can hardly wait! I am sure Shannon can't wait either.
We weren't able to see Nick's family on the web cam because unfortunately, 3 out of 5 of them were extremely sick and up all night. It was not a good night for Nick as he was the only one (so far) that is not sick. What a rotten deal for them. Hopefully we will get on soon with them. Please pray for them.
Our Grandson Bryson made us rock candy crystal that I hung on our tree but we have to make sure to eat them now. Then Nick made an awesome video of the kids as they were born to the age now. AWESOME! Truly things like this are the best gifts grand parents can get. We will watch them over and over for a life time. Also, we received a book named "Room for a little One". Nick made a cd of Bryson reading the book (he is only 6) with Zeke making the sound effects (of animals in the book he is 4). It was absolutely adorable and brought great warmth to our hearts to hear them read "there is always room for one." Yet another one that we can enjoy for a life time. Cristal gave me a necklace with birthstones of our children, Nick, Cory and Cristal. Now I will add to it of all my grandkids. :) She also gave us each a mug with pictures of our grandkids on it. How cool is that! Sip in style now.
Of all the neat gifts received from all, the gift of Christ is the best. I know my children and the in-laws will be in heaven and to this day we are praying for each grand child that they will receive Jesus in their hearts also. THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL.
We were able to gather with some of my family in the early part of the day and then part of Kevin's family in the evening at our home so really we had a good day but I was exhausted from all the coming and going so I am looking forward to things slowing down now.
I pray everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND NOW WE WILL PREPARE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR---2009.

