It's About Time

Okay, I get ragged on for not posting to my blog. Even though I'm often tempted to write, there are never any pictures to post and the pictures are the best part. Today I'm writing this to let anyone who actually attempts to read my blog know that I'm still around and able to write. Maybe after Easter I'll have some pictures and more to say. For now, just read old posts.

You have to agree, they are cute!!! -- Part Two

Christmas morning starts with a BIG breakfast. We had eggs, ebelskivers, sausages, fruit, sticky rolls and plenty of coffee, tea and juice. Once we finished filling up, it was time to open presents. There is no rush on Christmas morning so we thoroughly enjoy the process of sharing our gifts with each other. Since we didn't even start breakfast until around 9:30 a.m., then gifts beginning around 10:30, the morning was over before we finished. Then, it's a quite afternoon of playing with the gifts, taking naps, watching the game or whatever we choose before heading out to the Lindley family gathering. Here are some pictures from Christmas day.

The sign says "This is NOT a gift." Doug wrapped this gift, wrote the tag and can give you the whole story. It turned out that is actually was a gift and Jon loved it.

Presents are fun no matter if you really understand the whole concept or not.

Maddie was happy to share the doggy with Jo.

After gifts, Julie, Rachel and Amy talked Heidi into teaching them to knit. Heidi proved to be a good teacher and they all managed to knit the beginnings of a very short scarf. Rachel was getting the hang of it with just a little encouragement from Heidi. Hans had gone for a run and was now watching the game while Amy continued to practice knitting. A lull in the Christmas activites is the perfect opportunity for a nap and we now have the perfect couches for the above mentioned nap. Really, they are so CUTE!! Grandpa and Maddie Jo. I love the girls pigtails and applaud their mothers for getting those teeny tiny rubber bands into their hair. Second cousins Maddie and Sophie enjoying their gifts.

Christmas was SO fun!

You have to agree, they are cute!!!

Uncle David and Aunt Rachel finally get to meet Josephine. She is very happy to have more people to love her and think she is one of the cutest kids anywhere.

When we went to the park one day and tried to get some pictures of Jo and Maddie together. Josie has quite the lower lip pout which comes in very handy to express her displeasure at life. Maddie is definitely not responsible for the pout and disclaiming all knowledge of whatever it is that made Jo unhappy. Three of my girls with their babies at the park and looking so cute. First, here is Heidi and Josephine, and then Julie and Madeleine, and finally, Rachel and Timber.

2010 - A New Year, A New Decade

I love new beginnings. That means that I love mornings and Mondays and the first of the month and the first of the year. Each of these moments means that I can do better what I didn't do well yesterday or last week or last year. This is also the opportunity to continue and grow in those areas that are going well. This is the time for renewal.

One of my goals (I don't make New Year's resolutions because they just don't work) is to make this a year of renewal. The last couple of years have been filled with so much that my mind and emotions have been on overload. That has resulted in a dullness of spirit. I feel like there has been little that I have done to my best in the past couple of years. Mostly I've just been hanging on for the ride and dealing with what I could handle and letting everything else just percolate in the back of my mind. This year I want to move ahead with intention. I do have some plans such as reading through the Bible using my mom's favorite Bible filled with her notes and comments. I want to continue on my quest for better health and a lower weight. Family, church commitments and friends all are part of my intentionality. However, my goal is to keep a balance in my outside commitments. Enough to be involved and ministering but not so many that nothing is being done well. God has created me to be a creative person and I have learned that I need to be creating. This feeds my soul in a unique way so I plan to schedule time into my week to pursue my creative self.

When this year comes to a close and I look back I want to see renewal of spirit, soul, body, and mind. Although this is not a New Year's resolution, it is an intention that I plan to keep.

Family & Friends

Do you remember the song from Sound of Music about favorite things? Well, two of my absolute favorite things are family and friends. Right now, at this very moment, my life is full of both. David and Rachel arrived from Washington last Friday and are staying with us and dividing their time between her family and ours. It is WONDERFUL to have them here. Jon, Julie and Maddie arrive this afternoon and will be staying through Monday. Heidi, Caleb, Josesphine, Amy and Hans are also coming as often as possible to be with us and their siblings. Last Sunday we were with some of Doug's family and we will be with the most of my extended family on Christmas night. My life is truly blessed with such an amazing family.

