Scenes of Christmas 2010

WINTER 2010

(MORE PHOTOS BELOW)

I wish that I could wrap up all the love and Holiday cheer that comes along with Christmas and with New Year's every year, pack it in a pretty box and put it on my shelf and pull it down again each year and give it to myself.

I wish that I could tie up all my favorite carols with twine, wind around some ribbon, too, and for twelve months call them mine until the next Yuletide came when the sounds again could be unfurled and untie every single one then give them to the world.

Each year though wiser and older am I, still thoughts of Santa cause such excitement... and a simple reading of the Christmas Story brings such tears of joy to my eyes. So, like many Christmas's before, you see there really is no difference, it's just "your height in the door" and in the innocence of a child, I take this moment, to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! {Adapted}

Christmas at Our Home

Revival Blessings and More

WOW! Where has the month of April gone??? We have had a wonderful month, that's for sure! The weekend following our last post, we drove out to be with Greg's family for a couple of days and had a blast! His Mom and I spent the majority of the weekend 're-doing' much of their first floor... and hoping to complete both floors by either the Holidays or late Winter ('11)! Decorating is very comforting to me and so much fun!
Upon our return home, we had few battles to fight for a few days, but God really helped us to rise above the circumstances! We made a decision that "in the happy moments, we would praise God; during difficult moments, we would seek God; in the quiet moments, we would praise God; even in the painful moments, we would trust God; and in EVERY moment, we would THANK God!" If you think about a hot, fresh, glazed donut... your mouth is sure to begin to 'water'! Now, think about the ingredients that go into that donut, to make it so yummy. While some of them may be appealing in their own right (sugar), others are not so tantalizing (lard), yet without the lard, the donut wouldn't work! But, we'd still rather not think about it being in there, right? Life is kinda like a donut, sometimes! [Romans 8:28]
Greg drove a group of young men down to Kentucky for the following weekend, where they attended KMBC's "iLIVE 2010". An enjoyable and spiritual time was had by all! Aly and I were able to enjoy a couple of days together here at home and a VERY fun "play-date" with our friends, Carley, Claire and their mommy, Becky! A true 'girls evening out' and Aly thought she had the world by the tail, for sure!!!
Mother and I attended the "Ladies Spring Fling"... Mother/Daughter Luncheon... hosted by the ladies of our church, on the 17th, which was really nice for us! For Aly too, because she was able to have a "date" with her Papaw, at the same time!
Our church Spring Revival,was held on April 18 - 21, with Rev. Jim Mellish and Mark and Janene Dubbeld. This was without a doubt, the best Revival our church has had, atleast in the last five years!!! Not ONLY because of what our own family received from it, but because the Holy Spirit came in unbelievable ways! GOD IS SO GOOD... ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME... GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!! (If you care to hear the details of what happened in our own family, just let me know and I'll gladly 'fill you in'!) "Got any rivers YOU think are uncrossable? Got any mountains YOU can't tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible!"

Mrs. Esther 'caught' Aly, sitting up in the Pastor's chair yesterday, following the morning service and sent this photo of 'the moment' to us..... the 'up-do' is more of an 'do-down', at this point in the day, though! LOL
Remember, if you have time to worry about what is on your neighbors back porch, maybe you should worry about what is on your own back porch! Food for thought on a dreary Monday ~ and the same would go for what's on the front porch!!!

2009 Holiday Review

We were able to spend much of Christmas week in Missouri with Greg's family. Whitley joined us there, as well as Greg's brother, Chad and his wife, Sunny. We all missed Wesley, but are anxious to hear the details of his time at Boot Camp and are excited for his Graduation, from the USAF, at the end of this week! Thanks, Mom and Dad P. for the presents this year and for putting up with all of us... we certainly enjoyed our time with you, as usual! Aly loved being with “Mawmaw & Pawpaw” just as much as we did!
We were also able to spend a few hours with my "adopted" brother Densel, his wife Michele, Jacqueline and Ty. We hadn't seen them for a very long time and it was such fun to re-acquaint ourselves! Aly had a ball with Jacqueline and Ty, as well... no pun intended, Mr. Ball! LOL
We arrived back home, just in time (due to last second car troubles), for Christmas Eve night with my parents! We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to purchase a camera while on the trip, thus you will be able to view many of these activities, for yourself. Alyson was more than excited when she saw the Kitchen Set “Mimi & Papaw” bought for her. A skillet that 'sizzles' and boiler that 'gurggles'. A working microwave and phone. In Aly's own word, “WOW!” Thank you, Mama and Daddy, for the many gifts and love this year! Aly truly loved every aspect of Christmas this year... from seeing all the packages, to opening the gifts and playing with all the new things! How fun it was to watch her eyes light up at each one!

