Adrian Mother-Daughter Banqet

The Adrian Chapter of Women of Worth gathered together on Monday, May 4, for their annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. The evening was filled with a lot of activities. It was a time of reflecting back on the activities of past 9 months. We have been studying from the Emily C Barnes book, "Timeless Treasures" and have enjoyed sharing our 'treasures' with our sisters in Christ. During some of the meetings we have had times of sharing some of the momentous items that we treasure, such as a wedding Bible, a quilt, a hope-chest, family photos and many more items of interest. For the mother-daughter banquet, we had 60+ in attendance and the ladies outdid themselves. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, a delicious chicken dinner, lots of desserts and salads and everyone semed to have a lovely evening. The devotional was on the seasons of life and how each season is a treasure from God. It is always so refreshing to be reminded of the fact that God has a plan for each of our lives and it is God's plan that is the most important plan to follow. We learned that in the 'spring' of life, you don't possess many earthly treasures outside of your family. In the 'summer' of life, you are busy with college, new relationships, marriage, children, busy schedules but the God of the universe cares about every detail of your life and He will be there to help strengthen you. In the 'autumn' of life, you find yourself slowing down a bit, taking on the role of grandmother, mother-in-law, teacher, Sunday School teacher, church leader and role model. Don't let the busyness of life squeeze the joy right out of you and cause you to be bitter in your spirit but model your life after Christ. Let the sweetness of Jesus flow through you. In the 'winter' of life, we find that we are too weak to run marathons, We need for the younger ladies to come along side of us and be our 'light' in the lonely times of life. We can still have the light of Jesus reflecting from our lives. It is so important to be in the right relationship with Jesus Christ so we are not grumpy and cross with our caregivers and those who love us and come into contact with us.

We honored two special ladies during this special evening. One was the Mother of the Year and that special lady was Esther Wentworth Hilling. What a treasure she is to our group of ladies! She is such an inspiration and is a beautiful example for us to follow. She is very busy as a mother of three beautiful children, wife to Chris Hilling, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, pastor's wife and friend! In anticipation of this special award, her mother, Sue Wentworth Webb, was asked to write Esther a letter, which would be read at the banquet. A few days before the banquet, Sue had a heart attack and was air-lifted to a hospital in Fort Wayne. This was a traumatic time for the family and we were wishing we had the 'letter'. A day or two before we would need the letter, Esther's step-dad, Dave Webb, found the letter that Sue had written, typed it out and sent it to us for our use. What a special letter that was! God was faithful in allowing Sue to recover from this experience and she is improving. The letter was so special to all in attendance and especially to Esther.

Another lady in our group has shown such a gracious spirit during the time of Secret Sister exchanges. Jean Green Miller was honored with a beautiful basket of treasures for showing the love of Christ through some unfortunate circumstances in her life and we are very proud of her. She was well-deserving of this special honor.

A photo area was established and the ladies enjoyed gathering for their pictures. It was fun to see the ladies taking pictures of each other and laughing together.

We had a wonderful time of fellowship and look forward to the next season which will begin in September. Pictures will be posted here soon.

Vacation Pictures

I know I posted a blog a couple of weeks ago about my vacation and thought perhaps it may be a good idea to post some pictures. Here they are...

This is a picture of the front of our cabin.

This is what it looked like when we decided to go somewhere. People, people, people. We loved it! This cabin was absolutely huge and when we had everyone over there were 12 of us in the cabin and we didn't get in each other's way at all.

The cabin literally was built over the side of the mountain. This is a side view.

Dad loved to sit in the living room and read his Bible. He would get up early and read because that was when it was QUIET.

This is the view from the back of the cabin. See? It is literally built on the side of a mountain. The spot closest to the front of the picture is the fire pit, which you will see later in the blog.

The beautiful snow-capped mountains in the background. You are viewing Cove Mountain, which is a part of the Smokey Mountains. It was beautiful!

There were two hot tubs on the porch but it was TOO COLD to get in them.

