Updates

Well, there are many things to update this fine morning. First I would like to thank God for the beautiful snow which allowed me to have a two hour delay this morning. The timing was perfect, however, my school system's timing was not. I didn't get my call till I was completely ready for school. Gotta hate that! But, I got some things done that needed done and even slept about 45 min. in the recliner. So, not too bad I guess.

Updates on Josh can still be found at http://www.greenhouseministries.org. Prayers are and will continue to be needed as well as financial help. Please visit the greenhouse site if you haven't already. It's pretty amazing to see how God's people are pulling together to meet the needs of Josh and Shelly and their family.

My mom is quite the trooper! She is plugging along in her recovery. She continues to need your prayers as she works through the pain and tries her best to regain the mobility in her knee. I'm not sure she's at a place yet where she thinks this was worth it. :) Hopefully that will come soon.

My excitement over the Colts being in the Superbowl can hardly be contained. I am pumped! We are having Blue Week here at school so I'm wearing my Colts gear everyday. Luckily I have 3 different things, and our art teacher here at school is Tie-dying shirts with the kids who want to for Friday. So, I bought a shirt and she's going to do it for me! I'm so excited! Sunday can't get here quick enough. We always have a Superbowl party as a Sunday School class, but it rarely involves watching the Superbowl. This year will be different!

Lady Wildcats are still on top with a 24-0 record. This season has been incredible and I'm hoping they just keep right on rolling.

I guess the last thing is that I'd like to ask everyone to begin praying now about my job hunt. The postings have started picking up as retirements are being turned in. I haven't found anything close enough yet, but I know there will be openings. Just pray that Lord will direct my path.

Kelley

Prayers Needed...

I feel like this post is a day late and dollar short because most of the world already knows about Josh Buck's accident, but just in case there is even one prayer warrior out there who hasn't heard...

Josh and my brother are brother-in-laws and co-planters of Greenhouse Ministries. Josh and his wife Shelly were on vacation in Cancun, Mexico when Josh had a diving accident. He is now in Miami Florida. The details of this whole situation are incredible as are the miracles that God has already performed in his healing. Just a few min. ago they were taking out the intubation as he is breathing on his own about 7 days earlier than they expected!! He is also complaining of pain in his thumb which to this point had no feeling. Praise God!! Please go to http://www.greenhouseministries.org to witness the details of this amazing story. There are also ways you can leave comments for Josh and Shelly as well as information on how to send a donation. The costs are mounting and they need our help.

Another request: My mom had knee replacement surgery today! She made it through the surgery with flying colors, but she is very sick right now. I'm guessing from the anesthesia. (sp?) She should come home tomorrow. I will be going to Ohio Wed. through sometime this weekend to help her as she adjusts at home. Please keep her in your prayers.

Ladies Poker Night

We had a good turnout Thursday night for our first ever ladies poker night. Since we are all just learning, it was kind of like the blind leading the blind, but it was lots of fun. By the end we were all feeling more confident. A big thanks to Shawn and Jill for loaning us the "official" poker table and chips. That made the experience more fun!

Saturday Morning- What a day today will be! Two huge games! I'm not sure my heart can take it. My insides are nervous!

On a more serious note, I'd like to request prayer for my cousins, John, Tom and Kim. There Dad passed away and this is a very difficult time for them. Puts the importance of things like big games and ladies night into perspective. Nothing is as important as eternity. I love you guys and you have been in my constant thoughts and prayers.

The Thrill of Victory...The Agony of Defeat

Well, what can I say? The agony of defeat was pretty bitter Monday night as my Ohio State Buckeyes got their tails kicked. I could have handled a close, well played game that ended with us on the short end of the stick, but to play so poorly was truely embarrassing. Living in a state other than Ohio made this especially difficult as I had students who had a good time "chomping" at me all day on Tuesday. I'm sure it's even worse for my brother living in Michigan. But, to prove that I'm a true blue fan, I wore my OSU colors proudly on Tuesday and even continued to carry my new Ohio State purse that I got for Christmas. The cool thing about the agony of defeat is that it really doesn't last that long. I'm over it. In the grand scheme of things, it really means very little. I'm not sure about my poor little Elijah though. I talked to Jason today and he said the little guy was pretty distraught by halftime.

