Reflections

It is hard to believe that our year is coming to a close and a new year filled with endless possibilities is upon us. As I look back on this year, I am blessed beyond measure at all the Lord has given me. Hubby and I were able to spend time with our closest friends here; they love taking us on back roads and showing us new sites. I so look forward to more day trips and fun times together. It is always great to have someone who understands your little quirks, like driving back roads and watching wildlife just for the thrill of it. I am so thankful that my brother and his wife surprised me for my birthday by flying into Colorado in winter. What an incredible blessing they are to all of us!!!! We spent time back in California with family and friends; we love to visit but I can say I'm so glad I don't live there anymore. We saw our grandkids grow in leaps and bounds and are so blessed by our newest granddaughter, Alaina who joined our family on Thanksgiving Day. We are also so blessed for another little girl that will join our family this spring, taking the number of grandchildren up to nine. Thank you Lord, although I always wanted a big family with lots of kids, You have given me that through our daughters. I am so thankful and blessed by our two girls and their families. Hubby and I especially enjoyed seeing New Mexico with our good friends and old neighbors from Ca. I am thankful for the simple, slower life that we enjoy here. I am thankful for the wonderful pets the Lord has given us over the years and for how each one has enriched our lives. I am thankful for memories that bring smiles to our faces. I am thankful for my hubby of 31+ years and for the husband he is. I am so blessed by all my new bloggy friends-wow, who woulda thought! I am looking forward to this New Year and all that it holds. I believe the Lord is doing a mighty work in this world, in the lives of believers and unbelievers alike. I am looking forward to spending time focused on Him, because it is all about Him.

Happy New Year friends!!!!

Blessings, Noreen

Friendship

If anyone had told me a year and a half ago that joining this new world of blogging would produce some incredible and deep friendships, I would have smiled but been doubtful. I am here to say that I have made some of the best friends I've ever had, most of whom I've never met but plan to.
In my head I'm already planning a trip to Florida to meet a group of ladies who I've grown to love, Ca. holds some dear sisters too, Canada-one of the closest I've got and there are many, many dear gals scattered across our wonderful country. When my daughters were young, hubby and I would take cross-country trips showing them our country and her history. Well, I think another cross country trip would be just fine-but my stops would be centered around the relationships I've grown to cherish.
As you know, this past Christmas night has been a very hard one for us but I have to tell you that the comfort, love and support you all poured out to us was incredible. You have given me such a gift in your love and prayers. There are still hard moments and there will be for awhile but the Lord's grace has been upon us. I just wish I could grab each of you and give you a big hug but this will have to do until I meet you face to face. If I can tie in a golf course with each stop, my hubby would be so happy.
From my heart to yours Thank you for your kindness!
Love, Noreen

Christmas 2009

Sadie 6/1/99-12/26/09 RIP

Although we did get snow on Christmas eve and some very treacherous weather with high winds but we did not have the white stuff floating around. We had a wonderful time with our family on Christmas eve as well as Christmas morning and Christmas dinner. When we arrived back at home our dearly loved companion was very ill and continued to go downhill quickly. WE got her into the car and headed to the only emergency vet clinic, a 30-40 min. drive due to the bad weather. We went over everything with the vet and although Sadie was in pain she was so gentle even unto the end. Her whimpers were so very soft that one would not know she was in a very bad state. We left her there to get fluids and undergo some blood tests and returned home to await the results. The vet called and with tears told me that it wasn't good and that even with extreme treatment she would not survive. Through sobs, I told the vet to be merciful to her, our beloved friend. We could not return and hold her due to the road conditions and the vet and two assistants, who had been loving on her while we were there, held her and loved her for us to the end. For those of you who have pets and love them you will understand the deep grief we are going through. Our other old dog keeps wandering through the house and around the yard looking for his best friend. Our grandchildren keep saying how they'll miss her and how they loved her. She was the best friend a person could have and she loved us unconditionally. Her dog tag now hangs on our Christmas tree and I know in time I will smile at the memories of her but for now the tears flow as I recall her antics. Here is one that shows her personality~the first weekend we got her from the humane society she made herself at home, immediately by jumping up on the couch. Later we had to run to the grocery store and when we returned she had a present for me, sitting on my pillow. She had gone outside and killed a mole(we didn't even know we had them)and brought it back putting it on my pillow as a present. I wasn't too happy about that but knew it was a gift of love. She was always like that, always faithful and gentle but filled with silly-ness and spunk. She was with us for 8 1/2 years and probably the best dog we ever had.
For those of you with pets, would you give them some extra love for me tonight.
I'm thankful I have Reggie to love on right now.
Hugs, Noreen

A White Christmas

The snow began last evening around 9:00 p.m. and hasn't stopped. We were hoping that we'd have a white Christmas and it looks we will indeed.

