On Tuesday night, it snowed! It was our first real snow of the year. The trees were lovely, just like this... I didn't take this picture. Martyn E. Jones did. I wish I had. I haven't picked up my camera as much as I would like recently. I wanted a snow day yesterday so I could spend some time getting ready for this season. Today marks the first day of December. I'm excited and a bit not. Does that make sense to you? It does to me, because this is what I have figured out. I love CHRISTmas! I love decorating our CHRISTmas tree and singing CHRISTmas hymns. I love the snow outside and … Read More...
As of Late…
I saw this at another Kristen's, with whom I've recently become acquainted online. This spoke to my heart. So, I'm spontaneously jumping in. Lately, I've been eating too many little Snicker bars. Chocolate is so good! Lately, I've been exhausted by the day to day demands of my busy teacher life. Lately, I've been going to bed early. It's what I do when I'm too exhausted (both mentally and physically) to do anything else. Lately, I've been drinking hot chocolate every morning. It's turned cold in Indiana! Lately, I've been counting down the days until vacation. Only 4 more … Read More...
Dear Mom
Dear Mom, You give great hugs. You have a contagious laugh. You are a wonderful cook and baker. You are an amazingly talented organist. You exemplify patience. You are a picture of discretion, always choosing a positive outlook. You are devoted to your family. You are a graceful pastor's wife. You are a caring friend. You drove thousands of miles to take all of your children to Lutheran schools. You stayed at home for us. You showed me how to live frugally and how to do so joyfully! You taught me how to keep an orderly house, and how to make that house, a home. You … Read More...
Time with My Brother
I have no stumbles for you this week. With the many worshipful moments of this Holy Week, my time has been otherwise (appropriately) engaged. Plus, my brother is visiting from Saint Louis for Easter. I'm enjoying the time with my husband and my brother. I'm looking forward to sitting between them and singing Easter hymns tomorrow at Son-Rise worship! Since I don't have links to share, I will share a picture of Joel and I, from several summers ago. I love my little, er, younger, brother! I hope your weekend is filled with joyful family moments, worshiping our risen Lord and Savior! … Read More...
Thankfulness for Grandparents
This weekend, my husband and I traveled to celebrate two grandparent birthdays. We stopped to see grandparents in Fort Wayne before driving to Indianapolis to see grandparents there. My grandparents live further away in Ohio and Kansas, so it's nice to have two sets close in Indiana. My husband and I are blessed to have all of our grandparents still living. All eight of them are still married (for 50 plus years each) and in love with their spouses. Andy and I are blessed to have their examples to emulate! Here is a picture that I cherish from our wedding. Here we all are together to … Read More...
A Canning Saturday
It's the first Saturday after a full week of school. My husband and I both had good weeks teaching at our respective Lutheran schools. That said, we were tired after a busy first week. We went to bed early and slept until we awoke. I awoke first to the crickets chirping and crossed the dew covered lawn to pick tomatoes. This is what I picked...and there are still tomatoes on our ten tomato plants! As a result, I spent the day in the kitchen - dicing, chopping, peeling, cooking and canning. I diced enough tomatoes, peppers and onions to make a double batch of my Aunt Renee's … Read More...