Yep....he's in the money.....he's in the money....YAHOO for Rick. His name was read out on the "ARROW" on Monday, January 25th. They are going to double his paycheck...(for one week).

Frank...sorry...I'm not Rich...Rick is...you'll have to hit him up for the loan---j/k~well we'll see how much he really gets and if Uncle Sam gets his not so fair share! It's ALLLL HIS! LUUUCccKKY day for him...MAN that NEVER happens! Thanks ARROW...and don't make fun of my hubby for not getting excited...he does...you just have to know him to understand him---he HATES the phone! I'm just excited he heard you and called back...hey Do you know how to get a hold of "OVerhaul mY Truck"....if he's running a lucky streak...lets keep on down that road uh!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY T-RAY!

Me: Talan, what would you like for your birthday?

Talan: I want a bees shirt that is black right here and gray, and maybe some buttons.

Me: man, that's easy!

Me: (a few weeks later)...Talan, what can gramma and grampa get you for your big 4th birthday?

Talan: Gramma, I told you, all I want is a bees shirt. Annnd, maybe some pants.

Me: What kind of pants? (we're on the phone).

Talan: uh...like these gramma, geeez! That's all! I weally want them!

So he got them. A bees shirt, levis and a ipod shuffle so he can rock n roll like his broffer!

Talan is so fun! He says and does the funniest things! His expressions are priceless!
We had a great time bowling with all the family then a scrumptous dinner at Mcdonalds- YUM!! Thanks for having us! We had fun!

Sunday's

Sunday...
What is a Sunday to you?
Church at 11 am....YES.... a sleep in day! How I LOVE them. Rick hates them! He wishes church could be over by 9!
It's attending a meeting here or there with various assignments to bring people unto Christ.
I love our calling....did I really say that? Don't tell them that though! J/k! I don't like the searching for those lost sheep, (I feel bad for an awful comment I shared with Shawn & Angela last night-they know what it was and I'm sorry, I need to try harder) but I LOVE teaching those that have come for comfort or looking for the truth! It's truely an honor to facilitate that class! I don't know how else to describe it! What a honor to be a part of that! Have you ever noticed the change in a room when you testify of Christ!

Sunday's consist of ALOT of driving...good part...one on one time with my Man!
And...Serving my parents.
Today, Dad's not feeling well. Coughing and sore throat. Doesn't feel up to the visit with Mom but wants a pizza! Delivered and visited, watched a bit of a game with him and carried out his wish to check on Mom. He said today, "I think she likes it there!" I do too Dad! But I didn't share the part about how I don't! It doesn't matter! Her cushion to her wheel chair is missing again. Really, how do they loose these things. Her clothes...they come and go even when they are clearly marked with her name. But her pad to her chair. She's in the chair most of the day. Only gets out to sleep and they say she doesn't nap. SIGH! She's uncomfortable without it, she lifts herself in her chair and groans while we visit. I ask for help in finding it...little response but they will look. Yeah, right! Why don't I believe them! Mom's eyes look different today...kind of grayish. Empty, but she's talking about all kinds of stuff. It doesn't make any sense but the words consist of family names, mostly those from Louisiana. She talks about Stacey...said she's gotta work on getting something for Stacey. I tell her I don't need anything..she's totally confused at my response. What would I know, she was talking about HER Stacey! We leave her before meal time. I don't like being there for that....too frustrating as she plays mostly with it and ends up with it on her lap. I try to help her, she gets frustrated...just isn't worth it for either of us!

Now we come home to a quiet house. Linda tells me I will learn to like it. Not so much! I'm happy and proud of our children and happy they are creating wonderful lives of their own. It's still loney without the noise here! I love their friendship we share and hope it grows deeper as we all grow older!

so notice in the first picture of ladies...Carla suggested we pull a funny face..hmmm...girls...you weren't listening! So Carla & I are the ones who will play uh!!!

New years was awesome. Just a quiet, quaint dinner with dear friends hosted by the sweet Jensen's. I LOVE these people. They are such giants in all they do! Such examples of Christlike love and well...I just can't get enough of them. We need to hang out more! This little saying describes these sweet people as well as another I sent this too....(you know who you are!) And to those who couldn't make it...we missed ya!
There's a miracle called Friendship

That Dwells within the heart

And you don't know how it happens

Or where it gets it's start.

But the happiness it brings you

Always gives a special lift

And you realize that Friendship

Is one of God's Most precious Gifts!

Christmas morn, we left Mick's to meet Linda at Mom's place. That way, she could see Mom for Christmas and then take Dad home, saving us another trip out there. She had Merrilee, Ashtyn, & Mindee with her. It was fun to see them, it's been entirely too long!

Mom was on one this day. Not in such a good mood. She was eating, or playing in her apple pie when we arrived. We allowed her to finish then took her back to her room to give her her gifts. She said "I don't want that, get that away from me as I pulled the quilt and clothes out of the box!" She has no idea what's she's saying or doing. She was ticked cause we took her back to her room I think and I closed the door to keep her in. She has become the little social butterfly there, tooling around in her chair, visiting others around her. One lady there, says, "does she REALLY have a George? Is he for real!" Yes Unice, he's for real! I answer. The visits each week are pretty much the same. She seems to have hit a plateau, not getting worse, but not getting better. She continues to loose weight each month and she can't possibly have any muscle left. She's had a weird color to her forehead, kind of like a bruise, but no bump...Mick says, Mom, her skin is dieing....just like the rest of her! Today she was real talkative about her Momma and Daddy. Says they can't seem to get something and she wonders if she ought to just quit!" Yes, Mom, it's okay to quit. Go with them I answer!