I talked to my friend in Longmont and she thinks they had a bit less, probably 2", than we have.

This is a hard to see but we got around 8". We've been told it will continue through the day; my heart goes out to all those who have to travel today and tomorrow. This is nothing compared to the east coast and the midwest; I'm thankful for that.

Enjoy your day today my friends.

Merry Christmas!

Noreen

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with blessings from above and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Christmas 2009
Hugs, Noreen, John and our grandchildren

Happy Birthday to you

Our sweet little Olivia turned two on Saturday and the family all got together to celebrate.
Olivia is a wonderful, quiet and calm two year old but she does hold her own in a big family; she is a daddy's girl but adores the entire family.

Had to show you all a photo of how big our Alaina has gotten. She reminds us so much of her big brother, John, seen holding her here. She is a calm baby and so very alert.

Olivia does have a sweet tooth and was excited about the cake her momma made.

Checking out a card before getting into her presents.

My girl, my the Lord richly bless you this year and lead your parents in your training. You are a precious jewel in our family and this nana looks forward to watching you grow.

Well friends, the countdown is on; here at our home we are done with shopping and wrapping and will now relax and enjoy. Simplifying Christmas has made it so easy and stress free plus given me some free hours to spend with my dear friend who is out here dogsitting. One of our dogs wasn't doing so well this weekend so I spent most of the weekend here at home.

As we draw near to the celebration of our Lord's birth may you seek Him and behold the glory of the Lord.

Hugs, Noreen

Thankful Thursday and Funfilled Friday

Blessings to you my friends. Oh what a busy couple of days I've had; firstly Christmas shopping for our grandchildren, then today I had my hair cut and colored and then headed down to Longmont to visit with my dear friend who is here house sitting. The photo above is a small sled my family gave me many years ago that I fill with holiday stuffed animals. Occasionally I fill it with our grandkids and we take photos-not this year though, at least not yet.
I love to collect snowmen of all shapes and sizes and found that my kitchen windowsill was a perfect spot for these. In fact, I think I'll leave them out at least til February because they are just so cute.
Tomorrow I'll be helping my oldest make cookies with her kiddos. Maybe I'll actually help instead of holding my newest bundle of love. Tomorrow night our church has a music program that we'll be attending. Saturday eve we will be celebrating another granddaughter's 2nd birthday. What fun!!! Sunday may find me back down with my girlfriend for a couple of days. She usually house-sits for 2-3 weeks at a time and since I only get to see her once a year we try to squeeze in as much time as possible. Being that she is 45 minutes away does limit how often I go down, but boy do we have fun.
Have a joyous day and weekend; make it a priority to find joy in all you do, cherish the moments of life and in all things give thanks.
Remember Jesus is the reason for the season!
Hugs, Noreen

This is an ornament that our friends gave us that they got in Israel last spring. It is made out of bamboo and holds a special place because they gave it to us.

Today's treasure from the Word is:
"And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." IJohn5:11-12

During this holy season it becomes even more evident of this truth. May you be blessed today.
Hugs, Noreen

And the witness is this God has given us

Good Morning All~

I pray you each had a blessed weekend, filled with joy during this holy season. In the hustle and bustle of busyness, it is easy to lose sight of the most important aspects of Christmas. As I was going over my schedule for the week, it seems jam packed with so many things that it would be easy to get stressed about it all~so I stopped and asked the Lord to direct my days and to give me a heart of wisdom.
The photo above is a small decoration that I've had for over 20 years; it is so precious to me because of what it signifies-simple devotion to the King of Kings. If our eyes and our hearts are focused on Him, everything will fall into place accordingly.

