Thursday, January 5, 2012

I'm Still Here! :)

For those of you still stopping by here for a visit, thank you! I know I’ve neglected my blog. Since returning from our trip to Alabama right after Christmas, Jason, the kids, and I have been sick. Jason and I are still battling it. You know the crud that just drains you of all energy? It’s that crud. Reality is that all my Christmas décor is still up. We did resume school Tuesday but it was a tough day getting back in the routine, especially dragging like I am. My voice is practically gone so it was interesting doing read-alouds (which is a big portion of our schooling and my favorite part). Joy took over with the read-alouds when my voice could take no more. I totally missed my Faithful Friday post as well. This wasn’t exactly the way I planned to begin 2012….

But……..

In spite of it all, I have so much for which to be thankful and I am! And as always after Christmas, I have family photos to share!








There's a weird shadow between us but there were few pics of just the two of us so I included it here anyway.












Colt & Amber




















And Christmas morning...



Oh, and Jason surprised Joy and me with an iPad (and cover) to share between us.  :) Now my mom has always wrapped Jason's gifts to us, but since she was out of town when he came home with this, it was left up to him. We were teasing him about his wrapping skills. Well he had to go and show off.... :)  And he did it all with tissue paper!



I’m not the type to make “resolutions” for the New Year. However, Joy and I were reflecting over this past year and there were several goals last year that came to pass and it’s always good to see that happen. For me, a few of those were:

Become more active in visiting our friends at the nursing home.
Make the trip to KY to visit the Creation Museum.
Complete the Cedar Loft (that was a biggie - and we did it in 4 months).
Reunite with our friends, Kim and Chuck, from China.
Blog more.

And as I think about 2012, there are a few things that come to mind that I’d like to accomplish this year:

Learn to knit. (I can crochet so I'm hoping it won't be that hard).
Learn to sew. (Joy is getting a sewing machine for her birthday....).
Save more money.
Build, exercise, and share my faith. Share Jesus.
Take a trip to New England. (I would be thrilled if this happens).
Be consistent in visitng our friends at the nursing home.
Perform more random acts of kindness.

On a friend’s blog, she challenged her readers to think of one word that we would like to take with us into 2012. The first word that came into my mind was compassion. However, as I read on, every word mentioned in comments was wonderful: self-control, surrender, peace, contentment, release......

So what about you? Did you accomplish something for which you’re really proud of last year? Do you have anything in particular that you hope to accomplish this year? Or do you have that one word you would like to take with you, as Tiffany suggested, into 2012?

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and made lots of wonderful memories with your family and I wish you all a Happy, Prosperous and Blessed New Year! Thanks for stopping by for a visit and for sticking with me during my absence from blogland. :)

14 comments:

Sharon said...

Tammy, I sure do like the family photos and having you share them with us.
I hope that the crud will be gone from your house soon. It has hit my hubs and #1 son so far.
Like every year I have wanted to lose some weight and this year I did lose a few pounds so I will continue into the new year.
I also want to strengthen my faith in the new year.
Hugs

Bittersweet and Ivy said...

Tammy, you have a lovely family! You are right, you have so much to be thankful for! I love your list of goals... you won't have any trouble learning to knit and sew, and I grew up in New England (Massachusetts) and love it there... and I sure hope you get to visit! Also, you are already such a wonderful follower of Jesus, and you do a fabulous job of spreading His word.

Hope your family is feeling better.
Happy New Year.
Hugs, Laura

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

well I hope you are feeling better everyday..amazing how much an illness can zap our energy..I love the photos..and I must say Joy has changed so much..she is a young lady..and I loved Jasons wrap job..I hate wrapping and he did an excellent job..I know where to send my packages for that special touch..have a wonderful rest of your week and to a speedy recovery.;) also love your new loft..it is awesome..I would never leave.;)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful family Tammy! Sorry you aren't feeling well, hope that nasty passes soon. I like your goals also! Hope you have a great day! Hugs, Loretta

Patty Sumner said...

What a beautiful family!!!!!
You are truly blessed. There were so many things I did not accomplish. It seem we were so busy with our move and new jobs. I am praying that I will make good use of my time this year and Live loudly and proudly for our Lord! Blessings! Ipad-WOW-great gift.

Lois Christensen said...

Those are beautiful pictures of your family! Sorry you've all been so sick. My son, Michael,came down with the flu last week and had to miss a youth retreat. The one thing I accomplished in the past few months was to really slow down and enjoy life. And I feel so happy that I'm doing this. Hope you feel better!!!

Jen said...

You have a beautiful family, and they look sooo happy! Especially the little guy, love his smile!

Susannah said...

Wonderful post, Tammy. Great family pictures! Do you put them in a book every year at Christmas time?

My goal for this year is to have better health. I took a fall last July 4 at our daughter and SIL cottage and i am still recuperating from it...before that I had two different surgeries. I love to help other people but before I can get back into helping..I need to get better myself.

I love Joy's hair and Jason is a super wrapper!!!!!!!!

Wishing you and your family a blessed New Year!

Susannah

Never So Simple said...

Tammy I hope you all feel better real soon. The holidays were hard for me as well but in a different way. I love all the family pictures. I haven't taken any pictures since Christmas 2010. As always your home is beautiful and thanks again for getting me on pintrest I'm addicted.

Donna

Tanya said...

Hello sweet friend,
I was just thinking today at school that tonight I would email you and check on you! And low and behold here you are tonight! I'm so tickled you are back and okay! Very sorry to hear you ALL were/are sick. UGHHHH....no fun! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful family and pics with us. They were great! Mr. Jason can probably go to work for Macys, Dillards, or Nordstroms! Great job! You are so lucky to get an IPad...I'm saving up my extra duty pays for a tablet of some kind! Do you love it?
Talk to you soon,
Happy New Year....I'm in the process of putting some "things", not necessarily resolutions on paper to focus on!
Hugs,
Tanya

Simply Shelley said...

I am catching up on your blog...the pictures are all so wonderful...you have a beautiful family...and your home is beautiful as well...the decorations are just awesome. I am sorry you haven't been well...I pray you are all better very soon....blessings

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

What a Beautiful family you have!
Love the photos.
Sorry you and your family haven't been feeling well. Seems like alot of that is going around in Blogland. I hope I don't get it. Sounds awful. I work at a nursing home as a caregiver, so my immune system is pretty good from being around the elderly when they are sick. It seems to bounce right off me, Lol! Hope your feeling better soon! Take Care!

Farming On Faith said...

So enjoyed seeing all your pictures.

Praying you all feel better. It is much the same at our home~ viral Bronchitis!

Elle Bee said...

Loved all the photos!!! You are such a beautiful family! Your children just light up the room!! Going to the Creation Museum is one of my goals for my life! I hope to make it there some day. :o)