The steps leading down to the fire pit. When it got a little warmer, we went out and built a fire and sang around the campfire as we made smores. We experimented with our voices and would hollar 'HELLO', listen for our echo, then laugh when another group a long way from ours would hollar back to us, then shoot off their firecrackers. We enjoyed that.

Just another picture of the snow capped mountains. Looks like a postcard.

Mom and Travis walking into the cabin. Since it was so slippery, we had to be careful that we did not fall.
Looking down into the living room from the upstairs bedroom. This ceiling light was so unique.

This is my bedroom. Sleeping in a KING size bed was nice. There were FOUR King sized beds in the cabin.

Looking at the dining room, from the living room.
I got creative and made a snowman.

A view of the snow from the porch.
Another view of the mountains (and my snowman - of course).

A view of the kitchen, from the livingroom.

The appliances were AWESOME. Stainless steel silver throughout the kitchen.

A drop-in stove. The kitchen was BEAUTIFUL!

More pictures of the kitchen.
Sitting around the campfire.

I loved the skylift in Gatlinburg!!!!!!!!!!

We all enjoyed the Ripley's Aquarium.

Travis turned 17 on March 1, the day after we arrived at the cabin. We were snowed in and couldn't go anywhere. What a memorable birthday celebration.

Heidi taking pictures at the aquarium. (Maybe Ryan is rubbing off on her)
Picture from the skylift.

On our way up the mountain. It was about right here that I told Ryan, "I am about to lose my shoes!" So, he very carefully reached over and took off my shoes. That would have been bad to lose those.

We had our own personal tour guide in Aunt Pat and Uncle Al (My mom's brother and sister-in-law). We had so much fun with them. Uncle Al and Heidi have a special story to tell from the Haunted House and Heidi's hysterical moments. "Go Al GO!!!!" She was screaming. I think he was probably scaring her as they went through but I don't know how she could of been aware of what was going on because she kept her eyes closed the whole time and held hands with people (and cried). I would have cried too. That's why I didn't go in there! No WAY!!!

This is my mom's oldest sister, Dalis. I think they look so much alike. It was so fun to get to know her.
My mom and dad at the top of the mountain. We rode the Ski Lift up to the top, got off and took pictures and rode back down.
The guys who rode the lift. Al, Dad, Travis and Ryan
Ryan and me posing at the top.

This was a normal scene with Ryan on Saturday. We set aside the whole day to STUDY! With his college classes being so intent he needed time to devote to Greek and other subjects. We were all glad he could be there with us too. With the mountains, it was disheartening because his transmission went out on his car while there. He pampered it till he got back to Cincinnati and had to have the transmission replaced. $1700 later... YIKES!!!!

Spring already?!

It is that time of year when we we transition from the cold, dark, dreary days of winter to the warm, bright, sunshiny days of spring. It has been a very uncomfortable winter with lots of heavy snow and ice, which brings with it high heating and elctricity bills. I have been working my second job but even those hours were reduced because people can not afford to have their income taxes professionally done and are having them done through free online services or seeking free help at local government agencies. So, my hours there have been limited. I have also taken on another job in the evenings with Jason and Kara and that is cleaning a local pediatricians office. This helps to supplement our income but does require commitment on our part in being available every evening. As the old saying goes, 'Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!' I am so thankful for the extra work the Lord has provided.


At the end of February I went on vacation with my sister, her four children, my parents and my son, Ryan to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We had a lot of fun and made lots of memories. Especially since we stayed in a cabin on top of a mountain that was very frightening to me (us). There are no guardrails, the dropoff is straight down and the roads are barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass one. When you went around a curve, you had to have a passenger looking to see if someone was coming in the opposite direction so you could make sure you were not over their line. That is not my idea of a fun trip and toward the end I kept everyone informed as to how many more trips up and down the mountain we still had to go. "We have to go up this mountain three more times." The brakes were smoking, the transmissions were slipping and there was a lot of praying going on during this time. The day before we were to come home, Ryan's transmission decided to start acting up and Kathie's brakes went out coming down the mountain. The brakes broke apart and ground down into the rotors but we were safe and thanking the Lord for His protection. I am not very fond of heights in the first place and when we got up to our cabin (actually, it was more like a mansion to us), my legs would not support me they were shaking so bad. I had to sit back down and get my composure before I proceeded into the cabin.


