YUM

Baking bread is like a therapy session for me. After several days of Texas style winter and kids at home being bored, I found the need to bake some bread. I wish you could smell the mix of cinnamon and raisins coming from the oven. Now, I can't wait 'til everyone gathers round the dinner table for bread breaking and conversation. Mission accomplished. I feel much better now!

Missing You

So a few weeks ago, our dear friends, the Hamiltons, called to see if we could meet them at the DFW airport for their layover later in January. They didn't even have to tell us when, we jumped at the chance to see them again. It was so fun to see them and spend a few hours together. The kids all enjoyed seeing Emily and Andrew as well. We were all sad when their layover came to an end. We were sure hoping they could get bumped from their flight so they could stay a little longer. There were many tears as we headed home. This short little visit sure made me miss my Michigan friends. So, I just wanted y'all to know that I think of you often. If you are ever down this way, call. We would jump at the chance to see you!

WHITNEY AND EMILY



AUDREY AND ANDREW


VIVIAN, CORINNE, MINDY, & ALETA


THE MARX FAMILY


THE CLOUGH FAMILY


THE MALONE FAMILY


MADDIE AND LINDSAY - MISSING ALL THE KESLER CLAN


MARISSA & WHITNEY - MISSING ALL THE HARKERS, TOO


ELISE AND AUDREY


MIA & WHITNEY - WE MISS ALL THE KHAN'S


So many more of you come to mind as well. Lucky for you, I don't have pictures. I hope these thoughts will send a little warmth and sunshine to you in this cold and snowy January!

Resolutions?

I say who needs 'em. I am so busy just doing things everyday, that I can't imagine putting that kind of pressure on myself. However, I always make my New Year's Resolutions. One of mine this year is to spend more time with family! And, boy, that has gotten off to a good start so far. Jenn's sister and family welcomed their long awaited baby boy, Robert Moorman Klingler, on Jan. 9th. We are so grateful she made it to 36 weeks. It was really touch and go for a while. He is back in the NICU, and so we are all praying for them once again. We are so happy to have a new little member of the family. We also got to get in a visit with Kevin's aunt and uncle as they were heading back to Sunny California after finishing their Church mission in North Carolina. It was so fun to have them with us for a few days. It was also a great reason to get the Krueger cousins over our way for a day as well. The kids all love getting together, and are always sad when these get togethers come to an end. We just need to start planning the next "cousin swap." Kevin and Brandon spent a lot of time together as they built the last Pinewood Derby car for this cub scout! Daddy and the girls even made a pink "E-Racer" for them to race as well. They were so excited to watch their little pink car race against all those boy cars! And last, but not least, Whitney got her braces on. We have spent a lot of together time just trying to make her smile. We want to get a picture, but she hasn't let us yet. We'll just have to trick her into it! Hope you are all having a wonderful start to the New Year. As always, reach for the moon. You may not get there. In trying, though, you will land among the stars! If I keep up this pace, I will definately reach my goal of spending more time with family!

Scary Stories

While America Aged: How Pension Debts Ruined General Motors, Stopped the NYC Subways, Bankrupted San Diego, and Loom as the Next Financial Crisis by Roger Lowenstein

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started to read this book because of its dive into GM having recently left Michigan and all the turmoil going on there. I am amazed at how every facet of public life: companies, cities, counties, and countries so quickly and easliy sell our children's futures by getting into bed with unions and their greediness. I wish everyone could live by the standard that you should earn your keep and be worth what you earn. Seems like so many people want to get paid more and do less. It doesn't matter if that pay comes in the form of a check or in the form of benefits; it is still money out of the coffer. The social security system is headed for the same future, so we should all be ready with our own personal plans for retirement. We cannot rely on government or companies to provide for us in the future. There won't be anything left.


View all my reviews.

Out of the mouths of babes:

Maddie's recent quotes:

"FAN-TAS-TIC!" - on the 330 test drive

"Daddy, I think we are the two strongest people in the family." - after she helped put some 'big' toys away

"It happens."(said with a shrug of the shoulders) - Her reply when I asked if the kitty was wet because she put it in the bath with her. I couldn't be angry because it was too darn cute.

I am sure there are more of these that I cant' think of right now. It is so fun to watch her personality grow and see her sense of humor more often. I love hearing her stories and her experiences. She has so much to share!

Our 12 days of Christmas

12 "socks in a box" donated to local hospitals



11 days of school break


10 carols sung - We went to a nursing home to sing and play Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon before Christmas Day!



9 packages received - thanks to Mom and Dad Beech for secretly sending Kevin's old RISK game for a surprise gift!


8 Christmas parties attended: 3 school, audrey to a friend's, 1 at our house, 2 for church, and a piano performance at Dillard's


7 days spent with family: the girls spent a few days at Kevin's cousin's home, dinner out with jenn's sister, and 3 days with grandma and grandpa moorman for christmas. sorry, looks like we didn't get pics of these, so in honor of jenn's family name the photo below was taken at six flags during the break.


6 games playd: mario kart, cooking mama, settlers, seafarers, disney princesses for the wii, and apples to apples


5 staycation activities: science museum, six flags, day at the movies, scout campout, house hunting


4 new wheels: kevin reluctantly sold his srt-4 and excitedly bought a bmw 330i
hopefully, we'll get it today, so no pics yet!


3 letters to santa - whitney opted out this year (they grow up too fast, don't they)


2 science fair projects almost completed: one about soil pollution and the other about popcorn!


1 perfect christmas day