The Road to Bethlehem

Isn't this the most beautiful picture of Mary and Joseph? I love the little Shepard keeping his eye on the two of them. It's titled The Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brinkley

In the beginning of the month I gave a Family Home Evening lesson on remembering to not become overextended during this season and being deliberate about focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. I'm glad I did it early on because I do think it has helped me to do just that. (One of the many reasons I haven't blogged this month)

I have found that in seeking opportunities to serve others during this month I was led to people who needed me the most and in addition to that the Lord has blessed me with the time and patience of my family to be away from them and serve as others have needed me to.

I am so very grateful for Jesus Christ and his birth, life and example for each and every one of us. What a great love our Heavenly Father had to send his only begotten son to save us. I like to think that Jesus birth and childhood were some of the few times he was blissfully unaware of the heavy burden that would later be upon his shoulders bringing an added measure of joy and sweetness at the thought of birth in Bethlehem. This is my Christmas message to you.

Christmas 2008

December always brings thoughts of Kai. His birthday was December 12th and the week before was a tough one for me. This year he would have been 8. Emil would have baptized him and we would have celebrated this important milestone in his life. I know that there will be many such times that significant birthdays will hit me hard but this one was the first and it was difficult.

Kai's 6th Birthday

We made it through though and I know that we had the thoughts and prayers of many of our friends and family that sustained us that week and especially on his birthday. Life's journeys are not easy but if we endure it well they will be worthwhile and hopefully shape us into the people the Lord would have us be.

In other news......

I have been busy with Christmas recitals, Band Concerts, Christmas Parties, baking and crafting. Here are some of the recipes I promised.

Sausage Cheese Balls

Really easy and the kids like to snack on them. They are great for a quick breakfast. Just warm them in the microwave for 20 seconds and you're good to go.

Makes about 4 dozen balls

3 c. all-purpose baking mix (bisquick)

4 c. extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

1/2 c. milk

1 (16 oz) pkg. sausage ( I like spicy)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Form mixture into 1 inch balls. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 23-25 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Serve warm for breakfast or as a snack.

Peppermint Bark

12 oz chocolate chips

1 lb. white chocolate chips

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2 c. peppermint candy crushed

Line 13 X 9 pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Melt milk chocolate in double boiler or in microwave in 30 second intervals. Stirring in between. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Pour melted chocolate into to pan. Place in fridge until cold and firm, about 20 minutes. Let warm to room temp for about 10 minutes after taking out of the fridge otherwise the white chocolate may not adhere.

Melt white chocolate chips in double boiler or in microwave in same manner as milk chocolate. Add extract after white is fully melted. Pour over top of the milk chocolate layer then sprinkle with crushed candy.

Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and cut into pieces.

Enjoy!

My crafts have varied from knitting the fingerless gloves to crafting the super cute Christmas ornaments I highlighted in my last blog. I decided to design my own Lighthouse Line which I was very please with. This has been fun and I've enjoyed stitching at night as we watch TV or others read.

Merry Christmas!

Back at Last

I know, it's been almost a month since my last post but I really have been busy and I have proof!

It's been 6 years since my sister, Sumi, painted Noah's room in a Dr. Seuss mural. What started out as 1 character grew to be a whole kingdom and though many wanted to keep it that way until Noah married, Noah himself was ready for a change. Sumi is an amazing artist! Here are some of the pictures I took before I started painting.

HOP ON POP!

And here are the after pictures. I know it seems boring beige (sorry Melissa! I won't make you sleep in his room if you come visit!) but it's really opened up his room and allows him to put pictures on his walls. That took about a week but it was well worth it.

BABY GIFT SPOILER - Don't read Theresa!

This past week I finished Theresa's Baby quilt, actually the baby quilt for Baby Cara. It's so sweet. I left it with the glider we are giving to Theresa and Chad for the baby at Emil's parents. Since I haven't heard from her I don't think she's picked it up yet. She doesn't know I was making one for Cara. I can't wait to hear what she thinks!

I hand quilted it. WHEW! That takes a long time as opposed to machine quilting. It is nice to be able to take it with you though.

PLATOON GIFT PACKAGE INFO- DON'T READ SGT ROB!