Lucky for me, I have several teams that I'm rooting for these days who are experiencing the thrill of victory. The #1 IWU Lady Kats are undeated with an impressive 20-0 record after tonight's solid win over Huntington. Saturday will be a big test as we travel to Ft. Wayne to play the #3 ranked St. Francis. I'm nervous already. That will be a HUGE game. If you live in Marion, you should check out a home game. They really are fun to watch!

I'm also rooting for the Colts. I'll be dressed all in blue tomorrow as my school celebrates blue day. (We don't have students on Friday hence the Thursday celebration) So Sat. will be a really nerve racking day as I will leave the IWU game to come home to watch the Colts take on the Baltimore Ravens.

It seems lately that life is one big game! Go Kats! Go Colts! (Love ya anyways, Bucks!)

Change...

Change is a funny thing. It sometimes comes so quickly, it takes your breath away; yet sometimes it's so slow, you don't even realize it's happening. Some people hate change while others crave it.

Here it is January 1, 2007. I thought it only appropriate to post on the first day of the year. I thought I'd write about resolutions and how I don't think I've ever kept one, so I don't bother to make them anymore, but then I changed my mind. As I pulled up my blog, I noticed to the side that I started this blog last January. On the 16th, I will experience my 1 year blog anniversary. I posted 88 times this year. Besides scrapbooking, this is the one thing that I have really stayed with and still enjoy. I thought I would take a trip back in time before I did my post to see what was going on last year at this time. This is when I realized how much has changed. My Dad often asks me, "What's new?" And I feel like I have absolutely nothing exciting to share. Nothing ever changes. My life is on auto pilot and it's the same old thing every day. Well, reading my blogs made me realize that isn't true.

Last year at this time, I was probably a good candidate for therapy. Maybe some of you didn't realize it because I coated it in humor, but I was stressed out and miserable. I was up to my eyeballs in my internship, I hated everything about school with not a positive word to be spoken by me about my kids, I was struggling to lose weight for a wedding that I just new I was going to look ridiculous in. I felt like I was drowing in credit card debt and barely making the bills except for frequent help from my parents. I thought my life was going to end if I didn't find a principal's position, and I was scared to death I wasn't going to pass my licensure exam.

Deb was merely a stalker. Carolyn, Kim and John were just commenters, and Anonymous thought blogs were stupid and she didn't have the time.

So, what's new? Well, I am happy and rarely stressed. I didn't find a principal's job, but my life didn't end. As a matter of fact, I am enjoying one of my best school years ever. I love my kids and some days think if it was always this good, why would I want to be a principal? Money? Oh, yeah, that's why. I'm still in debt, but I'm making headway. I got rid of my expensive car and lowered my payment, insurance, gas etc. So, things are less strapped. The wedding was wonderful and despite the fact that I didn't lose the weight I wanted, I love the pictures and think I looked just fine in my dress.

Deb, Carolyn, Kim, John and Anonymous are all now bloggers that I enjoy visiting with weekly via blogland.

Life is good. At this point in 2007, it's better than it was in 2006 and I'm sure it's only going to get even better. We are halfway through the school year, which is amazing to me! Jobs are starting to be posted for next year, so I am starting to gear up for another roller coaster ride. Coming off of a big holiday season, I also realize just how blessed I am to have my family. I hope I never take them for granted.

So, what has stayed the same? Alot. I'm still batteling my weight, I'm still a TV junkie ( American Idol starts in January!!!) , I still LOVE my house, I still enjoy blogging, I still have great friends, IWU women's basketball is still awesome, and My niece and nephews are still the cutest on the planet!

I'm looking forward to 2007! It could be a year of big change, but I'm not afraid. Change is good.

