I Won't be home for Christmas :(

Shannon has kept most of you up to date on the Arctic Blast. Infact most of you who even read my blog, live in the midst of the winter storm. However, I needed to update my blog. We were planning on driving home to Vancouver, this year. But the weather seems to have other plans for us. My parents sent some pictures of their house the other day.

The snow is oh so marvelous, except when it keeps you from the family that you love and miss so much. Merry Christmas to everyone!

My Little Model!

My little beauty!


Mikelle got her hair done today, and of course we had to take some snapshots! She isn't shy about posing. She even walked the "catwalk"! She would have loved to worn it all down, but the stylist thought it was too grown up.

20 year Reunion?

It has begun, and I can hardly believe it. I received my first notification for my 20 year high school reunion, for next August. Wow, where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday that we were all gathered for our 10 year reunion. Well, maybe not "yesterday", but atleast only a couple of years ago. High school was a great time. I had a great group of friends, and I look forward to as many reunions as possible. A few months ago, I was able to go home and get together with about 8 girlfriends from high school. It's amazing the laughs, and good conversations you can have with friends you haven't seen in years. The bond of high school, ties ya forever, in a special way. Now would I ever go to high school again, NO. Man, it's tough, with the peer pressure, boys, drama.....must I go on. But when you are that age, you can bounce back. I recently joined Facebook, and have been in touch with many familiar faces. I look forward to seeing how many more people make me their "friend" on FB. It just doesn't seem like it was 20 years ago that I was standing in the rain at Vikki's house, while Bette Midlers song, "Wind Beneath My Wings", played on the car stereo...and we hugged goodbye. Now I have 3 children, and she has 2. Wow.... It can't be close to 30 years that I used to go to Colettes house and make peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and watch her dog hump on it's stuffed animal. Lol! It can't be 25 years since Erica ran around in figure 8's singing "Everything is coming up roses"! Has it really been that long?

TRACK BREAK SHOW DOWN!

We are only in week 1 of track break, as I have already mentioned. The thing that I have not mentioned is.....there is a showdown a brewin' between me and my youngest. I think only one of us is going to make it out alive! And let's just say, I ain't ready to die!

She only looks innocent! Trust me. Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep my kids busy. Or how to bury her without getting caught! Just kidding, I think!

Christmas Spirit!

Miah and Mikelle are home on track break right now. For those of you who don't live in cities with year round schools, "track break" is basically their summer break gets broken up into 4 or 5 different breaks throughout the year. Each school has 5 tracks, and one track is always out. They don't have school the entire month of December! I know, I am lucky, but I will try not to brag. Ok, kidding! Yes, I like having them home....at times. Like right now they are decorating a gingerbread house, and they are working together. It's just when they get bored and start arguing. We are going to continue decorating for Christmas. This is probably the latest I have ever put up my tree. We usually do it during the Thanksgiving weekend. Now that December came upon us so quickly, I feel rushed. I haven't bought even 1 Christmas present. I really need to dig down deep, and focus on the "reason for the season" and all that important stuff. I was hoping that helping serve the homeless on Thanksgiving would help put life in perspective during this Christmas. It does, but then the things that I am used to doing, pop up in my mind. Then just wanna rush out and spend, and shop til you drop! I went to the movie yesterday with two of my girlfriends; Laurie and Laurie. Laurie B. totally treated me! She paid for everything and it was such a blessing and a great treat to spend time with them both. We saw "Australia". I really liked it, and would recommend it! Well, I am just kind of rambling. Oh, and one more very important thing. Yesterday was my mom's birthday. It stinks living so far away! Wish I lived there so I could have come over and given her a big hug! Thanks for being the best mom ever! Hopefully next year I will be able to come over and give you that hug, mom!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

In a world full of economic woes, downfalls, slumps, etc....I still have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my Jesus, who has forgiven me, cleansed me, and continues to help me each and everyday. I am thankful for my husband, who puts up with me, loves me, and is so cute. I am thankful for my girls, who drive me crazy, make me smile, light up a room, and make me so proud. I am thankful for the family I was born into...Dad, mom, and Shannon. What a great foundation I was given. I love that my sister and I are more than sisters, but are great friends. I love that my parents have always worked so hard to maintain a relationship with their grandkids, even though we are so far a part. I am thankful that all my daily needs are met, far exceedingly! I am also thankful for great friends, who love me, put up with me, eat with me, cry with me, and laugh with me!
Today we went up to our church to help minister to the homeless. We all worked as a family as "hosts". It was our job to walk 2 men around from station to station. To make them feel comfortable, to minister, and be their friend. They were provided with many wonderful opportunities including; clothes, jackets, backpacks (full of goodies), dental care, medical care, showers, the ability to go on-line, or make a phone call, manicures, legal council.......and at the end of all that, a fantastic meal. What a wonderful opportunity for all of us to remember just how blessed we are. As we went into eat, Pastor John said a prayer, and that is when I just started crying. As he thanked God for all our many blessings, it hit me, that even if I was the one homeless, I would still need to thank Him. This world encourages us to keep on wanting, until there is nothing else left. Today, Bob and Steve, just wanted some socks, a warmer jacket, and a hot meal. Everytime I put on a pair of shoes, I don't stop and thank God for them. I am so truly blessed. Thank you Lord for each and everything in my life! My kids were a bit nervous at first and then they were just great. I have to say that Madi is a natural. She was able to make conversation, and just be herself. Miah and Mikelle were so good about serving the food and making sure their drinks were full and such. I hope all of you had a tremendously blessed day as well.

Beyonce' at AMA

I don't like music videos, have never been to a concert, and find most live performances kind of boring. However, this year Beyonce' did her little jig at the American Music Awards! I have watched it so many times. I find it totally catchy and entertaining. I apologize if her "shakin' her groove thing" bothers you. I just imagine that if any of us ever got up the nerve to dance for our husbands, we would wish we could do it like this. And I guarantee they wouldn't mind. Hope you enjoy! Watch Beyonce dance herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uerTtXtgye4
I went out and bought my leotard today! LOL!