I wanted to do something special for our platoon so we got the names of all the service men and 1 woman and I made pillowcases for them. They are all different and I took this picture prior to getting them embroidered with their names but you get the idea.

We sent them off the week before Thanksgiving since they had to go early in order to get to the troops in time along with some Honey Mustard Pretzels and candy. I hope they like them!

This past week, before Thanksgiving, I got together with my friend Jovita and we had a crafting day. I had gotten a craft book on felted gifts and here are some of the ones we made. The two on the left aren't fully finished.

Isn't this little reindeer so cute!!!! There is a snowman I think will be killer cute too.

Jovita also had a pattern for fingerless gloves and since I was looking for a pattern,

I made one of them.

I have some varigated yarn that I'd like to try but one word of advice. Kids should have mittens! Working the fingers with 4 different knitting needles was very hard! Even on an adult glove.

I'll probably make a pair for me and one for Emil M.

There are few crafts that I have tried that I feel you should pay full price for but gloves and baskets are among the few! However there is something I love about making something uniquely mine.

Next Blog,

Holiday food creations..... ;)

Pumpkin Carving, Halloween, & Fall Soccer

Disclaimer:

The responsible party will not be obliged to blog when the past couple of weeks have been consumed with Soccer, College applications, essays and interviews.

Emil Michael sketched out our kitty profile.

Just how dedicated are you to cutting your pumpkin? Enough to stand on the table for it?

I'm sure you're not surprised to see Kirstin was up to the task.

Noah with the "yuck face" I get every year when they pull out the pumpkin seeds and guts. This one actually didn't have much by the way of that.

I'm smiling cause I got to sit back and watch while everyone else did the dirty work.

Ahhh, life is good.

Finished Product.

(My night time pictures stink. Anyone have hints on that?)

Here is Noah (3rd from the left or right just in case the makeup fooled you.)

with his friends from the neighborhood. They all decided to go as army guys, with the exception of Sponge Bob. Any guess why.....

This past weekend Kirstin played her tournament games for the Travel soccer team she was on. They tied the first game and won the second. They have 2 games today but we don't have the kids play any sports on the Sabbath so we'll have to find out how they did when she asks her teammates at school tomorrow. They are ranked 1st or 2nd depending on how the games go today.

She's really enjoyed the season and it's been to fun to watch. I have to admit. Sports are more enjoyable the older they get and the more competitive they are.

She plays midfield and is quite tough and aggressive. Lately she said her knee is hurting her. Hopefully she doesn't have her Mom's bad knees.

Hopefully this week will be a slow one but it doesn't look like it when I already know I have

School Board Meeting Monday where they recognize Emil M. for his writing award

Cooking Club and pick up new furniture Tuesday night

Only a 1/2 day of school on Wednesday, a teacher conference and Youth

Thursday kids off school for Veterans Day

Friday go grocery shopping.

Saturday Theresa's baby shower

Emil's also hiking from Tues to Saturday. UGH!

Playing for your lunch

Emil Michael and Valerie Persons

A couple of weeks ago I got a call from Emil Michael's Creative Writing teacher, Valerie Persons. I love Mrs. Persons. She is so encouraging and just an awesome teacher. She had called to tell me Emil Michael had won first place in the Watterson-Timberlake Non-fiction Writing competition for the State and a cash prize of $250. Yeah!!!!! Emil Michael had known for 4 days but hadn't told us. Finally Mrs. Persons told him if he didn't tell us she would- hence the call. Thank You Mrs. Persons!

Does he look a little testy? He was mad I made him dress nicely for the luncheon.

At least on the way home he apologized for being upset with us.

So this past Saturday Emil, Emil Michael and I were at Wake Forest University for the awards ceremony. We got there a little early so after we signed in Emil Michael found a baby grand piano and began to play. The woman that was doing the registration asked if he planned on playing until lunch and when we said yes she gave us back the $30 Emil and I had to pay for our lunch. I was pretty stoked!

He's finished the piano piece he composed. I love it but have yet to get a video of him playing it all. (He's a reluctant performer when it comes to cameras.) I have bits and pieces of it so hopefully I can get him to do a recording session with me soon.

