January 14

School started today.

It was a good first day.

The first day of school is always good.

January 13

In CE this morning we started a new John Piper series "The Blazing Center".

It's excellent, very rich and solid teaching.

I also got my car from the mechanic today, finally!

January 12

Lanny and Julia came over tonight...
it was good to catch up and hang out before going back to school.

January 11

Ange, Mom and myself attempted to go see "PS I love you" tonight, but it was sold out.

So we rented "The Nanny Diaries" which was a typical chick flick.

and then Dad and I watched "3:10 to Yuma" which was better than a typical western. I didn't know anything about it and was pleasantly surprised.

I leave the country a month from today!

January 10

Went to Gram and Grandpa's this evening, mostly to say happy birthday to Gram.

Aunt Marge was also in town visiting, it was good to see her again.

Grandpa is very frail, can't get out of bed, and is hardly eating.

I went in his room to visit and tell him I love him.

It was strange seeing him in this setting, and in such a weak physical state. But then when he spoke it was so nice to hear that old familiar comforting voice that I love so dearly.

I felt kind of weird taking pictures of him sleeping, but part of me really wanted to remember tonight.

Uncle Jerry and me are also going to put an album together of his beer stein collection, which will be a real fun project. I'm excited.

January 9

I am listening to a song that we did an Irish dance to at JAF for the talent show night...

it pumps me up like nothing else and also makes me oh so homesick for JAF.

I obviously didn't take these...
but they are some of my very favorites from last year
(with the exception of the first one...that's of James and Ike at retreat 2 years ago)

It is comforting to look at pictures when i begin to get real homesick for JAF.

Just a few more months!

January 8

Went to work today...and other than that just kind of dawdled.

I have been way into Sonny and Cher lately.

I am falling asleep listening to Dean right now though.

His voice is my very favorite voice in the world, singing voice that is.

Normal talking voices would be: My Father, John Sizer, Gregory Peck, Gary Stretar, Grandpa, Uncle John, Pastor Fred, and Judy Paradise. (not in any particular order)

January 7

(Sister's, by Mom)
(Girls, by Mom)

Woke up early this morning to go visit Grandad's sister, Marie, in Columbus.

All us girls went which was real fun.

We had lunch at her retirement home and she showed us all around.

The weather is so great, it's January and in the 60's!! I couldn't be in a bad
mood even if I wanted to be.

January 6

(Keeper, by Stopher Soja)
(Stopher...stolen from TJ)
Church today was real good.

Since we have finished the DVD series on the marks of a cult, Mr Chochola asked us what we would like to go over next. I am trying to think of what would be good. I feel like we have covered so much the past year, which makes it hard to decide.

We are still going through the book of Luke in the morning worship service.

Pastor Fred will go through the same book of the Bible for so long. He only goes over little amounts at a time, and gives such an excellent, good understanding of those bits.

Today was Luke 3:1-14, "the fruits of repentance"...he is so wise, it never ceases to amaze me.

After morning service we had community Sunday, and then a time of prayer for the church in Kenya following the meal. and I also spoke some on the Wheels for the World ministry.

Amy and Al went out, and then we all went to the soccer game.

I love going to games and seeing everyone, it brings back a slight hint of TN.

Some of the guys ate (and then spit out) chili powder covered prunes or something...they smelled real bad.

Then we went to chipotle and Alan's.

It was a real good time.

January 5

We celebrated Joe's birthday today.

Dad made chicken sandwiches...what Joe has chosen as his birthday meal ever since he could talk. (along with barbeque chips and Mom's broccoli salad.)

Ange's belly is really showing!! I am so excited!

And I am not allowed to have sugar any more.

January 4

Mom and Dad went away tonight to celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary. Oh how I've been blessed to have parents who are still so in love.

Rache, myself and the Eliason gals hung out for the evening at crocker park, Rachel's house, and our own house.

We finished watching "the great race" which is a complete riot!

We also watched "Horton hears a who" (the original old one on VHS, not to be confused with the one that will soon be coming to theaters.)

Then Amy and I watched "Once" I fell asleep, appreciated the music, and wasn't blown away.

January 3

I had a nice time with Ginny at work today.

Her breathing was worse than usual so I made her some tea and made her "bed" so that she would rest.

Then we visited for more time than we normally do, she said she would rather have me visit than work because it gets so damn lonesome.

Later in the evening we went to the nursing home to celebrate Granddad's 80th birthday!

It was a lot of fun...it is awfully cute when he laughs out of the blue or suddenly says something, it's like everything suddenly connects and he is back again for a few seconds.

We had some fellow residents at the nursing home hang around the whole time, mostly watching Maggie and being greatly amused by her smallest gestures.

I love it there.

January 2

Today I got sick, so I didn't go to work.

and it was also Alan's 18th birthday!

Amy and I watched "little women". I love that movie. The music alone makes me cry.

We were pointing out how similar each of the sisters were to us girls.

We concluded that Alan is the Lorie in our lives.

January 1

Today was Amy's 15th birthday!

And Julie called sharing with us the exciting news of her engagement!!