Christmas Morning, the three of us enjoyed being together and seeing what else “Santa” had in store! We relaxed and played together around the tree, before dressing for a fun evening with the Indy family. As is tradition, we celebrated at Mamaw S's home with a wonderful meal and even MORE gifts! Family and traditions truly are a blessing.
On Tuesday, following Christmas, the three of us joined Mimi and Papaw on a little road trip. As is tradition, we headed toward Dayton and my Dad's side of the family, for another Christmas celebration there! Again, it was a delight to partake in the blessings of God... we have been so blessed!
The time following all of this, was spent trying to get back into somewhat of a normal schedule... then again, what IS normal? Church, Kidz Konnect, Holiday Parties, Choir, etc. We also hosted a couple of Holiday Parties and truly enjoyed those special times with a few friends in our home.
New Year's Eve, found us again at Mamaw S's house, with the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Another fun filled and VERY LATE evening together (ending around 1AM to be exact)! On New Year's Day, we drove downtown, had brunch at the historic LS Ayres Tea Room & browsed a bit, before heading home for a LONG-MUCH-NEEDED nap!!! That about sums it up, as far as this 'chapter' goes, anyway! LOL
Please bear with me as I was unable to 'edit' any of the photos, much to my utter dismay, due to our computer-crash of last week!!! We are grateful for our new camera. Even if it takes us forever to 'learn the ropes' with it! *Drum roll, please... and here is much anticipated 2009 Holiday Review Penn Palz photo album!

Holiday Memories of 2009

Farewell and Homecoming All Rolled Into One Weekend

It seems fitting that I would find time today, Veteran’s Day, to Blog! God bless the men and women who give and have given their all, for the freedoms we all hold dear! Wesley is now among those heroes and we are ever grateful for his desire, to ‘stand in the gap’, for his Country!
Aly and I certainly have had an interesting week! This past Wednesday evening, following church activities, Greg and I put Aly down for the night and it was the last time she saw her Daddy, until Monday evening when she awoke from her afternoon nap! To keep her calm, we didn’t talk about what was happening, until bedtime on Sunday night, we felt she would understand a “one moon” a little better than “five moons”.
Greg slipped away at the end of his workday on Thursday and headed to Missouri, where he spent a final weekend with Wesley, who was to leave for USAF Boot Camp. The two of them were also able to enjoy a bit of ’manly’ time with Grandpa and Uncle Chad over the weekend, as well! Grandpa P., Grandma P., Uncle Chad and Greg drove Wes to Jeff City on Sunday morning, where he was shuttled to St. Louis, for an early morning flight to San Antonio on Monday. We already miss him, but know that God is there with him and has big plans for him and his future! We trust God to see Wes through and will continue to pray daily for his safety!
While all of this was happening to “Daddy”, Aly and I had quite a bit of excitement of our own… ’Uncle’ Scott and ’Aunt’ Suzanne (cousins) from beautiful Louisiana came to town for a visit! We all had a ball! Tons of laughter, entirely too much food, viewing family photos, etc.! We made marvelous, magnificent memories together! Nothing beats time with family, even if we were missing our “Daddy”, at the same time! One of the highlights of the weekend, would have to be when we went shopping at the Mall, (We found it hard to believe Santa was already there!) then lunch together at “Johnny Rockets”, was yet another grand and glorious memory made! Thanks, Scott and Suzanne for coming up to ’Yankee land’ for a few days and reminding us of just how much we miss YOU and the South!!! We love you both! “The love in our family flows strong and deep, leaving us memories to treasure and keep.” (unknown)



The ultimate ‘sad’ news of this post would be the fact, that we do not have ONE single photo of Greg’s trip to Mexico, nor ONE single photo of our weekend here in Indy! However, I have included three pictures for you, 1 of Scott and Suzanne (taken at Cousin Jordy and Jessika's wedding), 1 of Wesley’s Graduation Day portraits and 1 old favorite of Greg (and Aly) who was missed terribly while he was away. We WILL try to do better at posting pictures in the future!