Kathryn, Emil Michael, Emil

We are so proud of him! Would you like to read his winning piece? So would we. However he doesn't remember what he submitted and the person in charge of his award wasn't able to make it to the award program so we couldn't ask her what he had written. They are suppose to post all the winning pieces on the website but as of this post they hadn't updated it yet. I'll let you know if we ever find out what it was.

For now he is busy with college applications, other writing competitions and oh yeah-

writing up the summary for his Eagle Scout Project (will it never end????)

Happy Halloween

Touched

A little over a month ago Noah's school sent home a paper about how the kids were going to do a pen pal program with a group of soldiers overseas. I have to admit at the time I though "that's nice" but not much more than that. I had no idea how it would affect Noah personally or our family.

A couple of weeks ago I got a call from Noah's principal, Mrs. Belangia telling me that in Noah's letter to his soldier he had told him about what had happened to Kai and asking if he had ever had anything tragic happen to him. (Because they are at war and sensitive material can affect them more profoundly they had to approve all correspondence first through the SGT of the platoon. ) Mrs. Belangia had received an email back from the SGT and wanted to read it to me first before and make sure it would be OK to read it to Noah. Thus began our acquaintance with SGT. Rob and the Platoon. With his permission I've decided to share our emails. I think the story is best told through them.

Poor Noah! I know all the kids are ours now, but please pull him aside and tell him something for me, and us...... He's a good, strong little man, and he's here to make sure his mom and dad stay happy, and not sad. We have put his name on one of our helicopters, and he gets to fly high in the sky, REAL close to Kai in heaven........Noah's name is in the clouds EVERY day, and Kai sees it ......our Platoon has made sure .....nobody will forget, and God hugs our helicopter with Noah's name on it each time we fly......so Noah gets a hug from Kai every day!!!!! our Platoon loves him, and says a prayer for him, Kai hears it and we will pass it on each day. And tell Noah, he won't die ....not with a Platoon of soldiers, and medics on his side. Please tell him this, and make sure his family knows........ I'll send pictures of the bird bearing his name, and more as I can!

Hello, and greetings from ---------------. So, as promised, I attached pictures of the MEDEVAC bird bearing Noah's name, and a shot of his name soaring in the sky at 10,000 feet. Tell him, from SGT -------- and I.........."Noah, you were up soooo high, that Kai could see you, and hear you! Every time ------- and I fly, you will be up in the same Heaven that Kai is.......He kept us safe as we flew over some very bad places, because he saw YOUR name on our helicopter! Noah, you have the DUSTOFF motto now, so you too are a savior from the Heavens, an Angel of Mercy."

The mission in fact that we flew was in support and protection of -------- AND -----------of ----------. We followed them all day, and kept them safe. Noah's bird flew V.I.P. all over ----------, with Kai as our watcher!!

Dear SGT Rob & the Platoon

I wanted to take the time to thank you for adopting Noah. Since your original email I have run the gamut of emotions. The most overwhelming one being, gratitude. I'm not sure I can express what your thoughtful actions have meant to me. Every time I think about it or share with a friend we all end up crying, but it's a good thing, to cry from someone else's kindness.

Let me tell you a little bit about Noah. Noah is your typical ten year old. He’s mischievous and funny. His nickname is Mr. Coolman. (He gave it to himself. ) He once wore 6 shirts to school because he wanted to see if he could get his friends to laugh when they noticed he took off yet another shirt. He loves playing with his Army guys and Legos, the Wii and watching TV. A week after Kai passed we got a puppy, Blaze, and she is his buddy. She's a great companion.

What he wants to be when he grows up has ranged from Army guy to a Sniper to an FBI agent to a Police Officer. He loves guns and tanks. Simply put, he's uniquely, Noah.

I think the Lord often puts people in our lives at the times we need them the most. We are how He accomplishes his purposes here on earth. Your compassion and tenderness to someone you’ve never met is but a small example of your greater commitment to the country you defend. Thank you for your service to us as a nation and your kindness to my son.

We look forward to getting to know your platoon better. I know with a leader like you they are in good hands. May God bless and keep you safe. We have added your Platoon and your families to our nightly prayers.

