Out with the old...in with the new!

It is the last day of 2011.... do I want to reflect on it? Not really.  But I will reflect on things I didn't expect:

1. I got a job I didn't expect to get and like so much!  Me with 15 kids and loving them tons?
2. I didn't expect to lose my mom the way we did, or at all in 2011 for that matter.
3. I never expected to have the peace and confidence again that I needed to be happy.
4. I didn't expect to spend this Christmas without Punkin driving me crazy as I decorated.
5. I didn't expect Papa to be fully retired and bringing in enough money to live on!
6. I didn't expect Meghan and Kevon would divorce. That is sad.
7. I NEVER expected Joel and Karla would let an animal live with them...and today Gracie the cat is coming to live with them!!!!!
8. I never expected Joel and Amanda would leave their jobs to be working with Kevon!
9. I never expected to find such a sweet friend in Veronica....who is Ms. Liberal while I am Ms. Conservative....and we love each other and bonded. She is like a daughter to me too!

10. I never expected to be the Grandma of a Permit Driver at age 56! Or is it 55? Andrew got his permit yesterday.  Whatever it is I am old....and so proud of him getting 100%!
11. I didn't think our family would get so attached to Makoa...nor that we would not be watching him.
12. I didn't expect my son, Ryan, to be in one of the biggest earthquakes to hit Japan!
13. I didn't expect to get the 3 tickets and be in a fender bender during 2011!
14. Who would have thought I would be a great-great Auntie to one of the most perfect baby boys ever!!!!
15. I didn't ever expect Maddie would be in a pageant and speak in front of hundreds of people!
16. I didn't expect Riley to sing a solo in front of hundreds of people at her school!
17. I didn't expect Jordy to get a boyfriend already!!!!
18. I never expected Heather to become a hemodialysis technician!!! So proud of her!
19. I never expected my house to be messy constantly since mom died.
20. I never expected to love my husband more and more every year!!!!

The blessings so outweighed the hard times this family saw this past year!

Last New Year's Eve Jordy, Riley, Andrew and Lauren spent the night!  It was fun!
We also came up with resolutions. Lauren's is no more pouting. Riley's is no more whining. Jordy's is to be nicer and more respectful to her mom, me and papa want to get healthier!!!!  Well, papa and I failed.  We will do it this year!  We did become debt free, happier, and more at peace and in love. So that is good! What are your goals next year?

I believe this!

So Papa and I are going to get healthier and enjoy life more!!!! We haven't used our camp trailer since 2007 when Papa had his heart attack.  This year we have 4 camping trips planned already! One in May, June, July, and September!  I am excited!  This will be a fun year for us.... 2012!

Ah...it is Thursday!  It is sweet that the week is going slow. I love it! I also got things done on my list:
1. Hair colored and cut!
2. Papa hair cut
3. To Sonic with grandkids
4. Some house work done

I still have to:
1. Finish my lesson plans for January
2. Get my bedroom closet cleaned out!
3. Get Lanny in to order glasses for himself
4. Go to doc...tum, ta, tum tum
5. Take down decorations
3. slow down.... relax!

Yesterday was a great day despite the rain and wind!!!! We picked up Andrew & Lauren and then Dylan & Maddie and first dropped off Andrew's application for Winter retreat with church. Then we went to the reservation and filled up the tank! Then we drove down to Tacoma (about 50 miles)! It was a fun drive! The girls in the very back playing some game with their gameboys....and other games together. Andrew and I were in the middle seats while he studied for his Driving permit. Dylan got to sit up front with papa. He is not a nervous rider so it worked out well.... Andrew sat behind him so they could still talk and I could still talk and it was a great ride to and from. And our first stop was Sonic!  Sonic was one of Papa's favorite stops when he would go to Oklahoma to see his mom!!! So he really wanted to go. Great memory for him!  We ordered alot of food!!! lol! She brought it all to us... 6 drinks and a water with roller skates on!  Loved it! Then we stopped at Tacoma Boys! It is the most awesome store.

They had some big juicy Rib Eyes on sale...our favorite so we bought some.

Andrew left with a giant Jaw breaker? Is that what it is?

Maddie posed at the candy counter!

Lauren sampled a strawberry!

Andrew texting...Dylan trying to stay out of the pictures!

This was just different hot sauces!!!!

Papa showing me his Idaho Spud!

Whoops.  There it is! He loves these and they were his mama's favorite. He would take some down to her when he visited. He has looked everywhere in North Kitsap and cannot find them! He was a happy boy!  Lots of good memories for him today!

Just struck me as funny. Nog. Not eggnog. Just nog. lol. I still think it looks weird.