The cabin was beautiful. Four KING size beds, games, lots of table space for everyone to enjoy dinner together, a beautiful kitchen with state of the art appliances, washer and dryer, two hot tubs (outside), porch swing, fire pit, two beautiful fireplaces with gas logs that provided plenty of heat. Yes, we did need heat. Before we headed up to the cabin, the office personnel told us, 'Take what you need with you because if we get the snow that is predicted tonight, you will not be coming down off the mountain for awhile. And...you guessed it, we ended up spending Saturday night, Sunday and most of Monday snowed in at the cabin. It was SOOOOOOOOO beautiful and relaxing though. We loved it. I think my dad felt like he was totally lost since we couldn't go to church at all that weekend but we told him that he was close to the Lord on this mountain and to just enjoy it. He did. We all did. It was an enjoyable time for all of us. We took lots of Collingsworth and Gaither videos and they music ministered to us in a special way.


Travis turned 17 on Sunday, March 1, and since we 'stuck' on the mountain we celebrated the next day when my Uncle Al and Aunt Pat, along with my Aunt Dalis came up and brought ice cream. Olivia had made him a beautiful (if you can call an Ohio State designed cake beautiful), cake and it was a real hit along with the ice cream. We went to so many areas of attractions and made some special memories. Especially the Sky Life and the Tram. For one who hates heights, it seems strange but I love ferris wheels, sky lifts, trams... We all loved the Aquarium. They fed the sharks while we were there. I marvel at the way God designed all of the special fish of the sea and know that he cares about them and yet He cares of me! It reminds me of the song, "I'm something special, I'm the only one of my kind."


Ryan is home for the weekend but it was a harrowing experience in getting here. Read about it on his blog at: ryanwatters.com. God protected him.


I am so excited about going to IHC. Two weeks from today is the first day. WooHoo! I love meeting with family and friends and just basking in the services. It is a busy time for me with Women of Worth and helping Ryan with taking pictures but I thoroughly enjoy it, that is for sure.


I am hoping to get into some services this week at my church as we start revival tonight with Rev. B. J. Walker and Andrew and Sherilynn Stroud. I am looking forward to their ministry and trust that God will give us all a spiritual boost and draw us all closer to Him. That is my goal.

Watters Family News

I know several of you have asked about the happenings of the Watters family recently, so I will give you a rundown of what has been happening. My mother-in-law, Bonnie Watters, was hospitalized on January 5th with Pancreatitus, Enlarged Liver and Elevated Enzymes. She will be undergoing Gallbladder Removal Surgery on Friday, February 6. My father-in-law, George Watters, fell on the ice on January 12th and was found unconscious at the car dearlership, where he had gone to have repair work done on his truck. After several staples in his head and a couple of weeks of Tylenol, he is doing much better.

My granddaughter, JaLayna, daughter of Andrew & Jennifer Watters, has been having problems with extremely high fevers. After several tests and doctor visits, it was determined that she was born with deformities to her kidneys and that one of the kidneys was dumping the waste into her body. These toxins have caused her body to be FULL of infection. She was very swollen and a very sick little girl. On Wednesday, January 28, she was admitted to Children's Hospital in Columbus and had surgery on Friday, January 30th. They performed an Ureterostomy, which is the construction of an artificial opening from the ureter through the abdominal wall, permitting the passage of urine. She came through the surgery and anesthetics very well. We were very worried about her since she was so full of infection, but God protected and brought her through the surgery without incident. There were prayers going up for this little one all over the country and we are so thankful for the support. In 6 - 12 months, we will have to go back and have this Ureterostomy reversed and do some reconstructive surgery on little JaLayna, but the physcians feel that she needs time to recuperate, rid her body of infection and be a little older before they operate again. We are trusting God for a full recovery so she will be free of kidney problems as an adult.

