Merry Christmas...

I love this time of year when we have the opportunity to reflect upon past Christmas memories and to remember just how blessed we are! This always takes place when we decorate the tree as a family...let me share with you a few of my favorite ornaments... DeAnn gave me this homemade "I love you" ornament when I was in high school and I have cherished it ever since...the boys have known to be very careful with this one at a very young age!! All together now....awwwww! Here is Dillon's first Christmas photo...what a chunk! And look at his puffy eyes! Derek was working horrible hours at the East L.A. station and we celebrated at the crack of dawn....seems like yesterday!

Derek's mom gave him this ornament his first year as a Deputy...I've always loved it and it reminds me of God's goodness and provision in Derek's life (and ultimately mine)...

This ornament was given to us our first Christmas as a married couple...sweet!

Okay, let me just say that my favorite of all favorite ornaments are those with pictures of the boys!! And let me be put on the record to say that when I am a teacher of my own classroom one day, I will always do photo ornaments of my students! I so appreciate the boys' teachers who took the time and energy to make these lifelong memories for our family! Here is Dillon in the 3rd grade...

And Dalton in the 1st grade...

Last but not least, I wanted to share with you the beautiful tree skirt that my mom made us a few years ago...it will be a family treasure always!!

I hope you all take the time to reflect upon all the past Christmas memories and blessings you have had with your families and above all, to reflect upon the real reason we celebrate Christmas...Jesus!

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Isaiah 9:6 "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

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Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, God with us."

**

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Fulfillment Room...

Here's just a taste of how much jam we have made and are in the process of distributing...welcome to the order fulfillment room! Business has been good and a blessing...I was even able to buy a freezer for all the berries with our proceeds!
I must say, there is just nothing better! ;)

Wordless Wednesday...

A Christmas Puzzle...

Puzzle piece #1... Puzzle piece #2...
Puzzle piece #3...

Put them all together and you get a beautiful Christmas wall hanging especially made by my talented Mom! Thank you Mom for this special addition to our Christmas decor! We, (especially me!) love it!!

Merry Christmas to me...

Since I'm done with school for the quarter {insert happy dance, yahoos, and big smile here!} and I finished with straight A's {insert a repeat of above...} - I decided to do a little something for me! An early Christmas gift if you will... I made myself a holiday tote! And I love love love the name of the charm pack: Figgy Pudding...

The inside has plenty of pockets and I wanted to show you the back too...

I just love my new tote!
It will make Christmas shopping just that more merrier!
:)

Blessings...

On Sunday, Dalton was baptized! We are so thankful and are rejoicing in his decision to follow Christ and to no longer live for himself but for Christ alone!!

Dalton and Pastor Joel - Joel said some encouraging words and thanked the congregation for their impact and ministry to Dalton... :)

Dalton gave his testimony - quoting his favorite scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

I know these pictures are blurry (there is only so much a point and shoot camera can do!) but they captured the moment...

Old creature...

New creature..."Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Dalton and his best friends...his brother :)

Zac...

and Bitsy...

My parents made the trek from Bakersfield which was very special...

Well, who would have guessed that Dalton would be the tallest one in the group!?! {grin}

Please join us in praying for Dalton as he continues growing in his relationship with the Lord.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6

It's been hard but I'm thankful...

It's been a tough 3 weeks: I still miss Karl terribly and have cried everyday - missing all the routines over the past 11 years (greeting me each morning and throughout the day, running to the gate when I got home, and most of all walking each day - I still haven't been able to go by myself...prayer please!) Anyways, I found this picture of him from last Christmas (that I had forgotten about) and I thought it perfectly portrayed his sweet temperament and faithfulness, as he was sitting right there among us on Christmas morning. Such a good Karl boy!

Onto the thankful part...We had two great celebrations this year. On Thanksgiving Day we traveled to Bakersfield and spent the day with my parents and Grandma Nonie. Below is Derek and Dalton installing a new counter top for my Dad in his garage. It looks great and Derek said that was the most fulfilling thing he has done in a while! :)
A family I am so thankful for...

What's Thanksgiving without Smith's cookies?...

There was lots of sleeping going on...

Even Gunner...

And Axel...

Celebration #2 was held at our house with the Kruzner's. Dillon loved giving Ethan and Kaylynn rides around the property on the quad...

Another family I am so thankful for...starting with Kaylynn and going counterclockwise is Ethan, Dalton, Angela, Maxine, Kim & Rich (all the way from Washington - yea!! *we had an extra special visit with them!), Derek, Larry, Dick, Dillon, and Brooke was able to join us too!

