Jakob has been telling us for months that he didn't want to wrestle this year, but as the season approached he changed his mind. This will be Jakob's 4th year wrestling, he started just after he turned five. Jakob didn't go to tournaments that first year, his 2nd year, he medaled in all but one tournament and last year well, that is a whole other story . . . he wrestled in the 7-8 year old bracket, with him only being seven meant he would have to wrestle the older kids. And there was something about Jakob seeing that "8" on the back of their hand that totally freaked him out! At one tournament we were called to the announcers table because Jakob had decided to forfeit his match! WHAT??? I didn't even know he knew what that word meant . . . we talked him into finishing, but the match only lasted a couple minutes if that, Jakob let the other kid pin him just so that it would all be over . . . FAST! I never knew what kind of a mental sport wrestling truly was . . . I played soccer most of my life! Here's a shadow box I made to display the medal that he won last year . . .

yesterday . . . ALL DAY LONG!!! We haven't had snow like this in about seven years! I'll bet we got close to 10" of snow with at least a 1/4" layer of solid ice underneath it! The kids didn't have school today, not because of the weather, but because it was Semester Day . . . all schools within a 60 mile radius were closed though. Jakob couldn't wait for Joe to get home from work this afternoon, he promised him they would go sledding. He had a blast, Kaitie not so much . . . she's not much of a adventurer! The picture shows she's enjoying herself despite what she'll say.




School has already been delayed at least 2-hours for tomorrow . . . another storm is blowin' in! I wonder what we'll wake up too in the morning???

I see people being tagged on their blogs all the time, but this is my very first! Thanks Deb! Ok, this is called the middle name game. Here are the rules:

1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details).

Here are my answers:
My middle name is Garzon

G - Gentle Heart, at least that's what my MIL told me recently
A - Assertive
R - Reliable
Z - Zealous
O - Ornery
N - Notorious

I'm going to tag Mom, Mona, Cheri, Tricia, Kim and Tabby. Have fun!!!

Our family photo in front of my parent's Christmas tree . . . you wouldn't believe what it took to get this picture!!! I had this photo printed in sepia, it went perfectly with the vintage prints of this MM line.

I can't stop making Christmas cards . . . nothing like getting a jump start on this year, huh? I just can't get enough of this MM Christmas line, I made a couple of projects as Christmas gifts and then started using up the scraps and created these . . .






I made this frame for my MIL's Christmas gift, it's actually still sitting right here in my living room. She's been stranded in Wisconsin since just before Christmas. Made it there safely through a blizzard, then her BIL wrecked her jeep and it's been one thing after another to get it repaired. She finally got it back today and headed home to Iowa. I look at the pictures of Joe (Joe's Dad) and Kaitie on her first Christmas back in 1995 . . . I can remember like it was yesterday him giving her that Baby Beans Doll. He gave Danniel (Joe's sister) one when she was little and would say that every little girl needed to have a "Baby Beans"! Kaitie still has that doll, I don't think she'll ever get rid of it. Then the picture of him and Jakob, this was actually the first and last Christmas (2005) Jakob ever got to spend with him. When I stumbled upon this poem I knew instantly that I wanted to use it on something for her . . .

“My First Christmas In Heaven”

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
with tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear,
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!
I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it’s beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, loved ones, you know I hold you dear,
And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!
I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, Love is a gift, more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other as our Father said to do.
For I can’t count the blessings or love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,
Remember . . . I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year!

Written by Wanda Bencke

And here's a super quick gift idea . . . yummy too!

With the new year finally here, I know everybody likes to make New Year's Resolutions. I saw it at the gym on New Year's day, plenty of new faces with all the same goals . . . I'm going to lose all this unwanted weight! Well, this year is "My Year"! I am going to eat better, exercise harder and as you can see I am going into 2008 with a new look! Yesterday I decided to cut off my hair, this morning I came home with a new style about 8 inches shorter. I'm sure everyone gets into a rut sometimes, it's that simple change that can make all the difference. I've made goals for this year and I'm going to stick to them. No matter how hard it may seem at times and how trying I'm sure it's going to get I know they are obtainable if I set my mind to it. These are my motivations to get me through the year . . .