On the BRIGHT SIDE...Jason and Kara have announced that they will be having an addition to their home in September. How exciting!! Miss Katie is going to be a 'big sister'. Does that ever sound funny to say! Katie has been talking so much lately. Complete sentences are a part of her normal vocabulary now and that is so fun. Jason has worked diligently to replace the floor in my basement. It looks so nice. Kara has been faithful to help me with Women of Worth every month. I just hope she starts feeling better soon and that the morning sickness is soon just a memory.

Ryan is doing great! He was the statue/narrator in the GBS Christmas Play this year. He's extremely busy these days with his position as President of the Ministerial Students, which involves a lot of organization on his part, taking Greek II, and some other difficult classes, as well as preparing for the College Choir Tour through the southern states from February 18-March 1. The highlight of his year is going to be the Choir Trip to Ireland in May. This should be a memorable time for him.

I have been working full-time at Lenawee Christian School, actually celebrating 17 years as the high school secretary this week. Whew! Where has the time gone? From January through April, I also work at Tax Pro Filers in the Mall as a receptionist. I have worked 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. SEVERAL nights and I am tired, but it helps me financially with tuition and high heating bills. I am grateful for the strength the Lord gives me in that I am able to do these long hours.

I have been asked to go on vacation with some of my family next month and I am very excited about that. I have never went on vacation during the school year but this is the time when it would work out best for everyone else, so my schedule will just flex with theirs. I am excited about getting away and just resting.

For those who have been inquiring about my family, here ya go...I'll try to update sooner next time so it isn't like a BOOK.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is the birthday of my dear mother, Evelyn Plemmons. I know it is hard to believe that she turns (clearing of the throat) today. Oops - almost slipped there, mom:-) I know you have been a trouper to have raised five rambunctious kids and now the grandkids have taken our place in keeping you young.

Having you for a mom has been the best thing that could have ever happened in my life. I know I have lived away from you for 30+ years now, but we are still close in heart. You have been a great example to me and I love you very much. I hope your birthday is extra special.

January already?

Our Family Picture - Taken December 26, 2008

JeNessa Steffan Rea Watters posing for the camera

Jaxon telling Uncle Ryan something very important...

Uncle Ryan is a favorite among the nieces and nephew

Something different - black and white photo of Ryan and the kids

The THREE STOOGES - Jason, Andrew & Ryan - Brothers for life...

Cheryl with daughters-in-law, Karlynne Shiery Watters and Jennifer Craker Watters

Sweet little JaLayna Mea Riann Watters - born September 19, 2008

Jaxon Andre' Paul Watters looking mischevious

Karalynne and Kaitlynne Watters posing for the photographer

Jason, Karalynne & Kaitlynne

Jason and Kara

Jason and Kara

JeNa and Katie were coloring so nicely together - cousins having fun together

Mom and her sons

Reading Curious George Book to 'the boys' - See the excitement in their faces?

Andy's really into the story, isn't he?

A proud mom and her three boys

They love their mom

Mom and Dad Watters (Bonnie & George) joined us for the pictures

Mamaw and Miss Katie

Mamaw with all of her grandchildren

Mamaw with Jax, JaLa and JeNa

Andrew & Jennifer

Andrew & Jennifer

Andrew, Jennifer, Jaxon, JaLayna and JeNessa

Piling on top of daddy, Andrew

'Odd man out' Where were we gonna put Ryan????

Everyone posing with Grandmy & Grandpy Watters

Whew! Where did 2008 go? I can hardly believe it is January of 2009!

A lot happened in December and I thought it would be nice to blog a little about it since I am snowed in and it is quiet here. It has not been very quiet during December, as I have been a very busy lady. With school parties and activities, church events, family in for Christmas and two boys with birthdays..I have not been bored.

With my new job responsibilities, I am responsible for the staff Christmas party, which was very successful and everyone seemed to have a nice time. Then we had church functions which were very nice. Andrew & Jennifer came home for Christmas evening, so all of my kids were home on Christmas Day for the first time in several years. It was nice to all be together on Christmas Day. Then the next morning we had an appointment to get our family pictures taken. We had planned this for several weeks, trying to coordinate our colors and make sure our clothes matched. Trying to match that many outfits and having us live so far apart, was a challenge but we did it and I think we were pretty successful in having things nice. We had a student from Lenawee Christian School, Jonathan Durling, take the photos. He did a great job and the family was so cooperative. I was very happy with the outcome. If you would like to see all of them, go to http://www.jonathandurling.com/ and click on client proofs and the password is watters.