My Many Christmases

Let's start at the very begining. Friday, Dec.22nd we had the Grate Christmas at Dayspring Wesleyan Church. Many gathered for good food and fellowship with family. It was a special evening. Grandma was a little confused about who some of us were, but she was in high spirits.

This is Sam and Emmy having a good time being silly.















Below is Kelley and Andrea. Who knew we looked so much alike?















Everyone took this opportunity to get a special picture with Grandma. This is one of my favorites.














Grandma with her 6 children from left to right: Marla, Margo, Brenda, Sis, Marion, and Keever.














These are Margo's 5 daughters and Becky who belongs to Marla. Aren't cousins fun?

Dad took this opportunity to get a special picture with his Mom. I love this one!









Cousin Scott read the Christmas story and did the devotional this year. It was special as always.















Christmas with Jason and Holly and the kids took place on Sat. morning. What a blast we had. The kids were hillarious as they loved each present with such drama. J and Holly were fun too! :) Here you have Jason and Zeke with their new looks.















Elijah LOVED his official Troy Smith jersey!

While Emmy Rae got a new OSU shirt and buckeye necklace. Zeke got an OSU jogging suit so now everyone's ready to go for the big game on the 8th! GO BUCKS!

Next came the Walsh Christmas on Christmas Eve. Everyone had a good time eating and opening presents. I had Aunt Linda's name this year and she loved her Santa decoration. Mom will kill me for posting this picture, but it's too fun not to post. Sorry Mom! She got her brother a Nascar hat, but she's as much a fan as he is, so she tried it on and was being silly. I caught her in the act.








Grandpa Walsh got himself a new coat. He looks pretty happy with this gift.

A traditional family picture!
















Christmas morning was enjoyed in it's customary way. We jumped on Mom and Dad's bed about 6:30 which was a little later than normal. They had already been up and were just waiting for us. Jon did join us for the customary wake up call which got some chuckles. Here you have Andrea and I in our Christmas PJ's.















Andrea got Jon a new coat.




















Mom loved her Christmas purse from Andrea.
















Looks like it was the season for coats. Andrea and I went together to get Dad a new coat too.



Christmas Day was also a sad day because Grandma Grate fell and sprained her wrist and fractured her pelvic bone. She's back in the hospital with another 4-6 weeks in a rehabilitation facility. This made for an unusual Christmas day as it was just mom and I for most of the day. We did have a nice visit with Carolyn for a few hours which made the afternoon fun. Well, as I sit here typing this, I'm thinking about all the decorations I need to take down and the outside lights. It's fairly warm and sunny today, so should I get out there and do it? I sure don't want to. I love putting it all up, but I sure hate taking it down. Well, guess I better get to it. I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, blessed holiday season like I did!

Christmas pics of kids

I have to add some more pics of more recent Christmases with the kids. The post was mostly old pics so no kiddie pictures were included. But these are too cute to not post.

Elijah instructs me as I play his new gameboy.
Love this crazy grin.
Is it time to open presents yet?
What a sweetheart!

Christmas Traditions and Memories

What is it about this time of year that turns us all nostalgic? I am so sappy at Christmas time. I have a special Christmas album with all my Christmas pictures from years past. Every year, I love to pull it out and remember my favorite traditions and memories of the season.

The season officially begins on Thanksgiving evening when we decorate mom and dad’s house for Christmas. This process gets longer each year as mom seems to add trees and decorations galore. It sure is beautiful when it’s finished though. Andrea and I both cherish this time. Jason always found a place to hide or somewhere to go. This was not his favorite part of the season. We listen to all our favorite Christmas music and sing along while we spend hours putting lights on the tree. Mom likes them woven clear into the middle of the tree so it glows all the way through. This is not a fast process, but once you’ve done it this way, you can’t return to just going around the outside. I think the most memorable decorating was the year that we had some little nesters in our decorations. There were not one but two mice in the box. There were shrieks as well as me hurdling the coffee table to jump on the couch. Dad and Jason chased them around the house, killing one, but losing the other under the basement door. Now the little mouse was injured but not dead. I found him the next day while doing laundry. Mom thought there was a mountain lion chasing me out of the basement as I ran from the tiny, injured mouse that was running the opposite direction. This has been a fun memory to revisit through the years.