Life Can Be Quite the Trip…

WOW! Our lives can certainly agree to this post title! After a hectic few days last week, we were finally packed, loaded and westward bound on Friday evening! Being as we were off to a very late start, we didn’t arrive much before 11PM, Missouri time (12AM in Indiana)! Of course, we stayed up entirely too late chatting with everyone! Needless to say, we were already exhausted beyond words, even before we ever left Indy. However, we were determined to make the best of the few hours we had to spend with the family, though! Wouldn’t you know, I woke up Saturday morning very ill!?!?! All signs of a massive sinus infection along with flu-like symptoms, to boot! Aches, pains, low-grade fever… YOU NAME IT! Well, it was severe enough to put me “down” for the rest of the weekend. It is now Tuesday night, we’ve been home since late Sunday night, but I am still ‘bed-ridden’, with this case of old fashioned, “Yankeefied Droops”! The only light I see at the end of this tunnel, would have to be the strong medicines my doctor prescribed for me, yesterday! They are working… just extremely slowly! On top of it all, I’ve actually had a few side effects from them! NOT good!!!
The really bad news of the week? The fact, we never took one single picture on our trip! I was entirely too ill to care and Greg was too busy having fun (as usual, when we’re out there), to pick up the camera and do anything about it! LOL We hope to retrieve a picture or two taken with Mom and Dad P.’s camera that day, though! The kids “tripple” party sounded as if they were having a ball at the time and I heard that Aly really showed herself… especially when it came time to blow out the candles! One thing is for certain, I am DONE with being sick!!! Picture-taking and party-going would’ve been much more ‘my speed‘! Here is a cute little poem I found a couple of days ago, online.
"I am sick, I'm about to snap. My nose is leaking, I just want to nap. Been drinking juices & blowing my nose. My body screams, aches from my head down 2 my toes. I hate being sick, my mind doesn't work. Wish I was healthy, back to my normal self!” (M. Messineo)

GREG AT A RECENT PHOTO SHOOT FOR WORK

I would like to post one new photo this week. One of my one and only, personal, private, ‘In-House Doctor’, but please note, he is NOT up for hire elsewhere! Thanks, Sweetheart! You’ve done everything in your power to make my world a whole lot easier over the past few days and I can never thank you enough! Please know that I have been praying, that these ’bugs’ will stay very far away from you! I seriously don’t know how Aly and I would function... not with you stuck in the bed like this, sick as a puppy! I’m also very thankful, that Aly still has a dose or two left of HER antibiotics, because I in no way want to see her have a relapse! Again Greg, thanks for being so wonderful… I LOVE YOU!!!

Breaking Records on The Scale of "Busy"

Aly with Sunflower the Clown
Things are not letting up around our house, on the “busy scale”, that’s for certain! Reunion Sunday at Southside was this past Sunday and we had a fantastic day! Incredible crowds, delicious meal, fun activities, etc. You’ll be able to see the details at http://www.sskidz.blogspot.com/ next week! A very special thank you to each and every person who helped! The kids are not likely to forget such a fun day!

Aly on a beautiful Fall day

“When bone tired & weary...we often underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring and all of these have the potential to turn a life around. SO! WAKE UP...if only long enough to help turn someone else's life around and see for yourself what it will do for you, in return!!!” (unknown)
We have seen many scary things in the news lately… this week, was possibly the most scary of all (IF true…)! Judge Andrew Napolitano comments on the completely unconstitutional bill in Massachusetts that will allow the governor to declare an emergency and "allow" police to force their way into your homes to vaccinate YOU and YOUR FAMILY. http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80761028/

Our "School Girl" 9/25/09

Tomorrow, will again be another busy day, in addition to school, paperwork, etc., there will be laundry and packing to do. Because Friday afternoon, is SUPPOSED to find us Highway-bound for Missouri, the good Lord willing. This will also be a busy time of reuniting with family, dual birthday celebrations for the kids while there, and so much more. In addition to everything else mentioned, Revival begins at our home church, on Sunday. What do you say……… Is it time to double up 'on the brew' or what? Do you take cream and sugar???

The First Week of 2009 Behind Us... Already!

FYI: NEXT WEEK WE WILL POST OUR CHRISTMAS ALBUM INTO OUR DECEMBER 31st POST BELOW...