Having Ryan home for Christmas break was nice and we were all so glad to just have some down time together. Ryan had a couple of preaching engagements, although one was cancelled due to a power outage (storm). He preached at my parent's church on January 4 and did a fantastic job. I was so proud of him. God is using him for His glory and that is what life is all about.

JeNa, Jax and JaLa were all so happy to be at Mamaw's house during the break. They loved playing with the toys and just being a mamaws. I loved it! JaLayna is having some physical problems and it was discovered that both of her kidneys have issued that will require surgery in the next couple of months. This precious baby has been so pleasant but has had some pretty severe infections, resulting from her kidney abnormalities.

My mother-in-law, Bonnie Watters, was released from the hospital on January 9, after being diagnosed with Pancreatitus, enlarged liver and elevated enzymes. She is doing better but will have gallbladder removal surgery in about a month. This was a frightening diagnosis, especially after Steve dying with cancer of the pancreas and liver. God was faithful to be with us this week as we worked through her illness and all of the memories associated with this type of illness.

I will start my second job (Tax Office Receptionist) on Saturday, January 17. I'll be putting in up to 70 hours a week during tax season, but the is the way in which God supplies my needs and I am grateful for the job. I love doing this, so that helps to make it so it is not a drugery. I also love th people I work with. I am a people person and this office is in the mall, so I am able to see lots of people, which makes my day complete.

Enjoy the pictures. I have tried to label them for you. Have a blessed day. Please leave a comment if you enjoyed the blog. I am trying to see if anyone reads blogs anymore...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON - December 30

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, JASON - December 30

Jason at 3 months old.

Jason at 3 months.

Jason at 13 days old.

Jason at 8 months old - His hair was so blonde that it was hard to see that he had hair.

Jason and cousin, Shannon, were in a wedding together. Don't they both look so excited? NOT!

Jason, the big brother, was kneeling beside his dad, who was holding Ryan. Debbie was helping cousin, Bradley walk.

Jason in 1st grade.

Jason in 2nd grade.

Jason and Andrew were in a wedding, so we had their picture taken in their suits.

Family photo

Family on vacation

Jason is taking cousin, Amber Plemmons, for a spin on his new motorcycle. Uncle Dan was a nervous wreck to have his little girl on a motorcycle. Cute!

Jason in his dating years.

Jason is taking brother, Andrew for a ride across the Mackinac Bridge. They sure look happy!

Jason and Steve (dad) the day of Jason's first solo flight.

Jason's graduation from ComAir - before becoming a flight instuctor

Jason as a flight instructor for Delta ComAir Airlines.

Jason and Karalynne (wife) at their home in Sanford, Florida.

Check out that hair and the big glasses. Talk about a 'dennis the menace' hairdo, he's got one here.

Jason is so excited to be helping dad take his new motorcycle off the trailer (January 2000).

After Steve died, Jason took Steve's motorcycle down to Grandmy & Grandpy Plemmons house for one last ride before selling it and took Grandpy Plemmons for a spin. Grandpy was in his glory. (July 2001)

Jason holding his daughter, Katie.

Jason and Karalynne's wedding picture. They were married on April 11, 2003.

Jason, Karalynne and Kaitlynne at the GBS play in December 2008.

Jason and Karalynne

Here it is, December 30, 2008 and my mind reflects back to December 30, 1978, the day of the birth of my first child. Boy, it seems a bit impossible that Jason is 30 years old already. My heart was bursting with pride to have the first grandchild on both sides of the family. He weighed in a 8 lb. 13 1/2 oz. and was so healthy. We were so blessed to have a son and to think that he made it in time for a tax deduction. he he

Jason taught Steve and I patience, as he was extremely stubborn as a baby. He knew what he wanted and he didn't care what it took to get it, he was going to do whatever it took to get his way, whether it was holding his breath until he passed out or screaming uncontrollably. It took a few years to conquer this but with the help of the Lord, we were able to break this cycle of life.