With most sincere thanks,

Kathryn Moster

P.S. Please feel free to share any or all of this email with the Platoon.

Mrs Moster,
Your email touched me in so many ways.......Before I became a Flight Medic in the Army, I was in fact a New York City Police Officer. I worked closely with our SWAT teams, and have some close friends who are in Federal Law Enforcement, (Secret Service, DEA and U.S. Marshalls). I was working on September 11th, and was in fact at Tower 2 when it fell. We all lost friends that day.
Young Noah's aspirations to become an officer or a soldier, or a Federal law enforcer is incredible! They are unique choices indeed, and as you spoke of, he is indeed uniquely Noah. I can only tell you what I'm sure you already know, he is a strong, strong young man. Tell him he has the support of our Platoon, and moreover, he has their respect as well. To have seen what he has seen, and felt what he has felt, but still, even in juvinile imagination; choosing to become such a hero - amazing! He is our honorary Platoon mate, and we will keep a place for him in our formation.
I hope the pictures we took of his name on our aircraft get forwarded to you. They would make a perfect addition to Kai's Corner. Noah was up at 10,000 feet.....he was in Kai's arms, and Kai saw his brother there. I know they spoke, even through just a name written on a machine at war, my crew and I felt the power. You may call it kindness, or commitment, but in MEDEVAC we call it our honnor.

I'm trying to talk one of our guys, the real clown of the group, to wear 6 sets of body armor in tribute to Noah's gag .......it's working, slowly, but I will break him down! Pictures to follow if I can make it happen.......fingers crossed!!
I am endeavoring to get some things special to our Company, and Platoon together for Noah. A unit patch, and MEDEVAC crewmember patch that we wear.....some Army gear, and hopefully a manual on our tanks...(that one I may be doing a favor for.....), but in any event, know that his story - in fact your family's story, touched us, and has given us new commitment to our daily task.

I'll close this email with what we say to each other daily, "you don't say thank you to your family, instead you stand with them when they need it most" Never any thanks needed for us, it is our pleasure, and our honnor to know noah, and for ALL that he, and the school is doing. THAT kindness you have no idea, means so much, that we can never repay it in ten lifetimes.
Be well, and stay safe, thank you for the prayers and thoughts,
SGT Rob.
P.S. We promise pictures and more to come for Noah, his school, and all of you soon!!!!!!!!

SGT Rob-
Thank you for the pictures. Adding them to Kai's Corner is a great idea. We got them and Noah was excited to see Afghanistan from so high. He was equally impressed to hear about your mission to fly air support for ---------- and ----------. We were driving in the car today and listening to the news on the radio when they mentioned ----------. Noah said "Hey! Isn't that who they flew around?" He's been eager to get information about your platoon! We haven't been able to figure out what DUSTOFF is. The name for your platoon? He thought the idea with the body armor was great! I think he had actually forgotten that little stunt because after I read the email I sent to you he decided to give it another go around. This time he only did 5 shirts because he said it was hot.
I wanted to ask your permission to do something. I have a blog and I wanted to put copies of our emails on it. It's a closed blog so you can only get on it by invitation. (I'm sending you an invitation so you can check it out if you want. You do have to set up a google account but that's free and they're good about not sending any spam.)Please know if you are not comfortable for any reason I won't be put out but I didn't want to post anything from you before asking.
Here's why, I'm from a family of 10 children. The typical question that follows that statement is "All from the same parents?" Yes. 7 boys and 3 girls. I'm the 7th child, last girl. 7 brothers. 4 older and 3 younger. Need I say more? Anyway, most of my family live out west and I'm in the east so it's the easiest way to keep them up to date on my little family.
I'm not surprised you felt Kai up in the sky. What you don't know is Kai loved to make paper airplanes. He would make and fly them at church and home and his room was decorated with them. He had always loved paper airplanes but about a month before he passed away I got him this big book with 50 different planes you could fold and make. All the paper had cool designs on it and he loved making them. (They were way too hard for him to manage on his own so I ended up making them under his supervision.) The bad thing was, they wouldn't fly worth squat, coincidentally on the morning of the day Kai died his Dad taught him how to make "the best paper airplane", having been a former 8th grade science teacher he knows a little about aerodynamics. A paper airplane is the one symbol that adorns Kai's grave stone. For us, that airplane has come to represent the idea that, life is short. How short we never know, so appreciate your loved ones. Take the time to be there for them. Don't put off until tomorrow.
Doing what you do, having gone through what you have, I'm sure I'm not telling you something you haven't already figured out. Know that with all our hearts we pray for your platoon and your families while you are away.
Kathryn

