Beautiful Bride, Sweet Sylvia!

Almost ten years ago I started working at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a Coordinator of University Activities. I can't believe it has been 10 years! While I was there, I met a sweet, freshman girl named Sylvia from Slovakia. She was working at Taco Bell and had the cutest accent. Her english was outstanding and she became one of the hardest working students I had ever met. She volunteered for everything, studied hard and became a worker at the student union front desk. She also was selected as one of the Chancellor's Ambassadors that hosted numerous dignitaries on campus. She's just the kind of girl that you want as a friend. Kind, funny, and you just want happy things for her. And, happy things have happened. I really wished I could have been there but the good news is she married a guy from Hazard, Nebraska so I will be seeing her in the summer!

The dress was made in Slovakia and is just about the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen.

A jacket was made to go with the dress. Stunning, don't ya think?

New Ideas in 2010

Here are the kiddos on Chirstmas Eve. Lynn and her family was able to come during the snowstorm. It is such a blessing to have them 2 and a half blocks away!

Happy New Year. I love thinking about new things. I've thought about a few. Here they are:

I'm preparing gluten free scalloped potatoes for dinner, so far, not going as well as hoped. Need to experiment more with gluten free cooking in 2010.

Paint more...like having the kitchen done by January 31, dining room done by Febuary 28, bathroom and foyer done by March 31, hallway done by May 31, and the kids rooms finished by August 1. I better get busy. I can see how it all will look when it is done, so now I just need to get it done!

Thinking about yoga. I had lunch with a great friend who is actually taller than she was in high school. She said that yoga has stretched her spine. This is a great new thing for me to think about. My shoulders could use some good stretching.

Thinking about bootcamp. Need to find out more but the thought of getting in shape is drawing me to it.

Thinking I may need to be disciplined to blog once a week. Everyday is too much for this girl. The 3 and 4 year olds in the house are much too important. So, if I can at least blog once a week, I'll feel good if I blog more than that.

Beth Moore's Esther study starts soon with all the girls. I can't wait. You can find out more about this here. Watch the trailer...it only takes 48 seconds. She has to be my favorite teacher of all time.

How about you? What are your new ideas in 2010?

Christmas Cuties

Bennett had his first preschool Christmas program last week.

Here they are before the program:

I was hoping to have pictures of Bennett in his little lamb outfit but my camera wouldn't cooperate with the lighting.

Bennett's listening to his teacher read a story. Notice his tie with trains on it. He was so thrilled to wear it.

Here are Kitt and Beatrice in their matching dresses from Grandma.

I told the kids to snuggle in, so cute!

Hat Class

Last week I held a free class to show my friends from my Bible study how to make a hat and scarf from a sweater.

Here' what Ashley made for here little girl, Kenzie. Isn't it cute? I can't wait to see the embellishments.

Mandy came up with this darling idea of a big flower.

Karen came up with this in a matter of minutes!

This was so exciting for me. I love having friends over and showing them how to create new things. I hope to do it again soon!

MERRY and Bright!

Oh my goodness...let it snow, let it snow! We are keeping warm around here. The snow is coming down at record speed. I'm baking gluten free brownies for Trent, decorating the house with MERRY and bright, and preparing gifts for Christmas. I think we'll have another snow day tomorrow but I sense the cabin fever may be setting in....

Christmas sweaters and Bridget

For those who have read the book or seen the movie, you may be smiling right now. My great friend Megan might be laughing. Me too. She's the best kind of friend one could have, she totally gets it. She's also a great friend for sitting with me at a show for hours on Saturday.

We had a wonderful time trying to figure out how to teach people to 'get it'...not sure we came up with anything but we did happen to see a few of those razzle dazzle Christmas sweaters! I'm still laughing.

She took these fabulous pictures of me with my stuff.

One question Megan thought I might ask my readers is, what do you like from Back At Ya Babe? I'd love your in put if you have a moment.

Here's my latest creation...it's not really a scarf but it's not a dicky....not sure what to call it. Megan's calling it a swarf! I made it out of a sweater. It's fun to wear and it keeps me warm. My sweater to hat class from Silver Bella was my inspiration for it.

THANKS MEGAN! I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY!

December 1 through Christmas

is the longest time of year!

December is a month full of love and time with family. For us, it kicks off with my dad's birthday. I'm a lucky girl to have such a wonderful dad. Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow is sweet Betty's birthday. I can't believe she will be six.

Trent's birthday is the 16th. More parties, more fun for the month of December!

It also begins counting down to Christmas and advent times at night. We love eating a piece of candy on this candy streamer until we reach the bell. My mom made one for me when I was little and when I was in college, I actually asked her to bring it to me!

We also love the license plate numbers to add to our garland.

Happy December and Happy Counting!