It was always Andrea's job to do the greenery above the window. She wasn't always happy about this, but she did such a nice job.

Dad helps keep the lights straight.

Andrea and I doing our favorite job.

The Grate clan has always had a huge Christmas each year. When the family was smaller we were at Grandma and Grandpa’s but that time passed about 30 people ago. We now have to rent the family center at Dayspring. This has always been a special Christmas to me. It has never been about presents. Every year Dad or Aunt Marla would read the Christmas story and do a short devotional before we began opening presents. We would sing a few carols and then everyone would go around and give hugs and kisses and Merry Christmases! There was always lots of laugher and tears shed during this time. Through the years, some of us grandkids have taken over those responsibilities. Jason does the story and devotion of the years that he’s there. I’ve even done a year or two. Of course, my year I took us in a different direction and read a beautiful children’s book about the birth of the baby Jesus. We have lots of little kids now that squirm through that time so I thought this might be nice. All the kids get up and say their Christmas pieces or sing/play a special song. The Grate’s have always been musical and that hasn’t changed with the new generations. One year, Grandma stood up and shared how she picked each of her children’s names. That was really interesting and special. That was Grandpa’s last Christmas with us. I remember it so vividly. He felt good that night and had a good time. His own recliner was brought to the family center so he would be comfortable. We all knew, he wouldn’t make it to another Christmas which made it a night of mixed emotions. I got lots of pictures and have very special memories of that Christmas. I also have to add here as I’m re-reading this entry that one favorite memory I have of Christmas at G&G Grate’s was the bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Grandma always took Christmas bulbs and hung them with thread from the ceiling in the living room. It was the coolest thing. All of us grandkids loved it!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Andrea and I with Grandma and Grandpa Grate. Their fun personalities really shine through in this picture.

Jason and Cousin Kyle share a laugh as Jason prepares to get spiritual.

Lovebirds!

Aunt Marla shares the Christmas story.

The Walsh (my mom’s side) Christmas takes place on Christmas Eve. We go to Grandma and Grandpa Walsh’s house for dinner and presents. This has always been a fun night. Andrea, Jason and I are the only grandchildren so we were a little bit spoiled. We always sat in the living room to eat while the adults sat in the kitchen. We were always impatient to get started with the presents and I think the adults sat extra long just to torture us. Uncle Ed always plays Santa handing out all the presents. Again, there is always lots of love and laughter. On our way home, we always drive around and look at Christmas lights. This is one of my favorite traditions. We have a few neighborhoods that go all out, so it’s fun to drive through and see what new things they’ve added each year. It was always hard to come home and go to bed. I was on gift overload and I knew the best was yet to come.

I love this picture (except for Jason's closed eyes) because Grandma and Grandpa Walsh are genuinely happy to be taking the picture. They don't really like taking pictures and it's sometimes a chore to get Grandma to cooperate. This was a good one.

This is a little more recent and a little more accurate. ;)

Long, Long ago.