Stay warm today and be blessed.
Noreen

Finding Joy In The Little Things

Christmas in the Sierra's 2006

Yesterday afternoon hubby and I ventured down to Golden, about 1 hour drive from us, to have dinner with some good friends. The weather was clear, the roads ice-free(thankfully)and the traffic extremely light. We purposely left early to avoid rush hour, because I do not enjoy traffic and since we made good time, we got to stop at one of our favorite antique stores-Armadillo's.
The store is huge and all I can say is that if money were no object we would always walk away with some new treasured antique. As it is, we really do just love walking the isles and browsing.
We then headed to our friends house and had a wonderful dinner. O.k. I will confess that I am still adjusting to baking here and my dessert had a bottom crust not fully baked. We will now purchase an oven thermometer to check the temp because I'm beginning to think it doesn't heat up to the full temp. and I really want to figure this out. After dinner, we played a new game-a dice game called Greed, but we were told that it has several different names. It was so fun and we are anxious to introduce it to our kids. Last week we played Tripoey with everyone; we've played that for many years so this new game will be a welcome addition. Our friends even sent us home with a puzzle for the holidays and cold weather.
Today we head over to our daughter's, C; I am trying to get to her house once a week, at the minimum, to help out with the new baby and spend time with the grandkids. I think hubby is going with me because our boys would not be too happy if I came alone. Our weekend seems to be filling up quickly and the next week looks booked already.
Our weather today is supposed to be in the 30's and tomorrow is supposed to hit the 40's-we'll feel like it's spring if it gets warmer than that.

Have a blessed and joyous weekend!
Hugs, Noreen

What a wonderful world we live in; we have so much to be thankful for each day! Yet, I realize, how many people slip into continual discouragement, especially at this time of year.
This week I've been so thankful to see Christmas through the eyes of a child; to remember the wonder of the season as viewed from a young one. I've also seen so many hurting at this time of year for various reasons~life threatening illnesses, financial troubles, bitterness, unfulfilled expectations. It is so easy to get pulled into that riptide of hurt without really stopping to take inventory of all the blessings in our lives.
So today I am so thankful for these:
A new day to live, may I live and love fully, being filled with appreciation for each breath I take. I am thankful for eyes that see, ears that hear, a heart that beats, a mind that is able to think and arms to hug.
I'm thankful for walking through the valleys of life in order to see the stars more clearly. The sun still shines in the morning.
I am thankful for those loved ones who've allowed me the privilege to walk through their journeys with them; journeys of joy and sadness and paths where I can grab a hand and journey with them for as long as we are able.
I am thankful that His grace is new every morning and He promise to never leave us or forsake us.
I am thankful for the blessings of those who know me intimately and love me still; especially my dear husband. I am so incredibly blessed and thus thankful for my two girls, their godly hubby's and our eight going on nine grandchildren.
I am thankful for dear friends, old and new, who we are able to spend time with embracing life.
I am thankful for pets, those four legged creatures that we take into our hearts and share our lives with.
I am thankful for my dearest friends, my prayer warriors who uplift and encourage me when I become weary. There are so many but special in my heart are these kindred sisters: Becky, Carol,Lynn, Lisa, Dineen, Cyndi, Pam, Marlene, Sue, Amy, Patricia, Stacy, Angela. xxxooo
I'm thankful for snow and for the different seasons. To see the earth covered in white glistening
powder makes my heart sing.
I am thankful for the strength to still help shovel our driveway and our walkways.
I am thankful that our two old dogs have adjusted well to all the white stuff that covers the yard.
But mostly I am thankful for Him!
Because it really is all about Him!

May your joy be made full in Him today.
Noreen

More from the Library

During this holy season, every person should read some sort of Christmas story, besides reading the Original Story of Christ's birth. There are so many classics for all ages; most of mine I've passed on to my daughters for their reading time over the month. When we homeschooled, our plan for December was more homespun than normal~filled with lots of baking thus incorporating math, bible memorization, and lots and lots of literature. Needless to say, I always love to have some Christmas centered books around and this year I actually picked up a book at our local grocery store. I got it for reading at my girls house when she was in the hospital but never got around to it. The title is: Christmas Homecoming by Debby Mayne and it is actually a novella-four short books in one. What I loved about this easy read was that it was centered here in Colorado-Boulder to be precise. The first story was by Debby Mayne entitled Silver Bells. The second story was I'll Be Home For Christmas by Elizabeth Ludwig; the third was O Christmas Tree by Elizabeth Goddard and lastly The First Noelle by Paige Winship Dooly. These stories are definitely easy reading but center on family relationships and the healing of Christmas.
Whether you find time to reread a classic this year or pick one up at the library, find some time to just sit and enjoy a good book with a cup of warmth.
Blessings,
Noreen

From My Library

Good morning Friends~
Oh what a glorious morning it is! When I gaze outside all I see if white powdery stuff blanketing everything. The joys that winter brings.
Wanted to share three books that I borrowed from my oldest daughters bookshelf last week.