Kathryn -

Thank you for the email. It touched me more than you will know. I teared up, and that is something I do not often do. Stoicism and courage, it is what we must display daily, and it is what we by default become. After seeing so much loss, and being a part of so many, so many farewells, we just learn to shut it off. Not today, not when I read your note.Flying in a Blackhawk is like taking the wind, and making it do what you want. When you put the power in, the wind just lifts you, and floats you upward......could a paper airplane have motor and direction, this is what it would be! "Noah" has been quite high over the last few days, and he has soared over ---------....I know Kai has seen his brothers name, and felt him race against him in the sky. He will remain on our bird until we are gone, and then he will come back to the states, and fly above his own land, letting Kai know he's home.

I can not tell you what an honnor it is to be able to be a part of your family like this. To make a young man smile after so much pain, to make a family beam with pride because their hurt is now such a strength. This is why we fight, and why we are as strong as we are, because people like you, and Noah, even Kai; show us we have to. Our honnor, our pleasure.

DUSTOFF - It is a time honnored term used for ALL MEDEVAC units. Spread out it actually means, Deadicated Uhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces. In Viet Nam, one of the very first MEDEVAC pilots, Major James Kelly, flew his UH-1 Huey into a hot combat zone. The Maojors aircraft took many hits, and his systems became disabled. The ground unit radioed him to depart as the area was not secure. Major Kelly responded with the words that adorn the U.S Army School of Aviation Medicine, and the words now famous in all of air medical evacuation; military and civilian. When that Infantry Captain told Major Kelly to depart, the Major did not leave, but instead landed amit hot rounds and keyed his radio...........he replied "WHEN I HAVE YOUR WOUNDED". This is what we do, the supreme sacrifice each of us in MEDEVAC will make for our Brothers and Sisters.
Major Kelly evacuated 7 soldiers on that run, and a total of 15 more on two more flights in his wounded bird. He continued his service, and saved the lives of more than 100 Soldiers in Viet Nam before he was shot down and killed. Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces.... DUSTOFF!

I'm sure Noah will enjoy that small piece of Military and MEDEVAC history. Itt always gives me chills, and makes me proud to do what I do, and unaffraid to give all in the name of my fellow Soldiers if I am called to do so. (P.S. it makes for GREAT book report/school paper subjects........only the cool kids know about stuff like that! Or should I say Mr Coolman was it?)
As for the blog, fell free to share some of the emails, but there are a few including names, and pictures with locations that perhaps are better kept between one source. Emails like this one, and the pictures of Noah's aircraft ....please, by all means share, and I trust your judgement will allow you to decide on the others to share.
Tell Noah, as a member of our Platoon, he has high standards to meet daily! He has not to BE the best at what he does, but must TRY HARDER than all the rest to become better. Our Platoon is always learning, and always pushing each other to surpass what we individually did the day before. We love each other, and trust in ourselves no matter what we are up against. Our Platoon is known as "------ Heard", because we will never be alone, and where we are one, we are all. A heard. Noah is a part of the strongest heard, and will never be alone. ---------- HEARD!

The heard will read the email you sent, and we will respond in kind for you, your family accross the States, and the loved ones and friends you have at home. It is what we do, and it is what Kai would have learned from Noah to do.

Thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, and your honesty, even about things so painful. You are not alone, and know that The Heard is with you always.
SGT Rob

Not Hacked By Kirstin Awesome Moster!

Meh-he-he.... well this is Kirstin, so ya know, I'm still alive, mom hasn't killed me yet with her tomatoes ;) I love chocolate! yepp it's fun and yummy! I love my family and all the cool people that know!!! I enjoy people watching (including guys;), canoeing, eating, playing soltaire, and rock climbing. My favorite color is blue and my mom is telling me that I have to attach a picture with my blog to make a blog, so hmmmmm. OH KAY. gotit. zinktoff!