CHRIST IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Can you believe it? The Holidays are all ready upon us. I am sure we all are enjoying putting up the Christmas trees and lights and nativity scenes. These are all fun and memorable but I want us to remember THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! Luke chapter 2 tells the story of the birth of our Saviour. Luke 2:10-11 says, And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. I am so thankful for this. I hope all of you will take the time to remember this wonderful Gift that GOD gave to us all. If you are not a child of GOD'S than I pray that you will take this free gift now and ask him into your heart. Become a child of God's starting this glorious Holiday season. In my previous blog I put many of the Thankful things I have been blessed with so if you would like just scroll down to that to read my blog. Even those mentioned are just a few of the many many things I am thankful for but wanted to share some. It's been an interesting year with health and all but GOD has been in control of all of them and will continue to be so forever.
MAY EACH OF YOU HAVE A VERY GLORIOUS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MANY REASONS FOR A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? FOUR MORE DAYS UNTIL THE HOLIDAY SEASON STARTS!
NEEDLESS TO SAY, I FOR ONE HAVE MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR. WHERE SHOULD I START? I WILL MAKE A LIST FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO PRESENT.
1.) JANUARY STARTED OUT WITH KEVIN & I CELEBRATING 31 YEARS OF MARRIAGE. I LOVE YOU KEVIN. LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY MANY MORE.
2.) JANUARY WAS THE MONTH THAT OUR ONE AND ONLY DAUGHTER, CRISTAL WAS BORN. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR HER.
3.) JANUARY IS ALSO THE MONTH THAT OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. AMANDA WAS BORN. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE WONDERFUL WIFE THAT SHE IS TO NICK AND THE FANTASTIC MOTHER SHE IS TO OUR 3 WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN.
4.) FEBRUARY WAS THE MONTH THAT KEVIN HAD A BACK PROCEDURE DONE THAT MADE HIM STAY HOME FOR SIX WEEKS. I CERTAINLY ENJOYED THAT BUT MOST OF ALL, I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD'S HEALING OF HIS BACK.
5.) FEBRUARY WAS ALSO THE MONTH THAT WE DECIDED TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY FOR MYSELF (TAMMIE). LEAVING IT ALL IN THE LORD'S HANDS FOR THE OUTCOME.
6.)MARCH IS THE MONTH THAT OUR OLDEST SON NICK WAS BORN AND HE TURNED 29 THIS YEAR. WOW THE BIG 30 THIS NEXT YEAR NICK. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU AND THE WORK YOU DO FOR THE LORD AS WELL AS YOUR WIFE AMANDA.
7.) APRIL-WELL, I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER.
8.) MAY WAS A BIG CELEBRATION MONTH. KEVIN HAD A BIRTHDAY PLUS IT WAS MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR MY FIRST BRAIN SURGERY THAT WAS A SUCCESS FOR MY ESSENTIAL TREMORS. MY HEALING WAS LONG BUT WELL WORTH IT. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR TECHNOLOGY TODAY AND MOST OF ALL FOR GOD'S HEALING POWER.
9.)JUNE IS THE STARTING OF SUMMER MONTHS. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR SUMMER AS I AM NOT A REAL FAN OF WINTER.
10.) JULY, WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR OUR GRANDSON EZEKIEL DANIEL CHURCH CAUSE HE WAS BORN THEN.
11.) AUGUST WAS A VERY THANKFUL MONTH BECAUSE THE LORD ANSWERED OUR PRAYER THAT WE STARTED BACK IN FEBRUARY CONCERNING MY DISABILITY. GOD ANSWERED BY HAVING MY DISABILITY APPROVED WITH NO COMPLICATIONS ANYWHERE AND HAVING NO HELP FROM ANYONE BUT FROM GOD. BY THE FIRST PART OF AUGUST I HAD MY FIRST CHECK PLUS BACK PAY. WHAT A POWERFUL GOD WE HAVE!!!! AUGUST IS ALSO A MONTH OF WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. BOTH OF OUR SONS, NICK AND AMANDA WERE MARRIED AND CORY AND SHANNON WERE MARRIED. THIS IS ALSO THE MONTH THAT IS SHANNON'S BIRTHDAY, INFACT, HER AND CORY GOT MARRIED ON THEIR WEDDING DAY. GOD HAS BLESSED US TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH SUCH GREAT WIVES THAT ARE DEVOTED TO THEIR HUSBANDS AND TO THE LORD. PRAISE THE LORD FOR OUR FAMILY. AUGUST WAS ALSO CRISTAL'S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF WORKING AT JCPENNEY. JOBS ARE HARD NOW AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR HER DEVOTION TO WORK.
12.) SEPTEMBER WAS A GREAT MONTH OF THANKSGIVING WHEN OUR FIRST GRAND DAUGHTER, ARIANNA JANE CHURCH WAS BORN. THIS IS ALSO THE MONTH THAT MY DAD EXPERIENCED SOME SERIOUS HEART ISSUES AND WITH MUCH PRAYER FROM MANY AND A PROCEDURE DONE THAT HE HAD A DEFRIBULATOR/PACE MAKER PUT IN, HE IS DOING GREAT AND IS EVEN OUT DEER HUNTING THIS MONTH. THANKFUL JESUS!
13.) OCTOBER IS A BUSY MONTH WITH BIRTHDAYS. LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR AS CORY, MYSELF (TAMMIE) AND OUR GRANDSON CIAN ANDREW CHURCH WERE ALL BORN THAT MONTH. CIAN IS FIRST BORN SON OF CORY AND SHANNON. THIS WAS ALSO WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT CORY AND SHANNON WILL BE BLESSING US WITH ANOTHER GRAND DAUGHTER AROUND THE FIRST OF MARCH. HER NAME IS TEAGAN LEE. HOW COOL IS THAT! OCTOBER WAS ALSO THE MONTH THAT I HAD TO HAVE MY SECOND BRAIN SURGERY FOR MY ESSENTIAL TREMORS FOR MY OPPOSITE SIDE. PRAISE THE LORD IT WENT WELL. WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THE LORD'S HEALING POWER? I FOR ONE AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY LORD AND SAVIOUR. TO GO THROUGH BRAIN SURGERY TWICE TAKES A LOT OF PATIENCE AND CARE FROM FAMILY AND I AM SO SO THANKFUL FOR MY LOVING HUSBAND WHO HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO TAKE CARE OF ME AND THE HOUSE AS I HEAL. I AM SURE HE WILL BE GLAD WHEN I CAN GET HELPING ONCE AGAIN. I AM THANKFUL FOR MY DAUGHTER CRISTAL ALSO AS SHE HAS TAKEN CARE OF THINGS WHEN KEVIN HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK. THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU AND I LOVE YOU LOTS!
14.) NOW IT IS NOVEMBER---THE MONTH WE OBSERVE THANKSGIVING! WITH THE YEAR 2008 COMING TO AN END I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE. AS I THINK UPON THE MONTH, I AM THANKFUL THAT CORY HAS A JOB NOW WORKING AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH DAKOTA. THANKFUL FOR HIS DEVOTION TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVING THEM. KEVIN AND I ARE SO THANKFUL FOR OUR 4 GRAND CHILDREN WITH ONE ON THE WAY (IN MARCH). THEY ARE THE APPLE OF OUR EYE AND THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD LIKE HAVING GRAND CHILDREN. OF COURSE, THERE ARE MANY MORE THINGS THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR BUT THIS IS JUST A LIST OF THINGS I WANTED TO JOT DOWN.
SO IF ANY OF YOU KIDS READ THIS: PLEASE KNOW THAT YOUR DAD AND I ARE SO VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF EACH OF YOU AND WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR LIVES. GOD BLESSED US WITH 3 GREAT KIDS, WITH 2 WONDERFUL DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS THAT WE CONCIDER DAUGHTERS AND 4 PLUS ONE ON THE WAY GRAND KIDS THAT ARE THE BEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD. WE LOVE AND MISS EACH OF YOU!!!!!!