(Click on the photos above to enlarge them. #1Aly in the bath Christmas week /#2Aly at Nate's BD Party /#3Aly sleeping Christmas week)
It's hard to believe that we're already into the SECOND week of 2009! How time truly flies! We've had an exceptionally great Holiday season, even though a bit stressful at times! LOL
In the middle of December, little Aly became very ill with an infection, which wound us all up in the hospital on Friday night the 20th. She had become so dehydrated that the Doctor wanted to put her on IV's overnight. However, due to her dehydration, they were unable to find her veins... BUT GOD UNDERTOOK and 'aided' her Memaw and Mommy (with the help of Papaw that night and her Daddy the next morning) in getting fluid back into her little body. Without God (and Memaw!), I'm not sure what would've happened!
We then rushed into Christmas time... On Christmas Eve, Mama and Daddy hosted a 'Cajun' meal of Shrimp Creole' with all the fixin's. It was so fun to be able to 'pretend' we were once again in the good ole' South! The food was incredible, too!!! Thanks, Mama and Daddy for a great time and delicious food! The house was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the trees were GORGEOUS, too!
Following that meal, we had everyone over to our home for a Dessert Bar. The menu included Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Tube Cake, Orange Slice Cookies, Party Mix, Nuts, Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Iced Vernors, Coffee with Peppermint Topping or a selection of Creamers and various Coke's. (Excuse me, for the non-southern readers, that would mean 'Pop'! LOL)
Christmas Day Morning, we had Gift time at our house with Aly, Memaw and Papaw. Aly LOVED opening her gifts, but as of now, she still prefers boxes, bags and paper! LOL Later that day, found everyone at Mamaw S's ("Who's") for a wonderful traditional Christmas meal and Gift opening. Another very meaningful day with those we love!
The day after Christmas, the Jewett side met together at Mamaw and Papaw's house in Dayton for Gifts and more food than the law should allow. We've been so very blessed on all sides of our family with a Godly heritage that we'll treasure always!
On Monday morning, the 29th, Greg went into work only to find out he was being laid off... indefinitely. Though this was and is not good news, we're believing God for a miracle and trusting Him to place Greg into the job He would have for him. These are very rough days and it would seem there are more ahead, but God is in control and knowing that, we are at peace!
The day after Greg lost his job, I was able to go to lunch with a dear friend and try to help her through a rough time and she in turn helped me! Later that evening, we were invited to our precious friends, "Uncle" Ray and "Aunt" Vickie's home for supper... it was not only very tasty, but Aly had her own nameplace and her own crystal goblet, too! She was a real Princess that night! Their home was also beautiful and very much in the Holiday 'spirit'! Friends are such a great thing to have, isn't God good to send us the 'gift' of family and friends? Where would we be without them???
New Year's Eve, Aunt Diane and Uncle Ron had everyone over to Celebrate the Old Year out and the New Year in... we were unable to stay through til midnight, but we enjoyed the time we spent there and were once again reminded what a 'gift' we have in our family! Their home was so pretty with more than 2 dozen trees to look at. Aly couldn't get enough and the fact all her cousins were there only made it better!
The next morning, we hit the road with Mama and Daddy to head toward Missouri and have a 'late' Christmas with Greg's side of the family. We had a great time there, relaxed as much as we could and TRIED to de-stress a little! (Don't think we accomplished that task, but we TRIED and that's the main thing! LOL) Mama and Daddy were able to go on into Kansas City and spend time with family and friends there and also had a very relaxing and fun time!
We are now home, mostly unpacked and trying to get back into our normal (if you want to call it that) routine! We wanted to update our BLOG before we had to write a BOOK to get it all in! OH WAIT! I think THIS is actually a book!!! LOL
Trust you've enjoyed the long read and we haven't bored you to tears, yet!
Have a great week and watch for our next weeks BLOG, plus the Holiday photos we will add to our Dec. 31st post...

The Final Week Has Begun...

To begin, I'd like to say we had an exceptionally nice Thanksgiving week with Greg's family in Missouri... Uncle Tom and Aunt Janie hosted a yummy Thanksgiving Dinner, which we all ate too much of and we were able to see many family members we hadn't seen in a very long time!
We arrived at Greg's parents on Tuesday in the late afternoon... We truly enjoyed our time together although, it flew by way too fast, as always!
'Mom P.' chose to babysit Aly, while we all hit the Mall on "Black Friday" afternoon, I believe they had a good time playing together and we certainly all had a grand time shopping! In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, with our Starbucks 'in-hand', no amount of traffic was going to stop us! LOL
Personally, I'll be glad when I get over my "new mommy-ness" and decide once and for all, not to stress out over large family get-together's, major events, etc. and learn to take things as they come... maybe if and when that takes place, I'll begin relaxing a bit more! LOL (On a side note, I did de-stress long enough to take 3 or 4 pictures during this trip and I'll share them with you at the bottom of this post!)
Well, I'm about 75% unpacked and hope to finish out tomorrow, BEFORE the Christmas decorating gets done, which is only about 50% complete at this moment!!! As busy as we are these days, it looks as if we'll have to keep our decorations up through the first or second week of January, otherwise we'll not have time to even enjoy them!
Aly is loving all the lights, trees, snowmen, stockings, reindeer, etc. She especially loves her OWN tree with all it's sparkles and she can't get over the freshly fallen snow outside!!!
THE FINAL WEEK HAS BEGUN... We have exactly TWO practices left before our Children's Program at Church! Only TWO? Where has the time gone? Heaven help us all! We certainly have MUCH to do between now and Sunday, that's for sure!

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/ThanksgivingInMissiouri2008#
~ Happy Holidays