Next comes friends: Although I would say I am also blessed with many friends there are few dearer to me than those in my book club. The Traveling Book Club has become a secure harbor and a place of fun, friendship and belonging. We do read books, normally one a month. We do discuss those books and enjoy the process. But, we have morphed into much more than a book club, we have become true friends. Last Monday night was our annual Christmas dinner and ornament exchange. It was my privilege to host this event. Bev entertained us with a story about her Aunt Mary and the New Year's Day bra sale that had us in stitches. Best of all, it was a true story. She really needs to write a book about her Mennonite upbringing. We enjoyed a fabulous pot-luck dinner and then retired to the family room to exchange ornaments and discuss our December book. A great time was had by all.
The Traveling Book Club -- Back row: Vivian, Pat, Lesa, Beverlee. Front Row: Nancy, Judi, Sharon, Nancee, Dolores.

Duck, North Carolina

Monday morning after the wedding, we all met at Jack and Joan's for breakfast and goodbyes to Amber, Dad and Marilyn. By late morning, we sisters were off for our journey to Duck, North Carolina. After some wrong turns and funny moments of getting headed in the right direction, we were off for a wonderful five days at the beach. Ginny's beach cottage is pictured below. Really, that is the right place. Three floors, 8 bedrooms with private baths, complete with a pool room, study, laundry, downstairs tiny kitchen, living room, dining room and huge kitchen. The main living space was on the third floor so we got our exercise just climbing stairs and wandering around the over 6,000 square feet of house. Even though the place is BIG, it has a very comfortable and cozy feel. Tuesday dawned cloudy and cold. The day was spent mostly in our pj's enjoying each other, lots of conversation, some naps, a walk around the neighborhood and to the beach, good food and more conversation. The perfect beginning to a great vacation. The view of the back of the beach house, with the pool and spa as well as views to the ocean from the upper deck. Joyce and I had the middle level to ourselves. She at one end and me at the other end in the princess room. Really, we each had our own suite complete with sitting area, bath and flat screen TV. It was rough but we managed. Wednesday was spent exploring Duck and some of the surrounding area. Of course, the day began with a leisurely breakfast, sitting around in pj's and talking and then finally getting dressed and heading for Duck, about 15 minutes from the house. The need to do some shopping was met first, then a really great lunch at The Point (pictured below), followed by driving south to Kitty Hawk and finally on to Roanoke Island. By the time we got to Manteo on Roanoake Island it was closing time for the shops and actually for the whole island it appeared. We did a little sightseeing and walked along the harbor. Back to the house, for dinner and talking and a movie.

Thursday was set aside to celebrate Jean's 50th birthday. The day began with bringing her coffee in bed and then breakfast was enjoyed on the top deck. After a leisurely breakfast we adjourned to the living room for more talking and relaxing before preparing for a day out. Turning 50 is nothing to take lightly so we wanted to be sure there was plenty of celebrating and enjoying this momentous occasion.

At the north end of the island in Corolla near the light house is a beautiful park. We took a gourmet lunch of turkey sandwiches, chips, hummus, grapes, and chocolate cake and toasted Jean with sparkling juice. The setting was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was perfect. After lunch we drove to the light house and wandered among the old houses and shops. One of the shop keepers instructed us in the proper way to pronounce Corolla and it's not the same as the car but rather with a southern twang...Coraaaalla.

Turning fifty really should be celebrated doing something reminiscent of childhood. How about a game of miniature golf including a train ride to the first hole? We had a blast. And the winner is ME!!! In case you're wondering if there is a future in this for me, the course was a par 42 and I won with an amazing score of 60! The four of us in front of the fireplace just before having to leave. Although we are all smiling, none of us were really ready to head home. Not being in a hurry for the trip to end, we stopped in Williamsburg, VA for a little shopping and dinner at Chownings Tavern. Dinner was great followed by amazing desserts, especially the peanut-butter chocolate pie. There was even a magic show that commenced not three feet from our table and we really could not tell how he managed to get the oranges under the cups. The night was spent at Joan's house. It was raining when we left for the airport on Saturday morning, an appropriate response from nature for the end of a wonderful sister's time away.

Jason & Jacky Get Married

Family weddings are absolutely the best. I love every minute of the event. Below are some pictures which should give you an idea of the wedding. It was a wonderful event and I feel blessed that I was able to be there to celebrate with Jason and Jacky. Jason getting ready and looking good.
Jason and Jacky were married at the Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington Virginia. It was a beautiful setting.

The Bride and Groom on the lawn following the ceremony.

Jessie was a bridesmaid. I'm not sure exactly what Kelly and Amber and talking about but it does look interesting.

Dad and his girls looking fine.

Dad and Marilyn meeting Edyn Jean Elwood, the 11th Lindley great-grandchild.

Kayla had a secret to tell grandma.

Amber and Kayla blowing bubbles for the departing couple.

Jason and Jackie as they head off for the honeymoon.