Black Friday Shopping

Sasha "modeling" at Old Navy!

My two lovelies at Old Navy. Gotta love the sisterly love!

Sarah and Monica at breakfast!

Sandy, Heather, and I at breakfast.

Monica and Tessa.....

Sasha posing again!.

Went shopping at 0330 on Black Friday. I met the Behm's and Tessa at Target. We had to wait till 0400 til the doors opened. It was a lot of fun. We went to Denny's for breakfast although none of us actually ordered breakfast. The Behm's and Tessa were up all night waiting in lines, so everyone was hungry. I can't tell you what I bought because too many people would read it and know what they are getting for Christmas. Overall, we had a great time.

Dangerous Dishes

Five stitches total !

Getting stitches

All numb...no more pain!

Swollen and gross. What a stupid thing. Washing dishes us dangerous! I will NEVER do them again!

I was washing dishes this morning and decided to wash the kerosene lantern thing. Well...that turned out to be dumb. I had my hand around the glass and was swishing the rag inside when it busted all over the place and sliced my hand really deep. I immediately knew it was big and deep and I needed to get to the hospital. Of course, I wasn't dressed, so Sasha had to help me get dressed, put on my bra, put my shoes on, all while trying to NOT get blood on her everywhere. I called my great friend Amy Paulson, and she came right over and drove me to St. Clare Hospital. From the time that I walked in to the ER till the time that I left was 48 minutes. They were super fast and very efficient. I ended up with 5 stitches. So...the good part of this is that I cannot get it wet for 7-10 days...which means NO CLEANING OF THANKSGIVING DISHES! Hallelujah!

Hail, Sleet, and other gross winter stuff!

This is what happened at 0115 this morning. Dave and I have a west facing window in our bedroom adjacent to our bed. The wind and hail woke me up bright and early this morning. Dave was just getting home from work, so he braved the weather and took a picture of this. The hail was hitting the window so hard, I honestly thought that it would break. I said a silent prayer of protection for our home, then dozed off to sleep. I have a feeling this winter will be a doozie for sure. It was on 36 degrees when I woke up....Brrrrrr

God Can Use Everyone

This is something that came across my desk several years ago and I have always kept it. It is great to remember.

Noah was a drunk. Abraham was too old. Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar. Leah was ugly. Joseph was abused and was hated by his brothers. Moses stuttered. Gideon was afraid. Sampson was a womanizer and had long hair. Rahab was a prostitute. Jeremiah and Timothy were too young. David had an affair and was a murderer. Elijah was suicidal. Isaiah preached naked. Jonah ran from God. Naomi was a widow. Job went bankrupt. John the Baptist ate bugs. Peter denied Christ. The Disciples fell asleep while praying. Martha worried about everything. The Samaritan woman was divorced...more than once. Zaccheus was too small. Paul was too religious. Timothy had an ulcer...and Lazarus was DEAD.

No more excuses now! God can use us to our full potential. Besides, we aren't the message...but only the messenger. God ROCKS!

Learning Chess

Dave is teaching Jayson how to play chess. I can't tell you how many times Dave has tried to teach me how to play chess to no avail. No matter how many times he tries, I am too stupid to learn this complex game. As far as I am concerned, I think that chess should be played like checkers. Anyway...here's to Jayson's successful learning chess. At least he has a great teacher. Grandma Alice hand painted the chess pieces when she made ceramics. So, this is a special game.

Jayson's Court of Honor

L to R: Ron Hjelm, Scoutmaster, Jayson and Dave

Ron Hjelm, Jayson hugging Dave

The Three Amigos. These boys are in the same church class and Scout class. They are from Left to Right: Stephen Grow, Kirkham Dooley, and Jayson Mathison. What fine boys we have that will lead us .

L to R: Mike Pope and Dave Mathison
These men have led many of the Young Men in Scouting.

Last night Jayson had his Court of Honor. He received his Star Rank. He is progressing nicely toward his Eagle Award. I couldn't make it to this ceremony because I had school, but I know he did wonderful. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. I know that I am really partial, but this favorite son of my is awesome. And yes...I can honestly say that he is my favorite son, especially since he is my only one. I love him and I am really proud of him. Keep up the great work. I love ya, Buddy!