Idols, Pears and Fall

Buddha vs. Ammon

I've been doing my personal scripture study of the Old Testament this year. It's not my favorite book of scripture by far, but I do love getting reacquainted with all of my childhood scripture stories like Daniel in the lion's den and Esther and Ruth.

Lately I've been studying the Israelites and how they often they turned to idol worship. As I looked at these two little figurines on my windowsill every morning it led me to question,

What are my idols and how can I slay them?

I know for me, idols are synonymous with the things I spend my time on that have no real value or worth. Mindlessly surfing the internet, watching movies instead of being more productive, napping. Of course none of these things are bad in and of themselves it's when they take over that they become so. So there's your deep thought for the day.

What are your idols?

Sumi gave us some pears a few weeks ago. Probably about 3 bushels. I canned them and got 25 quarts out of the batch. It was pretty easy and we've been enjoying them immensely.

Other than that I've just been busy with life.

Kirstin's had her soccer games on Saturdays. Usually in Virginia Beach so that's a big chunk of the day.

Emil Michael and Emil worked on the Eagle Scout project this past Saturday and have it 98% done. (Heavy sigh of relief!!!) Emil M. also had his Senior Portraits done last week. I had my friend Jana do them. As soon as she email's me the proofs I'll send out a link for that. He did good with them and I think we got some good shots.

Noah is doing better in school. The year started out a little rough but hopefully he's turned a corner.

Emil is busy with fixing his truck, doing maintenance on our cars, working, schooling and church. Hopefully the cars are taken care of now and he can find some time for the motorcycle. We'll see.

I've been sewing some quilts for the humanitarian project and a personal one as well as trying to be more diligent with family meals (which is quite a lot of planning!). Next month I'm hostessing my cooking club and the theme is Fondue so for Family Night dessert this week we did a chocolate fondue. I think this week for Conference I'll try a cheese one.

Next month our Young women are going to be having a modest fashion show and I'm planning that as part of a personal goal.

There are so many good things to choose from in life I have a hard time limiting myself. How could anyone be bored with life? I just feel that there is so much to learn that I don't know. I want to do it all- well maybe not all- I could do without math...

The Mosters put the Labor in Labor Day

So yes, it's been awhile since I've blogged. I know but I've been so enjoying the silence of the house since the kids have been back at school. Noah has discovered the fun and thrill of climbing trees.

This is a close up of him in our corkscrew willow in our backyard by our shed.

Here's the full tree. I couldn't find him in it but he's about 3/4 of the way up. Well over the top of the shed. He loves it and so do I. I loved climbing trees when I was his age. It was absolutely my favorite past time.

Just so you don't think it's all fun and games around here. Here's what we've really been up to. Remember when Emil built the canoe racks?

This was what the bank of our land looked like. The creek that runs behind our house is Doxey Creek (seen to the right) and you can get out into the sound (another body of water) which is a really big deal if you can actually access the water because then we have waterfront property!

Well when your bank looks like this it's hard to see the water much less get to it. But Emil worked us hard over Labor Day weekend and now we have waterfront property!

See our little dock?

(Yeah, I'm talking about the pallet in the right hand corner. Hey! It's a start!)

I will say this for Emil, he definitely has vision. And I'm so proud of my kids because they work really hard and don't complain. Actually Noah did have a suggestion that we pay him $5 for allowance that week. He didn't mention his brother or sister though.

So now when you come to visit we can go out canoeing from our back yard! What a treat!

Always There

Kirstin is growing up so fast. This past week she got her Patriarchal Blessing. For those of you who aren't members of our church I'll explain it. It's a blessing we receive in our church to help guide you in your life. You have to request it when you are spiritually ready. Kirstin decided with the advent of High School this was the right time for her so on Sunday she was able to get it. It was a very spiritual time. I had fasted and prayed for her and the spirit was so very strong.