Yesterday I had outpatient surgery and my parents sent me the most beautiful flowers...

(I'm healing just fine...thanks for all your prayers!)

So while these past three weeks have been difficult with the various trials of life....I have much to be thankful to the Lord for! He has blessed me with an incredibly loving family and a husband who turns out to be a great nurse!! ;)

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2

Happened Too Fast...

Today was the day...


...a day I never wanted to see happen.


...a day that we had to say good-bye to a best friend and walking partner.


...a day we were able to say thank-you for all the happy times.


...a day we buried our beloved pet and family member.

Karl Oggie VonKruzner

Born: August 1998

Forever in our Hearts: November 11, 2009

My Karl Boy...

It is with tears in my eyes and shakiness of hands that I tell you that my sweet Karl Boy, faithful companion of 11 years, is terribly sick.


Last week he was excessively thirsty and I took him right to the vet to get a blood panel done. It revealed that his liver values were very high and they recommended an ultrasound and x-ray to see what was going on. The tests revealed a large mass that is taking over his liver.


At this point because the mass cannot be removed; we have him on medication and are waiting.


So this is me activating the prayer chain....please pray for our family. As you can imagine this is heartbreaking for all of us. We are taking every opportunity to love on him and make him comfortable but are pained with the decision of how long we wait to see if the medication is helping...we don't want him to suffer any longer than he has to.


We have so many wonderful memories of him and are trying to hold on to those during this time. Like when Karl and I walked Dalton to Kindergarten when he was just a puppy, when Karl howled in celebration of Dillon scoring goals at his soccer games, when Karl took over all care of Maggie's puppies when she rejected them, when Karl played 'get Daddy' every day when Derek got home, there are soooo many more but I can't even see the keyboard right now and my heart is racing so I'm going to stop.


As you know, I love him so very much...we have had such a special bond since he was a puppy and I just want what's best for him. I'm praying that God will heal him but if it's not His will then to prepare us for his death....oh boy, that was hard to type.


Anyway, thank you for loving us and Karl enough to pray for these things.

Fun Mail...

Don't you love getting the mail and there is an unexpected surprise?...not to mention an unexpected package? Well, I love it and my mom made my week this week... :)

Homemade popcorn balls!! This is an annual tradition for my mom and grandma...these popcorn balls are by far the best Octoberie treat ever...yummy!

Look inside the box...isn't is cute how my mom used real popcorn for the packing material?!? We all got a real kick out that, Mom!

Mom, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and sending this most unexpected fun mail! We love you!

Warms my Heart...

One night after the boys got off work, Dalton decided to serenade Dillon while making a PB&J sandwich... Dillon's face says it all...it was hilarious! I wish I could remember all of Dalton's impromptu lyrics, however, I was caught up in the moment of seeing my two boys truly enjoying one another and really being each others best friend.

It's moments like these that warm my heart and I am thankful!

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Psalm 133:1

Wordless Wednesday...

Well okay, maybe a few words...can't wait to have the time on Saturday morning to make a delightful autumn-y breakfast!!

As promised...

Last week Dillon and Brooke blessed us by preparing and cooking homemade pizzas! They made our two favorites: pepperoni and bbq chicken

...mmm mmm good! Ahhh, the finished products...

The pizzas were so good... I think I have decided to always make our own...they really put DiGiornios pizza to shame. It not only was easy and fun but it is less expensive too!
Thanks you two for such a special treat!! :)

No No Bad Dog...

So for weeks I have been telling Dillon that he needs to get Bogey a new tag - since he lost it in one of his digging expeditions I'm sure! But alas, Dillon hadn't got around to it and then it happened...Bogey got out of our adequate enough, more than any beagle needs, 2.5 acre property! Yep, he was exploring around the neighborhood with no tag which is critical in this environment!

Poor Dillon was the only one home when Bogey escaped and he needed to be at work when he called me at class. My class fortunately finished early and I rushed home to help search so Dillon could go to work. Brooke was sweet to come over and help too. After an hour of searching, Bogey was rescued!...get it? -search & rescue, ha! Dillon found him right across the road exploring on the neighbors property...yea! Dillon hurried off to work while Brooke and I came inside and thought of the perfect solution...

Yep, that's duct tape folks! I know it looks a little "white trash" but I'd rather think of it as resourceful... :) The great thing is that it won't come off during digging and it doesn't make any noise when he walks!

So there you have it - a duct tape dog tag complete with name and numbers! :)

Don't let Bogey's sweet innocent face fool you...he really can be a stinker! But, we love him all the same and are happy that he is home safe and sound!