Spring flowers

Yesterday, my sweet friend, Connie, brought me a bouquet of tulips! She wanted to brighten my world and encourage me. The tulips remind me Spring is 'just around the corner'! I'm grateful for her kind heart, her kind thoughts, her kind words, and her kind deeds. Thanks for making me smile and brightening my day! Love you! :)

Lost

I've been thinking of the word LOST !!
Isn't it an interesting word?
Think about it . . . LOST. . .lost. . .l-o-s-t!
In the past few weeks, I've observed the word 'lost' more frequently!

Sometimes when you lose something, it can be a good thing.
Often times, when you lose something, you grieve.
It hurts. You have pain.
You decide!

She lost her Grandma Dear
He lost the ability to hear
She lost her precious Godly mother
He lost his job
She lost her sweet puppy, Hailey
They lost the football game
She lost 6 pounds
He lost his self-worth and self-esteem
I got lost in my book
He was a lost soul
We lost a student from our class
A bill got lost in the mail
They lost their championship game
I lost my mom 4 years ago
She lost her dignity
They are lost on I-75
I sometimes feel I lost my mind

Pain

Pain
Do you ever wonder why we experience pain?
Not the kind of pain that bleeds
or hurts on the outside. . . the inside kind of pain
that hurts your heart - real pain.

How do you comfort a friend in pain-
a friend who has just lost her mother.
or a friend who buried her Grandma Dear?
How do you comfort a brilliant man
who's lost his hearing
and can no longer teach?
How do you help a son who has
has no job because the company has
mismanaged their funds?
Pain
inside pain
Sadness

When times are tough and feelings are strong
I need to be reminded that
God is still in control!
Jesus is the Father of Compassion
and the God of all comfort.

Mr. Christmas

I was reminiscing through our Christmas photos and came across this picture of Craig. Doesn't he look like 'Mr. Christmas'?! Christmas is NOT Craig's favorite time of year, but you'd never know it by looking at him here! Too funny! (We're so glad he brings out the red plaid shirt every year for the holidays!)

OK, it is pretty!

Enough is ENOUGH already!!

Winter has arrived and the snow just keeps on a'coming! It IS pretty (from the inside), but that's the only positive thing I can think of about A-L-L the snow we've gotten! We're predicted to have an 'arctic freeze' this week. Hmmm...what else is new! My nose hairs freeze when I go outside already ~ can't hardly wait for it to be colder!! Let's see...only three more months of winter and then SPRING!! :)

Our beautiful back yard
Craig, the snow monger!

Family Christmas 2008

Christmas - memories with family!

Julia and Adam

Jonathan and Sarah

Both of our kids came home with their 'significant' others to celebrate Christmas on Monday, December 22. It was a joy and blessing to be together to open presents and enjoy a big dinner together. We had a great time together, laughing, reminiscing, and eating! It felt so good to have everyone together in our home!!

On Christmas, Craig and I drove to Kansas City to celebrate the Holidays with our family. Julia and Adam drove together on Friday. We had a big time together - - it was great being with my sisters and Daddy-O!

"Sister-time"

More "Sister-time"
Even more "Sister-time"! Aren't we lovely!!
Dean-O made us delicious 'hunky' breakfasts
And delicious dinners!! We NEVER went hungry!
We EVEN made malts very late into the night!
(thanks, Adam & Julia for making the ice cream run
to the grocery store!)
These have to be 3 of my most favorite people in the entire world!

I'm so glad the Holy Star shines bright for us ~
we can find the love of Christmas throughout the entire year!
I hope you had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and
A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Miss Vargo

Today is Julia's first day of student teaching in Lenexa, Kansas! In just a few minutes, she will walk through the doors of Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. How is this possible? It seems like only yesterday she was donned in her blue plaid jumper~off to Kindergarten at St. Pius X! I can clearly remember the day she walked across the stage to accept her diploma from C/A High School! I thought I'd never live through the day we drove her to O.N.U. just 2 1/2 years ago to begin her university studies! Geeze...time flies when you're having fun! :) I know she will be an excellent teacher, as she loves and nurtures children. Her gentle spirit has so much to offer them! Julia will invest her life into their lives and encourage them to grow and develop, just as she has through the past 20 years!

We're so proud of her and all she's accomplished! She has, and will, make a difference!

See Julia run. See Julia read. She Julia teach.
You go, girl! We're so proud of you!!!