• If God Should Choose by Kristen Stagg. This is the story of Jim and Roni Bowers, missionaries in Peru; the plane they were flying in was shot down by the Peruvian Air Force and Roni and their daughter Charity were killed. It is an amazing story of lives completely surrendered to God. I'm almost finished and think this book should be on the list for homeschoolers to read.
• Attitudes of a Transformed Heart by Martha Peace. This looks like a wonderful study on Romans 12:2; I've read some of her other books am excited to start this next.

• A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman. I am not familiar with this author but was so drawn to this book. It reminds me of Open Heart, Open Home that I read as a new Christian. Can't wait to get through all of these books.

A big thank you to my girl for having such an amazing book collection. She belongs to a online book exchange and is constantly getting new books to add to their collection.
Have a wonderful warm Monday.
Hugs, Noreen

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Welcome to my home. I decided to show you some of our favorite decorations; many of which are between 20-30 years old. This beautiful tree was something I gave into about 8 years ago and although I fought tooth and nail against buying an artificial tree I am so glad we did. I always got allergies from live trees and I love how easy this tree is-no needles to constantly pick up and it looks good year after year.

When we were first married I brought the Nativity scene and I love it. It is hard to see the details but it is one of the best sets I've seen.

I also have several Lizzie High dolls that my brother and sister in law gave me one year....they are treasures. On our buffet we have set up part of our village collection-something our grandkids love looking at. I love the high ceilings in our kitchen-just perfect for some of my snowmen.
I just put the kettle on and would love to share a cup of tea or cocoa with you, can you sit a spell and visit.

Christmas Blessings to you.

Noreen

A Dogs View

Hi, I'm Sadie and yesterday I asked my mom why she always reads about dogs and their people but never posts about me or my best friend Reggie. So today since it is Thankful Thursday, she decided to tell you all why she is thankful for us. She's walking around the house singing, "Baby It's Cold Outside" because this morning our temperature outside was 13 degrees and it is now 19 degrees. Meanwhile I'm thinking "It's a Wonderful Life" because my mom and dad love me/us so much! She says I have a sense of humor cause I do silly things like sit up on the dining room chairs and dad just says I'm a silly dog. We do have it pretty easy here and my mom doesn't know who is more blessed-me or her. All I know is that I love living here cause my life wasn't so good before they adopted me. When they first brought me home I ran right over to the couch and jumped up cause I knew it was a forever home. I was alone the first couple of years and got lonely but then my best friend came to live with us. I used to visit him at my mom's sisters house but then she wasn't around anymore so he came to live with us.

Hi I'm Reggie, the old guy in this house, but I'm a great watchdog. Mom says I'm gentle but when someone comes in I always bark at them. Sadie and I are like a little old married couple, at least that's what mom says. When one of us is outside the other is too. We get to go on walks together and even though I'm getting stiff I still try to play with Sadie sometimes. Mom says I was probably kept in a small cage as a puppy cause I don't know how to play, other than with Sadie. All I know is that I'm glad I'm here and that mom and dad love me. I do miss my mom's sister-my other mom-but mom says I'll meet her at the Rainbow Bridge someday. I think she just makes this up so I don't worry about getting old. I love laying in the sunshine inside-it is a bit too cold out for me.

So now that mom has us one her blog, maybe will get to visit more often.

Today I am thankful for our beloved dogs, past and present, and the joy they bring into our lives. I can't imagine life without a dog, especially now that we are empty-nesters. When my hubby goes on golf trips they make me feel so much more secure. Due to allergies we don't have cats and eventually we will go to a breed that doesn't shed much, like a poodle mix. If I had my way and we lived on the land, we would definitely have more but with the cost of vets visits and boarding when we travel, one or two work for me.

Have a wonderful day.

Noreen

Children are a gift from the Lord.
Our precious granddaughter, Alaina.
Photo courtesy of Carrie @ Our Journey 11/09