For Christmas we gave her clothes, she needs long pants that fit her, but it's frustrating cause they keep loosing them in the wash! Linda gave her some slippers too, but I'm not sure they will even have her wear them. I've decided the morning crew that dresses her can't read or speak english! So many times I will go there and Mom will be in her roommates clothes or shoes. And all her clothes, including the door to her closet are labeled with each of their names. Can't really be that hard can it! Today while visiting, her roommate Dena was lieing on her quilt I made her. Ticked me off! Is that bad? ..the aide told me she's had it for several days. I asked her to have it laundered and give it back to Mom...not that she'll know, but I do! Maybe I should make one for Dena too! Merry Christmas Mom, I love you. I hope you get to go HOME for Christmas! I mean that with all the love in my heart!

Christmas morning we rose and headed south to pick up Dad. I wasn't taking no for an answer this day! We arrived about 930 and headed to Mick & Brandyn's for breakfast. We gave Dad his gifts here. We gave him a coat and shirt, and Jody brought over this cool picture she made of all their siblings. All 11 of them. He thought that was pretty special. Shawn & Ang joined us before heading out to her folks. They actually stayed quite awhile more than us. We left about noonish or so to take Dad to see Mom. It was fun to see the kids and see what Santa brought them. Makes it nice so they don't have to rush out of the house after opening their presents! Linda started the tradition years ago of gathering at her place for brunch. We have started that tradition in our own family. Seems as Mick's house has become the place. Who knows what other years will bring as the family continues to grow. I miss getting together with Linda and her family. It's so hard to accomplish now that our families all have their own families! Dad seemed to enjoy the visit. He's slowly moving along without his lifelong sweetheart at his side. That's hard for him. When he does join us and enjoys himself...he feels guilty that Mom is not with him. Sad isn't it!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve, we all worked...that stunk! But we were off early enough to meet up to go to a movie. Mickie made the comment..."it's just not the same without the "Blymiller" get together we use to do at our place." Your right Mick...and I'm not so sure that's a bad thing! Anyways....Chris & Tahnie had some last minute shopping to do and her family plays games on Christmas eve..they play Bingo with real prizes like gift cards and cash. Sounds kind of fun! We missed them!

Years ago we spent the day at the movies after we finished visiting the many friends we use to make time for. As our family grew, it became so hard so we changed to the Blymiller clan clam chowder night. It would usually end early so we would hit up a movie either before or after to fill the day. This Christmas eve, we met at 4 to see ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS SEQUEL. The little boys loved it. The rest of us loved being together. Shawn & Ang had to head out to her Mom & Dad's place to talk to her brother who's serving a mission. It's a day ahead in Korea so it was his Christmas call. The movie was over by 530 and Mick & I looked at each other and went...uh, now what. So they came over to our place for a while and had some clam chowder and shrimp. They wanted to be home early enough to do their thing so they headed out about 8ish I believe. It was fun to enjoy every little bit we got with all the kids!

If you know me, you know I LOVE to give gifts to my family at Christmas. I LOVE bringing smiles to their faces. This year was hard. Last year we gave a trip to Disneyland. Something that we could all enjoy together. It was fun, but it didn't work out as well as we had hoped. Shawn & Ang couldn't go...and it was ALOT of money-something that we just couldn't do this year and I was bummed! What to do, what to do....Rick sent a text to all the kids early in December...no money, no gifts...your parent's are broke! Mickie texted back.."are you two fighting?" Shawn called us laughing...and Chris didn't respond cause he just didn't know what to say...Speechless...really? This year I was really sickened by what I had made of Christmas in the past...too much about stuff! It was a tough year for me. Just couldn't get into it. But what I did learn...was that really matters....is just the time we spend together. That's the priceless joy that NOTHING can replace. We have the greatest kids, and now they are their own family! Ones that we can be proud of! There is no better gift than that! Thanks for your gifts to us! We love each of you!
We gave Payson a remote control helicopter...something that we should have got for Brandyn too! Was pretty fun flying that thing around the house...even if one of my shepherd's now has a broken foot! We gave Talan a remote control RC car...toy story dude.. you call him and he comes...pretty fun! We gave Preslie a walker...she wants so bad to get up and go with her brothers...something to put her upward for here. Shawn spent a good 30 minutes or so practicing being a parent one day and put it together for her. It tried his patience, but he won! We gave Kallie a pretend kitchen. She LOVES my pots & pans so we thought this would be fun for her. She covered her mouth and made the "ohhh" sound-it was really cute.
Mick & Brandyn got a card table w/chairs and Brandyn received some snorkeling stuff.
Shawn & Ang are wanting a new mattress, instead they asked for a memory foam mattress and that fit the budget this year. Chris needed some warm work clothes and he was more excited about some insulated bib oversalls than I thought he would be. And a session at indoor soccer.
Tahnie loves jewelry so we got her a cute jewelery lady form that you can hang jewelry on and some necklaces and earrings...all in all I think they were happy. I hope so! We loved sharing and giving! But mostly we loved the time with them...even if it was just a short amount of time. Next year my goal is to have the week after Christmas off...or at least a few days anyway! Sharing our kids with their inlaws is hard. I don't want it to be, it just is. An emotion I have no control over. But I do control how I respond to that emotion (most of the time:)! ) I love the fact that they each have inlaws that love and adore them, I wouldn't want it any other way! So as they spread themselves thin during the holidays to meet with each family....well I have to be okay with that! I'm trying!