2009
Oh what a year. We moved to a new town, a new state, a new house. We put our house on the market, had it under contract, and that fell through. It's still for sale. Want to buy a house?
We switched jobs, switched schools, and had to learn new grocery store layouts.
We lost our beloved cat. Then, we gained a new cat, who showed up on our doorstep. A football loving cat.
We watched my grandparents move from their home of 60+ years, into a small apartment. However, after visitng them frequently, it's not as bad as expected. When you step inside the apartment, it feels like "home".
We've gained more frequent visits with Jared's side of the family. We will work on making them even more frequent.
We've begun playing music together more. We're expanding our song list, and our band. New instruments and new songs.
We're reminded of what is important in life. Family, friends, shelter, food, happiness. We're learning to be much less materialistic, and enjoy what we have, instead of wish for what we don't have.
It's been an interesting year. One that we will look back upon, and have great stories to tell. One that will help make us wise in retrospect. I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year brings.
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The War
Jonas asked for a nerf gun for Christmas. His grandparents gave it to him, with the instructions, don't open it here, save it for home. So, after a three hour drive, he ran into the living room, and got started unpacking it. Caleb kindly helped him. Big brother-ly duties. Then the war began. Jonas had his new weapon.
Caleb had his trusty pistol. He did have to borrow three bullets from Jonas.
But poor Alex, was unarmed.
That seems fair.
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Photography
I enjoyed photography in high school. My dad got me a very nice camera, I was on the yearbook staff, I learned how to develop my film. I enjoyed it.
After Caleb was born, I worked hard to take lots and lots of photos. I recall times when I couldn't afford to develop the film, but I kept snapping away. They weren't artisic shots though. Quailty, but nothing that would make you say wow. I am quite happy that I did a good job of documenting the boys' very early years.
Then, I got my first digital camera. Wow. Photos really took off then. Before I was taking a roll a week or so. Twenty four photos a week, roughly 100 photos a month. After I got a digital camera, I started taking 1000's of photos a month. I learned more on how to take a great shot. I could experiment and take photos at no additional cost. I have not done a lot with these photos, other than back them up, print them out as needed.
But now. Now, I have photoshop. I think this will take me into an entirely new level of love for photography. I am working my way through a book, because the program is very overwhelming. This was my first project. I didn't use their lame photos, I kicked it up a notch, and used my own. I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for my photos.
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Warmer Days
We've been released from our snowy home!
First chance we could get out, we rushed back to Kansas, before the roads got bad again. More snow is due, I hear. This has postponed my get together with my brother, but I'm sure he's understanding, and hopefully we can do that ASAP, as the boys have been asking to see their favorite uncle.
I was looking through some photos on Alex's camera. Oh, the grass was so green, and the photos were so warm! I'll try to enjoy the snow, but I'll be ready for spring when it comes.
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Stuck
So, there's a bit of snow outside. The drifts are about 3-4 feet high. The largest one in our yard, is between our house and our cars. I attempted to go shovel for awhile, but got tired. Caleb shoveled as well, but, I think it was more than he bargined for.
We didn't make it to the grandparents for Christmas yesterday, and it doesn't look like we'll make it out of the house today either. My fingers are crossed for tomorrow. The road doesn't look bad, once we make it past the driveway. Although, it's a mystery, what lies ahead. It's snowing still, as it has been for over 24 hours. Just a small amount of flurries. But, enough to make me wonder where the end is.
Our pets are hanging out in our foyer. The dogs are very content, the cat, much less content. I'm ready for them to become outdoor pets again. Dagny ran around for a couple hours this morning, and came back in covered in burrs. Where did she find burrs in a foot of snow?
I'm a bit stir crazy.
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Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, from our house to yours!
Santa had an interesting night last night, that's for sure. No power to wrap gifts, the pizza never cooked, so he got fudge instead. He couldn't find his own personal wrapping paper, in the dark, nor gift tags. I have to think, this whole area was tricky coverage for Santa. He's lucky he has magic on his side.
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8pm Christmas Eve
We lost power.
The boys are having ice storm flash backs. I never restocked the batteries in the flashlights after the ice storm, all of the flashlights are a bit dim.
I finally found something good about dial up. I have internet for about another hour, until my laptop dies.
The pets are inside, they're nice and warm, and a bit stinky. Little Harry doesn't understand the litter box concept, but he's in a kennel, so it's not the end of the world.
The real crisis is... Santa's pizza is not fully cooked. The power went off before it went into the oven.
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Christmas Eve
I had to run to Walmart for some VERY last minute stuff. Ingredients for our Christmas breakfast, a headlight, and soap. Important stuff. I walked in, and it was rather crowded, which was not shocking.
But, once I got to the automotive section, along with the light bulb section, and paint section.. it was QUIET. I took my time over there, and just finished up my Christmas shopping there. I hope everyone likes their pine tree shaped car fresheners and light bulbs!
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Merry Christmas Eve Eve
Jonas is at an interesting age, where he really WANTS to believe in Santa, but it's all a bit iffy. So, we've moved into a house without a chimney. This is a concern for him. I told him, our last house was the FIRST house we ever lived in with a chimney, so really, it will all be ok. He's not so sure. He's asked about 10 times, how Santa will get in the house. He's also a bit worried, that our stockings are not hung by a chimney with care, rather resting on a steamer trunk.
Also, it is no secret, that we have less income that we did a year ago at this time. The kids know it. It's not a family secret. We don't go out to eat anymore, we cut out extracurricular activities, ect. Jonas told me, that this Christmas it will all be up to Santa and the Grandparents, because we obviously can't afford anything. I told him, I think it will all be ok. No need to worry.
He forgot to write Santa a letter. He announced LAST weekend, he wanted a very specific lego set. He stated he would get his letter off to Santa soon. I told him, I thought it might be a *bit* late to write Santa, as they start MONTHS ahead of time. He told me, they only start the gifts for the kids that send their letters in months in advance early, that he still had time. In the end he decided that Santa usually does good work picking stuff out for him, so, it would probably be ok, to not write the letter.
I have to enjoy this innocent youthfulness while we have it!
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Joys of country living
I'm going to spare you photos of this joyous time in our country life.
Yesterday, there was a dead possum in our drive way. Might of froze, not really sure. I didn't inspect it too carefully. However, now BOTH dogs are in heaven. The thing moves all over the yard, as they change their mind on the best place to enjoy it. Bones are starting to appear. Currently, it is RIGHT NEXT TO OUR PORCH.
I would move it, but I know they would just find it. Hopefully they'll finish it off soon. This is actually the second creature that has been enjoyed by the dogs. It took a couple weeks for the first one to go away.
What a warm, Merry Christmas welcome it provides to guests that visit us. At least the dogs are happy.
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