Favorite Christmas Photos of my Favorite People!

Everyone has gone home and the house is quiet...very quiet. Just time to post a few pics I love of the people I love most--





I snapped a few pictures of Olivia and Grandpa up to no good in the kitchen and they were LOVING every minute of it...

Something Cheery...

I think my poor neglected blog is desperately in need of something cheery. I am still not able to do too much on the computer as the things moving on the screen seem to make the vertigo significantly worse. But I am willing to suffer a bit more vertigo to post this...

I can't help but smile when I see that sweet little face, even if it is rocking a little :o)

An Interesting Way to Begin the 31st Year...

I am back after an unexpectedly long blog break... My sweet hubby and I recently went on a Western Carribean Cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We don't travel much, so this was a greatly anticipated event. We planned and prepared and waited and planned and prepared and waited. We flew to Ft. Lauderdale Friday and it was a wonderful start to a great vacation. We boarded our beautiful ship, the Crown Princess on Saturday, November 14. It was amazing! Our stateroom had been upgraded to a suite with a balcony which was also awesome. Unfortunately in my preparation I made one big mistake. I tend to have a little problem with motion sickness, so before we left I talked to my doctor and got a patch to wear to help. Even with the patch I ended up being pretty seasick the whole trip. On the upside, I lost 10 pounds because I couldn't eat much of anything :o)

We did manage to have a good time inspite of my being so sick. Our time in the ports was fun--after a couple of hours on land I usually felt a little better. Evenings when the ship would start to sail again were rough for me, but we still enjoyed some lovely dinners, dancing and shows.

However...the cruise itself is only the beginning of the story. The day we flew home, I took off the last patch and gladly threw it away. Almost exactly 24 hours later I began a nightmare of withdrawal symptoms including hallucinations, racing heart, chest pain, extreme vertigo, panic attacks, extreme pressure and ringing in my ears, blurry vision, and nausea just to name a few. The first 7 days after we got home I was pretty much worthless. I am not 100% yet, but am much, much better. I started looking at pictures tonight to edit and get ready to print. I haven't been able to do that yet and my sweet hubby is getting anxious for it to be done.

I am glad to say my dear husband decided to stick it out with me even after the rocky start to year 31 ;o) In all seriousness, I have been truly blessed by God with 30 WONDERFUL years of marriage to the best man I know. He has been a better husband, father, and friend than I could ever have imagined being blessed to spend my life with. My earnest prayer is for 30 more years and beyond to enjoy life together...oh yeah, and no more cruises!

Living Proof Live - Springfield IL from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Living Proof Live!

We just got back from an AWESOME weekend at Living Proof Live with Beth Moore in Springfield. I didn't get any good pictures, partly because we were pretty high up, and partly because I wasn't thinking about taking pictures. It was a wonderful two days of worship and teaching. Travis Cottrell is my all-time favorite worship leader and he was AMAZING! The worship times were so huge and powerful they were almost overwhelming. I loved Beth's teaching on John the Baptist--tons of awesome insight from such a familiar story. And she looked so cute...I had a case of serious jacket envy :o) I enjoyed two days of super fellowship with my sisters and tons of encouragement. I am beyond exhausted...but feel very blessed to have been a part of something so special.

Happy Halloween

A very tired, but smiley faced pumpkin girl stopped by for a visit and some treats. She got the goodies, but the treat was all ours :o)

Bootiful Girl

Had to put up a pic of the Bootiful little lady who played at our house today. This may be the only Halloween picture we see. Olivia wants nothing to do with her costume. Mommy and daddy have been trying hard to convince her that it is fun to wear a costume, but so far she is standing firm in her decision. When her dear daddy was young he was absolutely terrified of anything in a costume, so maybe it is genetic ;o)

A Musical Interlude for Your Listening Enjoyment

An old favorite from my favorite 2 year old singer: The first thing she says is "My singing it for puppy..."

Story Time with All My Friends

Olivia loves reading books with Grandpa Andy (or anybody that will read) but this particular time was a classic stall for nap time.   I told her we would read two stories then naptime.  She insisted on getting out every friend she could find (one at a time) and lining them all up for story time.  Even "Horsey names Zebra" got to sit on Grandpa's shoulder.

