Christmas Blessings

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

This year for Christmas we did a little traveling to Grand Forks to spend Christmas Eve at mom and dad's house.  We were surprised to have a visit from Mike and Kaye before they continued on to spend their weekend with Mike and Sue, it had been years since we were able to see them for Christmas


Before getting settled for the night we made a quick trip over to see Grandma, her doctor had decided that due to some health issues it was best that she remain at home and not travel out.  Once we arrived we found her in a deep sleep and very hard to wake and when we would see her eyes open it was for only moments before they would close again with little or no response.  My best Christmas present this year was when I was telling her it was me and then gently kissing her cheek good-bye her eyes opened again and she smiled, I did my best not to let the tears roll in front of her but there was no stopping them as this was my moment with her. 

Back at mom and dad's everyone tried to get back into the Christmas spirit but yet it seemed everyone had grandma in their thoughts.


It wasn't long before the presents were being exchanged.  I was excited to get a picture of my brother with a poem he had written, it's absolutely beautiful!

I was blessed to also have been showered with other gifts from my family, they all are so kind and generous to me.
Blaine did some research and talked to Rick about a good choice of an external flash for my camera, I can't wait to learn how to use it!

Justin got me a new camera strap (pink of course) and a lens filter.

Kayla got me the picture frame that I had been admiring.

Mom and dad gave me a gift card to help out purchasing new flooring, I can't wait to use it!


DeDe and Troy found a little gadget that is right up my alley, a microwave popcorn popper that you use regular popcorn kernels and no oil is needed.    

The kids were surprised with iPod Touches, they were certain that this was the one item on their lists that would not be fulfilled.  It makes me so happy that we were able to give them these and see the excitement on their faces.

For Blaine, the kids and I got him a Kindle Fire; this has been pretty fun for him so far.  He has not had a lot of gadgets in the past years so learning all the new stuff he can do has been keeping him pretty busy.


Now...for my boys.  They all sat so eagerly for their Christmas stockings...looks like the knew there was something yummy in store for them.

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Brody

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Rookie

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Gizmo

I also received a gift from Marylou, an ornament for our tree, it was just the personal touch it needed.  I also want to make note of all the Christmas cards and photo cards that we received this year from family and friends, I believe this year topped the record for the number we have received, unfortunately this year also tops the number of cards I still have to hand out that I was unable to deliver before Christmas.

Christmas day was spent at our house and my immediate family traveled our way to have Christmas dinner with us, it was another wonderful holiday spent with them.  It gives me great pleasure to sit at my table knowing that I am surrounded by those that mean everything to me, make a meal to share with them, be able to say a prayer of thanks together and enjoy the gifts that we received through out the year.


My love is also sent to those that were unable to be with us this year but are spending their holiday with Jesus; love to you all.


May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

Peewee Black Tournament

This past weekend Moorhead Youth Hockey hosted their first tournament of the year, it also happened to be Justin's team's tournament.  After many months of planning along with the tournament committee it was time to see if the changes that we came up with would be a success...fortunately they were and the tournament went off without a hitch; we even had lots of volunteer workers this year to help keep things going.

This is also the first year that Justin has been on a team that made it to championship, they won all of the games leading up to championship which lead to many smiles through out the weekend.  I was also able to see Justin's first goal of the year; you see the team was down 2 players due to penalties...it was 5 on 3 and Justin grabbed the puck, got past the opponents defense...took it on a break away - deaked the goalie and SCORED!  The crowed went wild and I was choked up that he was finally able to sink one this year and witnessed the whole thing.  This was a great game for me!

The Championship game approached and we found they were playing Winnepeg East, this team had also won all the games they played in this tournament so far...only they were winning their games by many, many, did I say many, more goals than the other teams.  The boys went on the ice with confidence and made their first goal within the first few minute, it also turned out to be their only goal of the game; Winnepeg reciprocated by scoring 4 more than us in that first period.

In the end, as was anticipated, the boys took second place but held their plaque and medals with pride; us parents, held the cameras and took those proud pictures and patted each one on the back for a job well done and an amazing weekend.

Congratulations Peewee Black!

Something about Mary

Out for the evening last night at a Cookie Exchange a dear friend of mine mentioned that she follows my blog and has found that it hasn't been updated in quite sometime.  So as promised...I titled this one 'Something about Mary' in her honor.

We have gotten the pleasure of seeing both the kids perform in school functions all within one week.
Makayla was a reporter in the the 5th grade play called "Lewis and Clark" last Friday; each 5th grade class put on their own performance. We saw Justin play Charbonneau last year and couldn't wait to see the play again this year...we were again pleasantly entertained.

Last night we were invited to watch the 6th grade Christmas Choir concert.  It was the first time that we were invited by the schools to watch either of our kids sing...what a treat this was!  The smile on the kids faces told us they were having a great time too.

Tonight...more cookies are being made.  I made several different kinds on Monday night but with all the hockey practice going on I was alone in this effort; as promised, the kids are making their own cookies tonight.

As for me, I have been busy playing with my new camera and snapping as many pictures as I can trying to learn as much as I can without annoying anyone too much.  I had the pleasure of taking my sisters family pictures this year.  It was a lot of fun and I think she found a few she liked.

I would love for anyone to look at my pictures and give me their input...if your interested in seeing more of what I have done please go to showerofmemories.blogspot.com and give me your thoughts.

And to Mary...thanks for following and being such a sweet friend!

