"Twas the Night Before Christmas"...

Happy Birthday Jim...I miss you

                                                   Barry               Jim            Kelly          Mike

December 18, 1968 was one of the happiest days of my life....I had a little brother!  I was seven when Jim was born.  I felt more like his mother than a sister because of our age difference.  And since my mom  had three kids already, she was more than happy to share the mothering responsibilities. 

September 28, 1996, without a doubt, was the saddest day of my life.  I found out my 27 year old brother had passed away  in his sleep.  Here it is over 15 years ago and I still get teary-eyed just thinking about him. I miss him so much and wish I could have just five minutes with him again to tell him how much I love him and how much he meant to me.  I would also apologize to him for not taking his illness(es) for real.  It was only after he died  did I start learning about Gulf War Illness.  But I know he has forgiven me, because that is the kind of guy Jim was.

Happy Birthday little bro...I miss you!
Your Sis,
Kelly

Christmas is coming

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where
you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that
are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you
have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you
be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle
into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and
love.   It is there for each and every one of us."
Author unknown

Everybody Smile...Take Two!

Everybody Smile!

The family got together at our youngest daughter's home to see her decorated home and eat supper together. Luke didn't want to wear his stocking hat (what's new???). We are so lucky to have our daughters and their families close by. We have a new family member (Kayla's husband Jeremy). Next year we'll have another new family member....Kate (due this March!). This will be Matt and Keri's second child. 14 days til Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

I'm cheating because I am using a picture of my cornucopia I made from last year because
1) I didn't take a picture of the one I made this year and 2) this one looked better anyway!

I feel bad that I haven't written any posts since the first one over a year ago.  LAME, that is all I have to say for myself. 

Everybody has a story?  OK, maybe I didn't think out the name of my blog very well.  Maybe it'll end up being about other interesting people, but for now I think I'll just stick to my immediate self and family. 

Self:  Born in Iowa, grew up in MN, married my HS sweetheart Russ.  We have two daughters Keri and Kayla.  Both gals are married (Matt and Jeremy) and Keri and Matt have one son, Luke.  We are anxiously waiting on our first granddaughter, Kate, who is due to arrive sometime next year around March.

I had three brothers....Barry, Mike, and Jim.  Only my oldest brother is still living.  We lost Jim at age 27 back in 1996 and then Mike died in 1998 (38 years old).  I'll write about them later.

Luke and Mimi

So much to write about and it is hard to know where to start.  Pictures!  I love sharing pictures.   I have a special little man that lights up my life.  His name is Luke and I'm his "Mimi".  I can pretty much assure you all that you'll be seeing him in the future!  Hope it won't be over a year for my next post!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.  Thought....what would you have today that you thanked God for yesterday?  Our pastor Rod included that in his sermon today.  Really made me think about what I am thankful for and who to thank.