Let’s just say, my Mom has some spending issues. But, Christmas is not the time of year that you complain about something like that. Christmas morning was incredible! I’m not sure how much my Dad enjoyed it as he was probably mentally calculating how much overtime he needed to work at GM to cover the cost, but for us kids, it was awesome! It still is! She hasn’t slowed down one bit as we’ve gotten older. I feel very greedy, but I just have to say I love it! Sorry Dad, better build another house! When we were kids, they always put a gift unwrapped in front of the tree from Santa. That was always exciting to see what he brought us. Andrea and I would get Jason up and then go jump on mom and dad’s bed. Of course, they never got up fast enough to please us. And then they thought they needed to brush their teeth and comb their hair. We would be waiting at the top of the stairs ready to race down, but Dad would take his sweet time. It was pure torture. Then finally, he’d say, “I’d better go first to make sure Santa came.” We’d race down the stairs and the fun would begin. I remember many Christmases but the most vivid is the one where I got really sick with Pneumonia and had to go in the hospital on Christmas day and the one where I got all my clowns. That was an awesome Christmas. Want to know what we did last year? Jason and Holly were home for Christmas, but their kids don’t get up early yet. Well Andrea and I are still all about the early. So, Andrea got me up and we went in and jumped on the bed to wake mom and dad up. We decided to open one present each while we waited for the late sleepers to get up. Holly came in and busted us! We felt bad, but Andrea and I just wanted that early morning magic. That’s part of the fun for us. I’m wondering how this year will work with the new hubby? Will Jon jump on mom and dad’s bed too? Ha! That mental picture makes me laugh.

Mom and Jason on Christmas morning.

The 3 of us with many of Andrea's stuffed animals. I don't think Jason and I got those for Christmas.

A special sisterly hug on Christmas morning.

Probably my most special Christmas memories occurred later on Christmas day. We always had visits from Grandparents who would come to see what Santa brought us. G&G Walsh would come for dinner in the afternoon and the G&G Grate would come for leftovers that night. We always played games on Christmas night with G&G Grate. Dominoes were our favorite. They were both ornery little cheaters. We had so much fun laughing at them. Grandpa was a hoot. He had the best sense of humor. I miss him so. It’s just not the same without him. Think they have dominoes in Heaven? I hope so!

A special Christmas day visit with the Joneses and my Grandparents.

One of our famous games of Dominoes. This is probably one of my most favorite memories in the whole world. I love ya Grandpa.

Well, as I sit here on my prep at school with tears streaming down my face, I just want to close by saying that I am so thankful for a family that taught me the true meaning of Christmas and threw in lots of fun and magic to go with it. The memories I have and the many more to be made, will last me a lifetime. I’m also thankful for a savior who came as a tiny baby to save us. All these special memories were made because of a holiday that celebrates his birth. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!

Love,

Kelley

Look Who's 8!

Well, it's official...my little guy's 8 years old. It's hard to believe. Aunt Kelley is feeling really old. The wierd part is to think how fast it has gone and in 8 more, he'll be driving. Scary! We celebrated this occasion at my house on Sat. I had the kids Friday night while Jason and Holly enjoyed Christmas with friends in Ft. Wayne. Sat. Mom and Dad drove over for the day. The only ones missing were Andrea and Jon. They were missed. Elijah asked about 11:00am what time they were getting there. He was a little bummed but got over it when he saw Aunt Andrea sent her present with Grandma. Ha! Aunt Kelley threw Elijah a "Pirates of the Carribean" party since he loves that movie. We all wore our pirate hats to get into the spirit. Elijah and Aunt Kelley in their pirate hats.The big 8 year old!
What a cool cake!
He got all the candles on the first blow.
Excitement!
The Movie! Aauugh!!!

And the winner is....

The winner for this year's Christmas card photo is....

This was my favorite picture as well as many of you. Thank you for your input. Now, to receive this Christmas card, right click on the picture, save picture to your computer photos. Print picture. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Long Awaited Photos

Okay, here they are, the long awaited Christmas card photos. It took me a little longer to get mine ready as I had to take a trip to Marion to get the different trees. Going to my mom's is like going to a Christmas store with many different displays to choose from. I would like to thank my photographers, Mom, Andrea and Sue for making this dream a reality. Please let me know which one you would like to display on your fridge. :) As requested, me and my little Sandy.
Mom's dining room tree.
Glamour shot by mom's living room tree. Wish I could airbrush this like the magazines do.

Santa and I by Mom's bedroom tree.
Cozy by the fireplace pontsettias.

Hiding the parts of myself I don't really like behind the pontsettias.