The Christmas Card List

I have a list of folks I know......all written in a book,

and every now and then......I go and take a look.

That is when I realize these names......they are a part,

not of the book they're written in......but taken from the heart.

For each name stands for someone......who has crossed my path sometime,

and in that meeting they have become......the reason and the rhyme.

Although it sounds fantastic......for me to make this claim,

I really am composed......of each remembered name.

Although you're not aware......of any special link,

just knowing you, has shaped my life......more than you could think.

So please don't think my greeting......as just a mere routine,

your name was not......forgotten in between.

For when I send a greeting......that is addressed to you,

it is because you're on the list......of folks I'm indebted to.

So whether I have known you......for many days or few,

in some ways you have a part......in shaping things I do.

I am but a total......of many folks I've met,

you are a friend I would prefer......never to forget.

- ANON

Halloween is here and gone . . .

Little Miss Genie

Miss Genie

Lioness

(Not Sure What she decided to be)

Gypsy Mama

Halloween was a blast we started the morning in Austin at the JDRF Walk-a-thon. That's how our faces ended up getting painted. It was really fun and tons of people. Came home and worked on a few projects and then ended the day at the church for a Chili cookoff and trunk or treating. We came in 3rd this year, we won last year, so I guess everyone stepped up their game to make sure we didn't claim the title 2 years in a row : ) It was awesome hanging out with friends though, and the kids had a blast. Paul took Alyssa and some friends over to the CTC haunted house and then came to the house to carve pumpkins and watch movies.

Sweet 16

Wow I know everyone says this, but I just can't believe where time went. When did my first baby grow up. I realize it's a day by day process, but one day I was teaching her to walk and the next I was teaching her to drive. I have to say though I love being a mom to teenagers. We have a good thing going our home and I love it. When the kids were younger I joked with my Mother that her wish had come true. I got 4 daughter who were suppose to turn into a teenager just like me. That's not what happened though, I ended up with great kids, with their own personalities. They are perfect in their un-perfect human bodies. Life is not easy, wonderful and great every single moment, but the good moments out weigh the bad moments. Sunday Alyssa turns 16 I don't have many more opportunities to teach her, to guide her, and to have long talks about boys with her. However no matter how old she gets she'll still always be my favorite oldest daughter.

Green Drinks

I've always been interested in Herbal things. Anytime someone has some ailment I pull out my Herb Bible and check out what herbs might fix the problem. alas I never follow though I usual wait it out or go pick up some OTC med. Of course I do know that somethings call for a doctor and prescription medicine and I'm not opposed to following the direction and guidance of my families doctor. But I also think that there is a purpose of those herbs and are we using them as much as we could be to help us be healthier? I finally took the plunge.

I was concerned about the illnesses that are going around this time of year. My first step was to get my family to just begin taking vitamins everyday a multi vitamin, a chewable c vitamin, and for the two who are not fans of milk they get a calcium chew. Next I picked up echinacea. My two youngest had a hard time with that one, they haven't learned to swallow pills and a herb type is not as easy to learn as a capsule would be (probably my fault for not teaching them on something else). But Shortly after I was introduced to the Green Drink. I researched it and realized that what the green drink offers is what I had been looking for. So I bought it. Surprisingly I've managed to get my family to take it. They don't like it, but I don't hear the gagging sounds anymore as they choke it down.

Actually we learned that Cranberry Crystal Light covers the taste well without sugar. We started out at a low dose half a scoop 'Green Vibrance' in 1/3 cup of juice and our 'back up' juice. We learned that if you stir it until just prior drinking it it keeps the powdery mixture mixed in and it does not settle at the bottom. And if you just drink you don't have time to even taste it. Until After. Hence the 'back up' juice. We drink the mix and immediately follow it with a few ounces of regular cranberry juice. The girls have done quiet well with it.

Why did we do this? As most know I have two girls with Juvenile Diabetes. Their immune system is weak. And since we don't always eat the best anyway we could all benefit from the awesome vitamins, and minerals this stuff offers.

So far so well - we all feel better, have more energy, than before, which is something we all enjoy. Maybe there is something about herbs and the knowledge of how to use them.

Sunday around here means Church

My husband and I co-teach the 4 - 5 year olds. It's quite an adventure each week. They don't really like the idea of sitting still to learn. They need more of a hands on learning. So it's my job to take the words from the lesson and see what I can do to transform it into a lesson they can touch and play and still walk away knowing something new. I never know if I succeeded or not. Only time will tell.

Potholes and Warm Fuzzy Slippers

At 5:30 AM this morning I was driving Alyssa, Gary and Jamie to Seminary (early morning religious studies). The car was quiet so I had a lot of time to think. My brain and body on only 3 1/2 hours of sleep was getting annoyed with all the bumps, and potholes in the road and I wished for better roads. However I realized I should have been grateful instead. Grateful that I was not born a 100 years ago. Coming accross the plains in a wagon would probably drove me insain. And that is only if I was lucky enough go get to ride in the wagon. I think I would have been grateful for the times I got to be in the wagon - bumps and all. I'd have made it to the Salt Lake Valley, but only to be the first patient in the mental institution, that would have had to of been built for me. As for the warm Fuzzy Slippers, it's getting colder here in Texas and I love my slippers at 5:30 AM out in the cold. I would not have had that comfort either a 100 years ago.