SELF PORTRAIT TUESDAY

Me, with my one-of-a-kind, broom. There is no one else in the whole wide world that has a broom quite like mine! Our son, Sam, took the brushy part of the broom off, and taped the broken end of a Star Wars light saber to the top....ta da...his own, very unique, light saber. And me, with no broom. So...when Sam and our grandson are not using the "light saber" to ward off the Dark Side, he screws the brushy portion back on for me! Boys...gotta love em!

BLUEBIRD SITING!

Yes, it is only the end of January, and I have spotted my first pair of bluebirds here in the midwest! Now, granted, we have had an unusually mild January, but...BLUEBIRDS???? Since moving to our "farm" 4 years ago, I have spotted many bluebirds. Have even had them nesting 10 feet from my front door! But I think the end of January is the very earliest I have seen them. No complaints here...thats for sure! It can only be a sign that spring is right around the corner. And who in their right mind would fuss about that?

FAVORITE MORNING SPOT!

My favorite spot in the morning is my coffee corner. As I stumble out of bed, slip on my blue fuzzy slippers and my thick terry robe, my mind is on only one thing....get my coffee. If I have done some advance thinking, I have already put the filter in place, and filled the water reservoir the night before. Now, off to the freezer where the canister of Folgers new Gourmet Supreme dark roast waits. Ahh...minutes later, a steaming cup of morning delight. Poured into my vintage, garage sale "Forget-me-not" cup, and sweetened with my sugar free/very low fat vanilla flavored Coffee-Mate...I am off to my little corner of the living room where I feast on the Word of God. I love my early mornings, when the household still sleeps, and the only sound is the cats rubbing up against me, or walking across my bible, looking for some affection. For a little while, at least, the house is mine alone, and it's me and the Lord. Now I can face the world.

WINTER DUCKS

These are "our" ducks, as opposed to the other 100 "incoming' ducks that show up every day thru the winter! Our only white duck, aptly named Aflac, was born nearly 2 years ago. Both her "parents" are brown ducks...where did she come from???
Fortunately, the duck food is only $5 for 50lb bag! Wish we could eat that cheap!

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

My son Sam, 16, (he's the one in the mask) and my grandson, Austin, 5, (the one with the feather) outside playing dress-up! Austin adores his uncle Sam, and Sam looks for any excuse to hang out with Austin. Here, they decided to dress up and sword fight. My 2 boys!

My 1st love---my dad!

I spent the last 2 weeks in Florida, visiting with my dad. He has been very ill, and I needed to be there to go to several Dr. appts. with him. It really is better that the doctors he will be involved with have a face to go with a voice, as I will be talking to them several times in the next few months. I am extremely grateful that I had this time to spend with him while he was still felling well enough to get around. I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I know HE holds my future. I want to be able to say that about my dad. So if those of you who are reading this journal of mine are praying folks...keep him in your prayers. I want to see him in the kingdom of God. Cause I love him. My 1st love. My dad.
Love,
Cyn

SELF PORTRAIT TUESDAY

Kind of an odd self portrait, huh? Well, for those of you who know me, you know that this last year I started running (at age 51), and ran two 5k races! This is a photo of my first pair of running shoes, bought last March, and finally wore out. I cannot believe I wore out a pair of running shoes!!! They have over 300 miles on em! I run 3x a week (maybe 4 on a good week) and I do 3 miles each run. The names on the side in permanent marker are the names of all 5 of my children, my husband, and my grandson. They are who I run for. The new pair my oldest daughter just bought me will have my name written on them, as well as the other 7 names. Cause I run for me. I run to stay fit. I run to stay healthy. I run so I can eat a bit more at dinner. I run so that I can have that extra glass of wine in the evening. I run to stay sane in a world that is insane. I run for me.
Love,
Cyn

Austin turns 5!

My grandson turned 5 this past December! Such a sweetie, and his mama is doing a wonderful job raising him up! We love our boy!

Christmas Eve 2005

Christmas eve, 2005...For the past several years we have kind of a pattern for the holidays....early Christmas Eve at Dave and Dar's, then off to Pete's sis Cindi and brother-in-law Tom to cap off the evening. There are friends who are closer than a brother... We love our family...we love our friends. We all look forward to what 2006 will bring.
Dar and me, Christmas eve 2005.






Dave and his "new" hat













Ave and Beth checkin out 20 Q's

Christmas Day 2005

Christmas Day at our house with our children and step-dad, Hank. As always, there is nothing more important than family. We are so very thankful to have 5 wonderful children, an incredible grandson, an awesome son-in-law, whom we love like a son, a step-dad who is like a father to me, my mother-in-law, who I have grown to love and care for, my own father, who lives down south, but is continually in my heart, and numerous sisters and brothers. May the Lord richly bless you, as we have been blessed!