Epiphany

Today is special - it's Epiphany. I remember my Grandma today...just as I do everyday, several times a day. This is the anniversary of her death. She was such an inspiration to me and especially so in her final days when she showed no fear of death and shed no tears. She made it clear she would miss us and this made her sad, but she looked forward to joining my Grandpa and other family members who had gone before and to meet her Savior face-to-face. She loved her Lord and I remember how she gave an offering on Christmas (in addition to her regular giving)to Jesus in the same amount she spent on each of her children. She felt he deserved no less as it was his birthday. Of course, it shames me because I have not done the same, but inspires me to start. Nate has been asking about my Grandparents a lot lately. He never met them, but knows them from pictures and from our reminiscing. They were dearly loved and greatly missed. But, they left such a legacy. Everytime we go by a cemetery he asks if this is where Grandma TuTu and Grandpa Charlie are. This happened again the other day as we passed a cemetery near our house. I said no, they weren't at this one, but his comment suddenly inspired a thought, which had never occured to me before...and I shared it with him immediately. I told him that Grandma was very special and she passed away on a very special day - Ephiphany. Ephiphany was when the wisemen followed the star to Jesus. She too followed the star to Jesus on the same day. Which, made her a wisewoman.
I frequently wish she could have lived to see my children, and it makes me sad, but then I tell my heart that I really feel she was given the grace to see them or the knowledge of them before or at her passing. I wouldn't be surprised if Grandpa & Grandma played with them in Heaven before they came to me. Lucky kids!

Grrrrrrr Face

Daddy suggested N8 show his grrrrrrrrr face for his hockey pictures so he looks like a tough hockey player. I bet you'd be scared to face off against him too!

Here Comes Santa Claus

I finally got this picture scanned so I could add it to the blog. We went to see the Jolly Holiday Lights shortly after Thanksgiving and the kids had their picture taken with Santa in his Workshop.

St. Nick Night

St. Nick night was 12/6 and Santa visited us in the evening. He rang the doorbell and left 2 buckets of candy on the deck. Tradition has it that if you've been good Santa leaves you candy and you'll be getting a present from him on Christmas Eve. If he leaves you rocks or coal, then you've been naughty and won't be getting anything from him on Christmas Eve. Nate was very excited when he opened the door and saw the candy. Earlier he had been a little naughty and I had warned him that Santa might see him and I didn't want him to get rocks. When he saw the candy he squeeled and put his hands on his cheeks and said, "Thank God, Santa didn't hear me!" How funny!

Daycare Christmas Program

The daycare Christmas Program was last Thursday. It was really cute! Schmoo was the most awesome cow and Boo the prettiest angel!

Youth Hockey Player of the Week

Nate was chosen as the Youth Hockey Player of the Week the week before last and got to skate with the Bucs (USHL Team) Saturday 12/13. He got to stand by the door as the lights went out and the smoke screen started and the players ran past and onto the ice. Several patted him on the head or commented as they went by him. Then they announced the starting line-up and then announced Nate as the youth hockey player of the week in that "get-ready-to-rumble" voice and he skated out in the dark & smoke and spotlights to the blue line between two of the players. He stayed out there with the starting line-up through the national anthem and then skated off. He did so well. I was afraid he might be scared at the last moment because of the dark, smoke & roar of the crowd, but he wasn't. He wanted to stay out there and play. He did so awesome and we were so proud.

Individual Poses

Here are the individual poses. They were all so good we had trouble choosing.