I felt Kai there so strongly that it was as if he was dancing around the room. I can't begin to express how comforting this was. I know that Kai is with us in our lives, on and off, as we need him to be. I've felt that since he passed but this was different. I guess to me it was a testimony that just because his body isn't here on the earth his spirit won't be absent from the important events of our lives. When our children are married, he'll be there, whenever we celebrate something truly significant, he will in spirit along side with us. What a beautiful blessing this faith and knowledge brings to our lives. It's like one of my favorite hymns.

I Stand all Amazed

I Stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace which so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh it is wonderful, that he should care for me, enough to die for me.

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

Hurricane Earl

North Carolina Hurricane Preparedness 101

1. Mow the lawn and set out the flowering plants to get some extra rain. (You have no idea how hard it is to mow the lawn while there is massive amounts of water from the said hurricane. Additionally, if you wait for the water to subside then it's just feeding the grass more and it's 10 times worse later.)

2. Do all the laundry. (even if you don't fold it, it's essential to wash and dry it. It's no fun to have no clean clothes and on electricity to get them clean.)

3. Bake Bread and Goodies. (You already have your 72 hour kit ready so might as well make things that don't have to be in the fridge and you have an excuse for eating without power.)

4. Sit back and enjoy. ( The husband is home and the kids are out of school, you don't have any plans because they were all canceled because of the hurricane. Might as well enjoy some family time!)

Like so many Hurricanes we get Earl was a bit of a wash out. I'm not complaining. The kids got off school Thursday and Friday since the main highway that drives straight through our county is also the hurricane evacuation route for the Outer Banks.

On Thursday they announced mandatory evacuation for the Outer Banks so there was a lot of traffic. School buses on the Hwy. would have severely hampered the evacuation. Friday the hurricane actually passed but was little more than constant drizzle and winds. Not especially strong ones. So we are doing fine and safe. The back yard where we added dirt this summer faired well and didn't form a lake like it typically does. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

School Days!

Today was the first day of school. How cute are they?! Emil Michael is a Senior, Kirstin a Freshman and Noah's in 5th grade. Emil M. and Kirstin will start seminary next week so they get to sleep in a bit until then. Seminary starts at 6:30 in the morning! However they both wanted to get to school early today so they left at 7:20 this morning. I'm sure they just wanted to visit will all their friends. At least they didn't have to worry about a parking space!

Noah was upset when I took out the book he had in his backpack. It was about 4 inches thick and weighted around 5 pounds. I thought it was a bit heavy for a school day. So he went off sulking a bit.

After the kids left I had some friends over for a Back to School Brunch and we visited until around 1pm. None of us planned to be that long it's just been ages since we've gotten to visit uninterrupted. It was so nice!

Check out Blaze, she sits like this all the time. It cracks me up.

I had locked Blaze back in my room so she wouldn't bother our brunch and when I went to let her our she was sleeping on my bed!!!! She jumped right down and acted very contrite but who are we kidding? You know she was like,

"Fine you lock me in your room and guess where I'm sleeping!!"

I just had to include this picture of our neighbor and friend Jeff. This is the typical morning attire for the bus drop. He's even in school colors, Red and Black!

You're styling Jeff.

Emma's Reception

Saturday Kirstin and I went to Emma's reception. Emma is my brother Frank's, oldest daughter. So she's my niece. She married Andrew Weber at the Washington D.C. temple earlier in the day and we attended the reception at 6:30 that evening. This was outside the country club they were having the reception at.

I was snapping some pictures when I must have caught Andrew's eye. We haven't met yet and I think this look says it all. "Who is that woman taking our picture? I'm a little concerned."

Our table. It was a beautiful reception. Emma did an amazing job planning it all.

I love her colors and the flowers were beautiful.

I think that her aunt did the cake. (Not this aunt!)

Frank was there, of course, and it was nice to talk with him for a little bit although it was entirely too short a time to catch up. I also got to catch up with Aubrey and Mariah, Emma's sisters that were at the family reunion this summer. It's been fun getting to know them as young adults. I have to confess. I really need to learn how to take better pictures in the dark settings. I took a ton of pictures but not very many turned out. I guess I'll have to pull out my manual that came with it.

I was sitting next to Andrews' parents and was impressed with them. They were very kind and gracious. I think that they are a good family for her to have married into. They are a beautiful couple and I think that they'll be very happy together. Congrats Emma and Andrew!