BUT THE MOST I AM THANKFUL FOR IS FOR MY LORD AND SAVIOUR. MY SALVATION FROM SIN. I AM THANKFUL THAT HE HAS SAVED EVERYONE CHILD OF OURS INCLUDING THEIR WIVES AND SINCE THE DAY EACH OF OUR GRAND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BORN WE HAVE PRAYED FOR THEIR SALVATION ALSO, SO BRYSON, EZEKIEL, ARIANNA AND CIAN AND OUR FUTURE TEAGAN PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU TO GIVE YOUR HEART TO JESUS SOME DAY WHEN YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS. YOUR PAPA AND MEME CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DAY WHEN WE RECEIVE THAT PHONE CALL SAYING "I JUST ASKED JESUS INTO MY HEART". WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY THAT WILL BE.
GOD HAS GIVEN US MUCH AND WE COULD GO ON FOR EVER AND EVER BUT MOST OF ALL HE GAVE US THE CHOICE TO HAVE LIFE WITH HIM.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

SOUTH DAKOTA TRIP

Well, our trip came and went all ready. We had a blast, seen and did many fun things like:
a trip to Country Bear USA where you see many different animals roaming the area. The pictures of animals that I will post are taken at the Country Bear USA. The Badlands where Cory and Kevin climbed up to a cave to explore, went to Custer State Park to bugle in some elks (which unfortunately we did not see any-RATS!) After wards we went to a great steak restaurant in Hill City, SD called The Alpine. YUMMY!!!! We celebrated Cian's first birthday along with Cory's birthday and Brian's birthday (Shannon's dad). We found out that same week we are having our second grand daughter born in March of 2009 :) . We shopped a lot, spent the week end at Shannon's parent's home in Spearfish which received 3-5 inches of that white stuff we call snow. :( While there we went to Hill City again to take a 1880's steam engine locomotive ride through the mountains between Hill City and Keystone, SD. That was the first day it started snowing. One of the pictures I will post if one that Kevin took looking out the window of the front of the locomotive. The picture reminds me of The Polar Express.
We enjoyed so much being with Cory, Shannon and Cian. Cian is growing so fast and is just one funny fella. We always have a great time with Shannon's family. We are looking forward to going out again in March to welcome our grand daughter, Teagan Lee.

Fly Away vs. Work - No Fair!!

Tammie gets to fly away on a jet plane and I get to stay home and work. There's something terribly unfair here. Oh well, I'm really glad she can get to spend time with the kids and that they enjoy having her. I miss Tammie when she is gone, so you know what I do? That's right, I tackle a "PROJECT". Do I love to work or what? I AM SICK!!
This time it was one of the last uncharted territories of our little homestead. It was a place that all MEN cherish. THE GARAGE. That's right, I gutted the old garage like stabbing a knife in a dead deer and pulling all the guts out and tossing them aside and letting out a primal scream, ARRRRRRRR. Well it was just the cabinets and they went to the dump, but you can see for yourself by the pictures. All I can say is "new and improved". I think it turned out well.
You might be asking what in the world is he gonna do next time Tammie flies that big jet plane? Stay tuned.

WE'RE LEAVING ON A JET PLANE AGAIN IN 5 DAYS!

Well, it has been an incredible two weeks in GA. I got to spend that time with Nick, Amanda and 3 of our grandchildren. Lots of fun memories were made. God has certainly blessed us with fun loving and funny grand children.
I was able to watch the kids many times as Nick and Amanda were able to enjoy some time out doing stuff that normally is harder to do with 3 kids. Of course, I enjoyed every minute I was there playing with them.
Bryson started his first soccer season games while I was there. I will have a few pictures of that. Nick is also his coach. :) Bryson is getting the hang of the game and almost made a couple goals. OH SOOOO CLOSE! Zeke enjoyed cheering for his brother also.
Zeke had his 8 hour sleep test and they determined he does not have seizures. The first doctor had been treating him for that now they do not say he is having them, possibly migraine but Nick and Amanda are just unsure about it so they are getting 2 and possibly 3rd opinions. I am glad they are pursuing this. So please pray about this as those of us as parents hate to see our children go through any medical difficulties. It is only by prayer that we have the strength to go through these trials.
AJ is running all over. Needless to say, I slept very well at bedtime. She is a very pretty lovely little princess (so her daddy calls her) that is definitely a daddy's girl. It is so sweet. She reminds me of linus. Dragging her blanket behind her and sucking her thumb. SO SWEET!
I will have pictures to follow.
I even had the chance to go to Savannah with all the family and eat at "Lady and Sons" restaurant in Savannah, GA. This is Paula Dean's restaurant. For those of you who do not know her, she has a cooking show on TV. HEY YA'LL---you should be watching her and learning to cook scrumptious food. :) FOOD WAS OF COURSE FANTASTIC. EVEN HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH HER (cardboard of course.) It was a very fun and enjoyable time.
The time went to fast and is always fun being with all of them. Lots of laughs from the boys but I especially will remember that every morning between 7 and 7:30 am Bryson would crawl into bed with me and then about a half hour later little Zeke would come out and crawl into bed on the other side. Now what meme wouldn't enjoy that? I remind you that these pictures of me in the bed with the boys is in the morning--we all know what we look like in the morning, right? I will always cherish those moments and memories. One day (and it will arrive to soon) they will be to big to do this so I will take every chance of it now.
Now that I am home in 5 days (Friday, Oct. 3rd) Kevin, Cristal and I will be flying out to SD to visit Cory, Shannon and our grandson Cian for 1 1/2 weeks. Cian will be turning one year old then. WE can hardly wait to see him (and of course his mommy and daddy also).
There will also be a picture of AJ experiencing her first lemon so I have her expression of that also.
As Shannon mentioned her in blog, please leave a comment because it is always nice to know that someone is reading our updates, even if it is a Hello! :)