No Fun January

Honestly, I don't know where the past two months have gone.  It's been horribly cold this winter which I guess has been alright since I haven't been able to do much.  In January, a week after getting home from our Christmas traveling, found me back in the ER.  This time I was admitted with a blocked bile duct and infected liver.  They scheduled me for an ERCP to have a gallstone removed.  I was in a lot of pain and by the time they took me in for the procedure the next day, the pain meds were barely touching it.  Two weeks later I was scheduled for surgery to remove said gall bladder.  I knew prayers were working and that I ended up out at this hospital for a reason as the surgeon very frankly admitted to me just prior to surgery that he did not go into surgery alone.  That he prayed before every surgery for God to be there with him.  He told us later that the surgery had been a bit difficult with the gall bladder swollen.  He said it looked like that of a 65 year old man!  Yuck!  It's been a week and I am healing up nicely.  John did an awesome job helping me during my two stays in the hospital.  And I appreciate so much that he was able to be with me during most of my stay. But, I was again reminded how difficult it is to live away from family.  It's a rather lonely feeling. 



So, it's just not been a fun month.  I feel tired, unmotivated, and really behind on everything I had planned to do this winter.  We had some beautiful snow falls which I wasn't able to go out and photograph, but here are a few neighborhood shots of the "big" storm.  We got about 10-12 inches, which took the poor neighborhood kid about 3 hours to shovel.

 

I was blessed this month with two new birds in my backyard, a mockingbird and a northern flicker.  They've been back several times.  They were hard to photograph through the window.

 

 



 

 

 

 

Thankful for the Music

We think we have found a church finally.  It'll be nice to get plugged back in, start meeting some people out in this area.  I loved the music.  Their band included a violinist, which just adds a beautiful touch.  It reminded me how much I love the sound of strings...maybe I'll dust off my violin.  I miss the days when all us girls were playing, when our home was constantly filled with music.  Ari has started playing Viola again and has joined an orchestra at school. I hope to see one of their concerts this Spring.

Joy Dare

39.  Cozy fireplaces.

40.  Flickering candle light.

 41-43.  Three Gifts found in Christ, Love, Sacrifice, Mercy

44.  Peppermint mochas.

45.  Sleeping kitty curled up in my lap.

46.  Sweet violin music.

 47.  Reminders of what once was.

48.  My camera.

49.  Afternoon with a friend.

50.  All the beautiful women in my life.

51.  Rainbows...saw one out the back window this morning!
And, no, this was not my view, though wish it were!  lol!

Heading Home

On the second leg of my little get-away, I went HOME.  You know, the place that no matter how long you're gone or how far away you are, it's always HOME.  I drove up from Kentucky to Ohio.  I took my time, even took a little side trip through some countryside.  I couldn't believe I saw two eagles.  The one was sitting in a field and as I slowed down, it flew up into the trees. 

 

 I spent a couple days at my in-laws.  Here I rested, watched the falling snow and the birds, enjoyed the company of my second mom.  Then I went to stay with mom.

We enjoyed just being together, antique shopping, going to lunch, and a movie with my sisters where we laughed until we cried.  We discovered a few new antique shops downtown where I bought a vintage camera.

We had dinner with a few of my aunts and cousins and I spent the day with my Aunt Bonnie where we talked photography for hours.  Her 4 year old granddaughter played model for us...what a cutie.  Spent the day with my newest nephew and fell in love, He's the sweetest little guy I know.

Before I knew it, it was time to head home, but I really was ready.  I'd been blessed by all the beautiful women in my life...loved on, listened to, hugged.  They filled up my empty cup and reminded me that I'm not alone even though I'm far away.  Thank you all for a great trip!

 

Kentucky Visit

Have you ever just needed to get away...away from your everyday life, escape from the stresses and worries?  That was me a few weeks ago.  I just needed time to rest, refresh, and reconnect.  John was supposed to head to England and I decided to spend some time visiting family.  Well, his trip got canceled but I still needed this time for myself.  My first stop was in Kentucky to see my Aunt Sharon who lives out in the country.

