The Iowa Connection: January 2009

Monday, January 26, 2009

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Christmas 2008, Finally

We were finally able to have Christmas with Jess, Chad, and the boys. Here are some pictures & a couple of clips for you to enjoy.

Hunter got a laptop for Christmas. He can learning letters, numbers, spelling, math, draw, and write his own "emails". Ian decided to give it a try also.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

It is hard to believe that January is almost over. Where does the time go? Another cold snap this weekend and then they say it will warm up again. At least we are on the downhill to spring (or so I think). Starting with this weekend, I have something going on every Saturday through February 21st. Should make the month of February fly by.

We are all on a walking routine to help keep the pounds down and build up strength. Mom and Dad are walking every other day at the Community Center. Ken and I are giving the treadmill a work out. I also walk about 20 minutes at work in the lower level hallway. Refreshes the mind for the afternoon.

Today we will be celebrating Christmas with Jess, Chad, and the boys. Mother Nature has hit us with bad weather each time we have made plans to get together. We were starting to think it would be July before we could have Christmas with them.

Work is busy for me this time of year and I've worked late a few days and even brought things home. We have a Process & Security Audit coming up in two weeks and just need to make sure we have everything we need in place for our client when they come. It will be a hectic week, but we'll survive. Ken is staying busy with work, the ambulance service, and blowing snow. Thank goodness for the big snow blower (and I thought we didn't need one that big)!

Mom has been busy sewing quilt tops for the Hospice program. She put together some beautiful tops. You think initially how beautiful and that someone will enjoy the quilt, then you remember these are for hospice patients.

Dad is doing more walking around the house and at the Community Center. We are noticing he is building up some strength in his legs. Very proud of you Dad, keep going!! Won't be long we'll need to get into the flower beds and we are going to need your expertise!

Will take pictures today and post them soon. Blessings to all!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Thought I would take a few minutes to catch up on what is happening in Iowa. I know that it comes as a surprise to all, but yet again we got snow yesterday. At least we didn't all the ice before hand. (Always looking for the positive in winter!) Ken loves the snowblower - - he clears our snow, keeps the driveway and walk clean for a neighbor, and also does the drive for the ambulance service. He was voted in as Assistant Crew Chief this year, does the janitor work, and orders supplies. So much for slowing down.......... Can't complain, because I think he really enjoys it.

Last Saturday my sisters, Val & Lisa, and I went to visit our cousin in Eldora. She had moved her mother to an apartment and found some pictures and things that were my Dads. She knew that we would like to have these things and was happy to show us her finds. When we saw his school pictures we saw a lot of our brothers in his face. She also located a picture of our great-grandmother and then found her marriage certificate. What a find!! It is absolutely beautiful with all the color and detail on it. She married my great-grandpa Floyd on April 14, 1897, in Janesville, IA. I have posted a picture above. It's not very clear, but shows you the beauty of the documents from their time. We are trying to locate someplace that can make color copies of it.

It is now in a beautiful picture frame and she is doing a great job of trying to keep it preserved.

After reading Andrea's blog, I feel like I need to spend my time at home being more constructive. You and Brad are a cleaning, painting, recycling, orgainizing machine!!

Talked to Hunter & Ian on the phone this week (because the weather just doesn't allow us to get together to have our Christmas with them). Hunter talked, Ian just told me no. They both were sick and just feeling crappy. Read on Jess' blog that she will be enrolling Hunter in preschool....where does the time go?

I loved the pictures Tiffany posted of her cats. Be careful, those cats are going to pay you back someday. She posted her Hopes for 2009 and my hope is that we all get the things on our 2009 Hope List.

We are all doing well, just feeling a bit stir crazy with the weather. Work is hectic, but it's always great come home each night to those you love.

My Hope for 2009

That 2009 exceeds all your expectations.