I'm not 40, I'm eighteen with 22 years experience

Well, it finally came

really

me

FORTY!!!

~Sigh~

I have always enjoyed birthdays, whether my own or someone else's.  I look at it as a day that is only for you, a day that you can choose what ever you want.  If your lucky enough to get to go out for dinner you get to pick the restaurant, its the day that you get to eat cake and/or ice cream that hopefully someone else made for you, it's the day that you get a gift that was specially picked out just for you.  What other day are you seeked out to be wished a happy day, your email box fills up with well wishes, your phone rings early in the morning and late into the evening, you get text messages and Facebook posts; how can you not be happy.

I've decided to tell myself that I will wear each wrinkle with pride, it shows where I have been; and that turning 40 doesn't bother me.....that much; but not being able to be called young anymore, that bothers me, no it ticks me off!  I am still young at heart, it's not my fault that the mirror, muscles, brain, eyes..skin....hair OK what ever so they just don't agree with me!  I'll get over it.

I have compiled my list of 10 ways I know I'm turning 40:

1.  My memory takes long walks to somewhere I am not privy to or just can't remember how to unlock the door.  I find myself blaming others for putting my stuff somewhere other than where it should be or telling a friend I will be right back and then remembering 2 hours later that I didn't go back.

2.  Telling stories to the kids and using the phrases "way back when" or "when I was a kid".  I haven't physically seen it yet but I imagine they are rolling there eyes every time I start a sentence this way.

3.  My choice in music is still back in the 80's and 90's, I hear the kids talking about different bands and I have no idea who they are talking about or can't understand why radio stations play certain songs and think wow this is just bad music. (then weeks later find myself singing along)

4.  I have a person", which means the same thing as a BFF but much more sophisticated, OK not really but I can pretend.  She is an amazing person; she's a wife, a mom, a professional, a student and a runner.  She is the person that I look to when I need a laugh and when I need to vent, or when I just want to chat. 

5.  I don't care if I go to the store in my sweats, I figure those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter.

6.  Things are starting to hurt, I hear creaking and snapping when getting up from chairs and I groan when getting out of be. I find myself making choices to not do things that could possibly "hurt" later and then times when I think I am still 25 and do something my body finds offensive, that it takes much longer to recover.

7.  My morning face is now my all day face, enough said.

8.   I love pink, any thing pink and I don't care what anyone else thinks about it anymore.

9.  Partying, no longer are the days of bar hopping, staying up all night and getting up early for work.  Now a party is a night out at a friends house for dinner, a drink or maybe even two and home by 11...12 if I'm feeling adventurous.

10. I learned how to truly love, I have kids and a husband that I would die for; above all concerns, worries, needs and desires they will always come first.

So there it is, my thoughts on this years birthday and a quick glimpse of my past 40 years.

Here it is, my first baby picture straight out of the baby book.  

Yes Missy....I was a cry baby back then too!

 Oh, the days of big hair!

Mine and Blaine's High School Home Coming

Blaine home on leave from the Marine Corp.

Wedding Bells! 

Exhaustion!

My amazing parents

Me and my sister

(we have matching tattoo's on our backs that I wanted to post but I can't seem to find the flash drive that the picture is one, figures...there's my memory shining again!)

My 'lil' (big) Brother "Pre Sheriff" days

My wonderful family, you can't see grandpa but he was there.

This was his homecoming day.

The kids and I last year at the MN State zoo

My nieces and nephews along with my kids out at Blaine's farm.

(This was such a fun day, they actually posed themselves for me!)

And here we are in our most recent family photo.

Thanks everyone for making my first 40 a memorable one....now on to the next!

  I can't wait to see what is in store for me!

Love you all!

Happy 40th Birthday Blaine

Happy Birthday to the greatest love of my life, it has been so much fun growing up and older together! Looking back through the years of photos I have of him tells a story of the kind of man he is.  My only wish is that I would have his baby photos, his baby book, his school year history or something to look at and share, unfortunately due to some unfortunate circumstances these items are lost and never to be found.

I however can go back many years.  Some great memories for Blaine would be his time in the service.  He joined the Marine Corp while we were in our senior year of high school and was deployed shortly after graduation to California for boot camp.

After boot camp he came home for a short visit and was then deployed to Camp Pendelton, North Carolina where he prepared to battle in Desert Storm.

During his time in desert storm we were only able to talk one time over the phone, this was probably the scariest time of my life and the most exciting for him.  Once he returned back to North Carolina we were again able to talk once a week on Sundays but were only able to see each other 4 times during his years away. 

Upon his return, I was privileged to receive a marriage proposal, without hesitation...well you can guess my answer.

Blaine's best friend Dan, who also joined the Marine Corp with him, was able to be home in time for our wedding.  Funny story here, I knew Dan before I knew Blaine...Blaine knew Dan before he knew me...yet we didn't meet for 2 more years.

Together we have 2 great kids, Blaine has been an awesome dad to both of them, he has been a cuddler, a mentor, and a friend to both of them.

He has hobbies like hunting, fishing, running as well as coaching hockey and soccer.  His newest hobby will now be riding motorcycle.  He bought himself a Harley last week, when we were first married he had a bike as well but had to give it up before we moved to Fargo/Moorhead.

But for me, I not only celebrate his 40th birthday with him; I celebrate getting to wake each day next to him, go through life with him and end each night with him. 

Happy 40th Birthday Blaine!

I love you to the moon and back!