We shopped antique stores and peddler's malls, did lunches, spent time visiting with my cousins and talked about everything under the sun.  We talked about our kids and motherhood, our disappointments and joy, friendships lost and found.  We took a wonderful Sunday drive around the countryside in search of old barns.  I learned that Kentucky barns are different than other barns.  Built for drying tobacco, they are simple structures usually painted black in order to absorb the sun's heat and help in the drying process.

  

They live on a large plot of land and often have wild animals come through.  This trip we caught sight of some deer and coyotes.

Kentucky is also horse country with thoroughbred horses and grand stables.

They are just resting!

Going Fake

Christmas trees...those beautiful, wonderful smelling, green things we bring into our homes every year and decorate with sparkly lights and glittery ornaments.  Ours usually gets picked out the day or so after Thanksgiving and stays put until the branches are stiff and half the needles have gone missing!  For many years, my hubby has tried talking us girls into a fake tree.  Oh, you know...

less mess, 

no clean up, 

won't die, 

save money

...the list goes on.  Traditions are hard to break, so we've stood our ground and not given in.  Well, with both girls gone this year, I lost the battle and gave into the fake tree.  Then came home and cried over the fact that 46 years of tradition just flew out the window.

 The week before everyone was coming home for Thanksgiving, I wanted to have the decorations all up and the tree decorated.  Our first Christmas hauling up the huge box of Christmas tree "parts."  We got it together and I unfolded all the branches, still pouting about the fact there was no pine smell filling the house and threatening to take it down, pack it back up, and take it back.  I put the garland and the lights on and waited for Beki to get home to help decorate...one tradition I didn't have the heart to break.  It's together, it's beautiful and I can, honestly say, it's kind of grown on me the past couple of weeks.  It actually, almost looks real.  But just in spite...I might leave it up until Valentine's Day!!!  HeeHee!

I played Santa Claus and traveled 3 hours to see Ari and deliver their Christmas presents since they won't be home this year.  While I was there she said she had to give me part of my present so she could explain.  She handed me a small tissue wrapped gift.  Inside were a couple green candles.  I could smell the pine needles before she had the chance to say, "Do you know what it is?"  She knew how disappointed I was and bought me pine scented candles to burn so I could still enjoy my fake Christmas tree. 

Christmas Greetings

Dear Friends and Family,

It's that time of year again.  Thanksgiving has passed and it's a mad rush to get everything done on our holiday lists.  And we're no exception.  The past few days have been a flurry of browsing and buying and card making.  In all the busyness of this time of year,we hope you all take time to relax with your families, make memories, and enjoy the season.

It's been an incredible year for all of us.  I'm not sure we could have squeezed in any more major life events! A lot of you started the year out with us celebrating Ari and Anthony's wedding on January 1st.

 

 Everything came together beautifully.  It was a wonderful wedding.  They are quickly approaching their first anniversary!  The wedding was followed by Beki's Show Choir competitions and performances which were amazing and very high energy.  Senior prom was in April and that was bittersweet as it was not only Beki's last prom but ours as well.  

 

 John and I also snuck away for a little R and R at our favorite getaway, Sedona, Arizona.  We can't get enough of this place.  It's our little piece of heaven here on earth. 

 

In May, we watched with pride as our last walked down the aisle to receive her diploma with honors. With tears in my eyes, I realized that life was never going to be the same...we were at a turning point that all parents face as their kids are about to embark on their own journey.

In June, we put our house up for sale and had it sold within 6 weeks.  We moved Beki in at Missouri State in August.  She is attending the university on an academic scholarship.  She currently is studying Math Education with a minor in Spanish.  That was probably the hardest thing I had to do all year...say good-bye to my baby girl.  John and I spent a month in limbo living the city life in a very urban apartment in the Central West End of St. Louis enjoying the city life.  Though as much as John would have loved to continue living like that, I was ready for my own home.  In September, we moved into our new house in Missouri and a week later, we took a ten day trip to Zion National Park.

 

John also applied for a promotion within his agency and we recently found out he got the job.  So, we are now settled into our new home, trying to get used to the new area, finding a new church and just adjusting to the idea of being empty-nesters. It's been quite a year of transition and I think we are both ready for things to settle down and become "normal" again.  

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  God Bless.

John, Aimee and Beki

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
                                                                                                                                   Luke 2:8-12