Edited to add: I just noticed the "tell-tale" oreo cookie crumbs around her mouth... ooops!   Maybe chocolate cookies for lunch gave her too much energy to need a nap :o)

Long Week...but Friday's Coming

We didn't get to keep Olivia on Monday, so we are anxiously waiting for Friday.  This week seems to be dragging on FOREVER!!!  Grammy is very exhausted happy when the house has toys strewn all around and a noisy girlie running, and singing and giggling!    I thought I might have to pull up the Snuggle Puppy video or Five Little Monkeys Jumpin' on the Bed tonight just to make it through...but decided to post a picture instead.  Better rest up, Friday is just around the corner ;o) 

Some Exciting News

Guess who is going to be a big sister!!!!    Grammy and Grandpa can't wait until the end of March when there will be another little Felix grandbaby to love. 

Olivia is getting in a little practice with a baby...a baby monkey, but whatever works :o)

Overheard at Grammy's Yesterday...

Olivia in my bedroom closet--
Grammy: Oh dear, I can't find my little Olivia girl...
From the closet: Don't worry Grandma Terry, your little Ya Ya girl is right in here :o)

Wait and See...God is Up to Something!

I have heard this Brandon Heath song alot and like the message, but just saw the video this morning...LOVE the video, thought  you might like it too!

Lookin' Good at Hog Days

Last week was crazy busy since it was one day short...nice, but waaaaaay busy! I decided my poor neglected blog needed a couple of my favorite shots from the big Hog Days celebration. Olivia truly enjoyed the parade experience--she ate plenty of assorted candy, a couple of suckers, a freeze pop and who knows what else. She also made out big with the necklaces as all her boy cousins were happy to share. At one point she was also wearing 3 rings and of course her darling pink sunglasses. She wore the sunglasses until the parade was over when she shoved them up on top of her head--super cute!
We all enjoyed a day of beautiful weather, delicious pork chops, extremely sweet pink pig cookies, birthday cake, a little football and lots of family fun.

Hog Days!

Heading off to the Hog Days (yes, I said Hog Days) celebration in my hometown of Kewanee, IL (the Hog Capitol of the World) with my pink pig cookies. Not everyone has such a claim to fame.

All I Have Time to Say is AMEN!

Do you know why grandchildren are always so full of energy? They suck it out of their grandparents. ~Gene Perret

What a Difference a Day Makes!!!

We took this shot of the front of the house yesterday, knowing that the big trees were coming down on Wednesday. We left early this morning for the convocation at Lincoln Christian University and came home to a HUGE surprise...

We came around the corner to see this...

The crew had today free and decided to get started early. Quite a shock, but we have been waiting to be able to afford to get this done for a loooooong time.

So there really was a house behind those trees...

Bubbles Fun!

We played with bubbles this afternoon...too much fun!

She would catch one and say, "SMASH IT, SMASH IT!"

Blowing...

Watch them fly...

Requires concentration...

LOVE the face...helping Grandpa blow!

Say Cheese

When Olivia was playing with her playdough Friday I said, "Hey, look at Grammy and say cheese" and this is what I got...

Pretty cute, huh? She does LOVE her playdough. Playdough sure doesn't seem to be as messy as it did when my kids were small, or could it be that Grammy's don't really care that much if it is messy, as long as it is fun ;o)

I included this shot so Aunt Melissa could see the cute jeans...

And this one because I love her beautiful hair...

Now Grammy will put her pictures away and get back to work :o)

Little Summer Girl

Apparently summer is not over for everyone...

Great Weekend!

We had such a nice weekend. Melissa and Jason came home for a 3 day visit. Because they were here, we got to see alot of Tom, Jennifer and Olivia; and today my mom and dad came for church, lunch and a fun afternoon of visiting. There is nothing better than having all the family around--however, I have to admit to enjoying the quiet once again :o)

My favorite picture from the weekend...
Our daughter-in-law Jennifer with her darling little daughter.

The View from my Desk!

I snapped this pic with my phone at work today. Olivia's regular sitter could not watch her at all this week, so Grammy has been filling in. Olivia helped me lead Ladies' Bible study Tuesday morning...she sat in the back and sang songs the ENTIRE time. It was adorable :o) Today we worked in my office. My desk has never seen so much fun--playdough, teddy grahams, crayons--oh yeah, and some newsletter work. I have been going back to work in the evenings to keep up. It's been a fair tradeoff! I am afraid I will be bored when I have to go back to working without the playdough :o)

A Good Read

Not much time for posting this week...Vacation Bible School (I'm already tired:o) But here is a link to a wonderful post by Mary Snyder that is so well written and expresses my feelings exactly. It is worth the few minutes it will take to read.