Throughout the years, Jason was the one who was always an early-riser and was not afraid to pursue his goals. He looked more like Steve (dad) than his siblings and had a lot of the same traits. His mannerisms and the way he walked were so similar and he loved motorcycles like his dad. Steve and Jason used to take motorcycle trips together on their new Honda Goldwings and one time they left the house, telling me their were just going to go down and take a spin on the turnpike. They liked to go east or west an exit, get off the turnpike and come back home. A favorite past-time of theirs. On this particular day, they were gone a long time. When they called me they said, "You will never guess where we are at." I said, "OK, where are you?" They replied, "In the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago." That was Jason and Steve... Always trying something together.

Speaking of being adventurous, Jason decided that he was tired of landscaping and wanted to go into flying commercially, so he moved to Sanford, Florida in December of 2000 and enrolled at Delta ComAir Academy to start the process of getting his license. This was a big change for him, living with another student and having to cook his own meals and live so far away from home, but he was successful and now can fly commercially.

In April of 2003, Jason married Karalynne Shiery. Kara has been very good to / for Jason and is such a blessing to our family. To their union was born Katie in February of 2005. She is a beautiful little girl. She loves to come to mamaw's house and 'play toys'.

Jason, I hope you have a wonderful birthday today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN - December 29

Ryan was born December 29, 1986, weighing in at 9 lb. 4 oz. He was born with pneumonia in both lungs so was in the hospital for 10 days. He seemed so big in the incubators next to 2 pound babies.

Going home day!

Grandpy Plemmons was so excited to see Ryan and hold him.

Isn't he cute? Even with the bowtie...
Ryan is a white tuxedo.

Ryan is in his dad's suit. Notice the pants are hanging way off the feet. He is either singing or preaching. Memories...

Our family photo in 1988

Ryan's kindergarten picture

Ryan posing with teacher, Michael Arnold, during his junior year.

Ryan and his uncle, Dan Plemmons. They sure do resemble one another.
Ryan as valedictorian of his class - posing with cousin, Travis Manns and brother, Jason.

Ryan posing at grauation with Uncle Dan.

Preaching in the chapel at God's Bible School.

Family photo...

Ryan posing with Jason, Kara and Katie at Rock Lake Bible Methodist Camp

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

It's hard to believe you are turning 22 today, Monday, December 29. You have been a real inspiration to me. There were a few years when I would have thought you would never recover from your grief and bitterness. After your dad died, it seemed that you crawled up into your shell and we were strangers - living in the same house. What a change has taken place in your life after you became a Christian. There is no greater joy for a mother than that her children are walking with the Lord. I am so proud of you. I decided to post a 'few' pictures. Usually, you are on the other side of the camera and we do not get many pictures of you personally. Here are a few that I thought the readers may find interesting. Enjoy. I'd love to hear comments from you. I love you!

It's CHRISTMAS TIME

Ryan and I after he finished preaching at the annual Christmas Sunday service at GBS.

Katie posing for the camera, which is certainly not her favorite thing to do. She dislikes cameras!

Jason and Kara

Jason, Kara and Katie

Ryan posing for a picture - he doesn't care to have his picture taken either. Just a little get-even for all of the pictures he takes of us...

Ryan was the statue in the Christmas program for God's Bible School and posed for a photo. It was very interesting because several people thought he was a real statue until he moved.

He was scary looking up close~!

JaLayna in her great-grandma Watters dress.

Close up of JaLayna

Jaxon, JeNessa and Mamaw having a few bonding moments.

I rearranged my living room and decided to put pictures on here for my family.

More living room pictures ~ The grandfather clock fits so perfectly in this corner.

Moved my piano into the corner, creating a lot more room in the living room. Notice the snowmen under the piano.