 The kids got a candy and a honey stick. And a pomegranate! The fruit and vegies were amazing! They have amazing seafood, gourmet cheeses, imported specialty foods, olive bar, imported Italian pastas and sauces, over 4,000 varieties of wine, beers from around the world and gourmet chocolate bars and other decadent desserts.

"We specialize in featuring items made and grown locally, such as our Tacoma Boys chips and handmade salsas, our handmade fudge, Tacoma Boys handmade jams and jellies, dried fruits and nuts, local eggs, local fresh produce and locally grown frozen fruits and vegetables."

Best thing is....it is just up the street from Sonic. We will be back!!!!

Next we went to Krispy Kreme Donuts!  Sweet donuts!

The girls were hoping to see some donuts being made but we missed it.

Maddie and Dylan picked out a dozen for their family.... Andrew and Lauren picked out a dozen for their family... and papa got 2 dozen of the plain. The kids ate out of that and I don't know what he is going to do with the rest? Surely not eat them!
Next stop was over at ToysRus.... just to look around. We didn't buy anything. After that we ran over to PetCo.... no cats or dogs.  We did see a tarantula and snakes. Yuk! And two ferrets playing...that was fun!
Drove home and watched Lion King on the ride....singing while Andrew was studying.... and singing. It was fun!
Lauren spent the night. Uncle Kevon had dinner at Karla's so she couldn't come. Plus they were waiting to hear about Gracie.... a cat Maddie REALLY WANTS!!! Well, the lady called and Maddie picks her up on Saturday!!!! She is beyond excited.  I am not sure who is more excited... Karla (believe it or not), Dylan (LOVES cats), Joel, or Maddie?  Happy, happy family! Now lets hope the love fest continues forever!!!

Gracie

Isn't this the coolest looking cat? No..we are not getting it. lol!

We are thinking about a cat again. I don't think Punkin is coming home to us. :(  Lauren wants to pick out our cat....she won't be getting one....not with Mac Attack (their little dog!) lol!

Papa is making breakfast, Maddie arrived, and I need to get moving!!! Have a great day! Pray for my Aunt Lorraine and cousins. My cousin June called last night and we talked quite awhile. They are going through a tough time with Lorraine's' health and all. God bless!

after Christmas....

Everyone had a great Christmas!  Especially Maddie....she gets to get a cat!  They are hunting for the right one and letting her pick it out. ;D  She is beyond happy!  All the kids pretty much got what they wanted I think.   And I got these wonderful pictures!

We did nothing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It kind of stinks having Christmas a whole week early. Next year will be the 22nd.  Still stinks because we have nothing to do on Christmas. Just once I would like to have it on Christmas day. But the kids are busy with other families.  We gave up Christmas day a long time ago so they weren't torn on where to go and now it has come to bite us in the butt.  Karla, Joel and kids came over with a $100 gift card for Whiskey Creek Steakhouse. It was so sweet of them!!!! But after they left I was so lonely the rest of Christmas morning....by afternoon I pretended it wasn't Christmas. It felt like any other Sunday.  We didn't do any church service which was bad of us. I did make a turkey on Christmas Eve. Papa made steaks on Christmas day. I tried not to be down for his sake. But he knew. I am grateful for what I have.

I stole a lot of Christmas pictures off facebook.... here are some of my favorites:

Niece Brittni and her husband

my friend veronica

It is my vacation.... and I am loving it.  I did get my sheets changed and livingroom rearranged. Not ready to take my tree down. I think I will slowly take things down....so it's not a shock. I hate clearing things out so that everything is empty all at once. It takes me a few days to put it up....and I can take a few to get it down. lol!
Went for a walk with Papa and Toby today.  Brisk out....but feels good once you do it.
Papa is out back trimming our tree. I worry because he goes crazy on it. Remember the front trees? Well....my beautiful tree where we feed the birds and the kids climb is getting "trimmed". Not happy.

Taking the week slow. Getting things done that need to be done. Which is always a good thing. With working I don't seem to have much time to do anything! I am in awe of those moms who work full time. How do they do it?
Tomorrow we are taking Andrew, Lauren, Maddie, and Dylan to Sonic for lunch and to Krispy Kreme donuts. That should be a nice drive. Papa has wanted to go to Sonic for a while.....closest one is Tacoma. So we are driving.
Papa needs to order new glasses tomorrow.
I have a doctor appointment on Friday....plus have to pay my ticket on that day!
I also need to set up my class room agendas for next month. 
Lots of stuff happening.I hope you all have a great week!  Glad it is only Tuesday!

oh my gosh.... I was taking a picture and papa started falling!!!!!!

 he's ok