Oh yeah...can you see me jumping up and down??? School starts next week, which means play days with Olivia on Monday and Friday once again--Monday can't come soon enough!

Week 15 Scripture Memory Challenge

Today begins Week 15 in Beth Moore's Scripture Memory Challenge. I am doing pretty good with all 14 verses so far. I sure don't have the wonderful memory I used to have before the age 50 hormone haze set in :o(

I don't usually use the same verse Beth has chosen for herself, but when I read how this verse is speaking to her, I knew it was just the word from God I need to hear. I have copied a bit to this post, mostly so I can refer to it again and again.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.” Psalm 57:2 NIV

Here’s what God is using that verse to say to me right now: When I’m in a really hard and hurtful situation, somehow the present difficulty of it overrides my conscious thought that God is going to use it in my life and then through my life. Not one time in my entire tenure on this planet has He ever failed to turn around and use the hardship for good. NOT ONCE. Not when I gave Him enough time and cooperation. Yet, in the midst of it, I often can only hang onto Him for dear life while we ride the wave to shore and then stand there in the aftershock and look like I’ve just been on the spin cycle of a washing machine. Afterward, when He invariably turns it into some kind of maturity, intimacy, insight or ministry, I think, “Why didn’t I just trust Him for that at the time??? Why did I have to take it so personally and injuriously?” I want to learn to CONSISTENTLY claim the victory right there in the worst of the pain or crisis. At the very moment that I’m crying out to God Most High for help, as the psalmist says, I want to proclaim that He’s smack in the middle of fulfilling His purpose for me. Challenging stuff.

That's what I am trusting God to be working in me through this difficult season...maturity, intimacy, insight, ministry--whatever He chooses, it will be beautiful!

Two Years Old

Our favorite little sweetie turned two yesterday. I thought the time with my kids flew by, but I think time goes even faster in "Grammy-time". Olivia's mommy suggested a sand box as a gift possibility. I think we found a good one. Daddy and Grandpa put it together this afternoon...with a curious little helper.

As soon as they got the picnic table part assembled, Olivia sat down and said, "Oya ya needs to eat!" She got to eat a cupcake at her new table. My camera battery died so I missed a great chocolate cupcake face shot :o(

Olivia loves to be outside...I think between the new sandbox and the cool pink tricycle from her other Grandma and Grandpa, she may never want to come inside!


Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl...Grammy loves you!

Score!

Had to post a quick picture of the treasure I got at Goodwill tonight for $1.99 I haven't even cleaned it up yet...not sure what will go inside and I have spent the last 30 minutes trying to make the perfect space (or any space) for it in my room FULL of stuff. But as I frequently remind my sweet hubby--there is always space for something you love :o)

It's late and I still have a messy kitchen to clean up before bed, but I wanted to put up a favorite picture from tonight. My youngest sister and her three boys are staying with our mom/dad for a couple of days and got to come for supper tonight. I love this pic of Grandma/Great Grandma with her kiddos...

Exhausted...With a Smile!

What a weekend...and this old grammy is EXHAUSTED! We crammed LOTS of celebrating into a short weekend. Friday night hubby and I went to an area park for music and fireworks...we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Saturday a.m. we drove a couple of hours to a family reunion with my sweet hubby's family. This side of the family rarely has the opportunity to spend any time together. The last reunion was 8 years ago. Both our kids and their spouses and of course sweet little Olivia were able to attend with us which made it ever better :o) Unfortunately, I spent so much time enjoying conversation that I failed to get even one good picture :o(

We rushed home trying to decide whether or not to attend Red, White and Boom in Peoria as it had been raining steadily ALL DAY! The rain finally stopped and we enjoyed an awesome display of 4,800 pounds of fireworks.

After church this morning and a quick cookout for lunch we hurried off to Peoria for the Chiefs game. Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson were doing some rehab this weekend before returning to the Cubs tomorrow. It was a great game day...hot but not miserable and a great way to end the holiday weekend with lots of smiles for the whole family.





Now--this old grammy could use a nice looooooong nap :o)