If you know me, you know that I love Christmas. It does not matter to me if I get gifts or not, I just love Christmas. I collect snowmen...lots and lots of snowmen...in my office, in my sun room, in my living room, I just love snowmen. I have spent so much time decorating and redecorating this year. Moving things around in my new office, trying to figure out where things look the best and now, here it is, three days past Christmas and I am still on an adrenaline high. I never look forward to taking all of my decorations down. I love it when the children are all together and having a good time. There is nothing that makes me happier than to see that my family is together. I never want to get to the point though that I overlook the real meaning of Christmas and need to constantly remind myself to not get carried away in the hustle and bustle of the busy crowds in the mall. You may think I am crazy but that is one of the highlights of my year when I go to the mall the day before Christmas and just walk around and watch the frantic people. Actually, I went to the mall twice on the 24th and just loved watching the people scurrying here and there. Steve and I always used to do this. Rarely did I buy anything of significance a day or two before Christmas but that is generally when Steve started his shopping. He loved the thrill of trying to find just the right gift at the last minute. I could go to the mall and just sit for a long time and be totally entertained by just watching the weary shoppers.

Christmas time also brings families together and allows them to reflect on the past year. I love to hear the kids laughing and telling stories of things that happened in their past. Like, "Remember when we used to come down here in the basement and light the fireplace and lay down here and roast and Princess (beagle) would pant like crazy but was too dumb to move away from the fire?" Those memories are priceless. Last year was the first time we were able to sit down and watch some of our old home videos, from when the kids were all small. It was hard to hear Steve's voice and reflect on the happiness of the days gone by, but in a strange sort of way, it brought healing. This year, with Ryan's help, I have been getting these old VHS's transferred to DVD, so we can preserve them without losing the tape or the means to play them, since DVD's are 'the in thing' right now. These are priceless to the boys (and to me). Precious memories.

I know it has been awhile since I have posted so I decided to send out some pictures. I am not professional in my photography skills, like Ryan is, but at least you can see some of the pictures of the past few weeks.

On the way home from Thanksgiving at my parents, we stopped in Findlay, Ohio and met Andrew and Jennifer and the kids. We had my mother-in-laws baby dress that was over 80 years old (It was used for Bonnie's older sister). We met in Wendy's and put the dress on her there and took LOTS of pictures. They turned out so cute. Jaxon and JeNa loved meeting Uncle Ryan and Mamaw in Wendy's. We had a blast. Then on Christmas, Andy & Jenn came to Michigan so we were able to get the picture of JaLayna and her great-grandma Watters together. This was a special picture and one to be treasured.

This weekend has been momentous for us as we have really enjoyed being together and having our family photos taken professionally. The photographer met us at a designated location and spent 1 1/2 hours with us. He was great and we had a very fun time having the pictures taken. I will give you the link when the pictures are up on his site for us to view.

Watch for a post on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Ryan's birthday is Monday and Jason's birthday is Tuesday. I will post pictures of the boys on these days.

Leaves, Leaves and NO LEAVES

Bus unloading 55 students and staff - preparing to rake my yard.

Looking at my house before they started raking.

I have a very large yard to rake and when you get old like me, you can't rake without pulling your back out of place, so the Lord has helped me since Steve passed away to get my leaves up by using the services of the Junior High students from where I work at Lenawee Christian School. This is a servanthood project for them and teaches them the blessing of helping a couple of widows in our school family. There are several younger widows in the school and the junior highers rake leaves in the fall and do yard cleanup in the spring for four of us. It is such a blessing to me. Due to the recent snowfall, the leaves were heavier this year and the students were delayed in getting to my house because the previous yard took a long time. There were left-over piles EVERYWHERE in my yard and I did not know how I would manage to get them picked up, but God sent an angel along on Saturday morning, who came in and picked up all of the left-over leaves and got rid of them. I do not know who did it, although a neighbor told me it was a green truck that was in my yard Saturday morning, so I have an idea. It was such a blessing to me. I will post some pictures of before and after. There were 55 students and 6 adults from LCS helping me. My father-in-law and a friend also came over and spent time of Saturday doing yard work, for which I am very grateful.