Enough Already!

It snowed last night. Here's how I feel about it.

Updating Pics, Bit by Bit

It's sunny out, and the snow is melting. I'm not naive enough to think that we're on the doorstep of Spring, but one can only hope. And think of spring-y things.

This photo from last Spring of my girls- smiling and in springtime colors....some of my favorite things!!

She's Here!!

Audrey Cecilia DeJoy

8 lbs 6 oz

born February 13, 2009

Matt's sister Kelly had her baby! I'm pretty sure she was pregnant for as long as an elephant, and was all smiles when we visited her at the hospital. We're so happy mom and baby are both doing well.

Audrey, we welcome you with love, little one!

Quilted with Love

Every year my siblings exchange names for Christmas gift giving.

Marty and Gloria had us this time, and Gloria in the fall collected a bunch of Matt's running shirts and turned them into this! It's gorgeous and professionally done, not to mention that it helped clear out some drawer space (is 134 too many T-shirts to have?? hmmmmm...).

We also received from them a Tye-dying kit, which we will delve into this week as the kids have no school for winter break. If I'm brave. Yep.

So, many thanks to Gloria (for quilting) and Marty (for kid watching so Gloria could quilt)!!

We love it!

A Classic Valentine

Okay, I'm not usually a gushy person. Emotional- yes, gushy- no. I like flowers and chocolate as much as the next girl (okay, red roses- no, white roses or anything else unusual- yes, and Matt can't go wrong with Dove).

What I do like is the escapades of Calvin and Hobbes, so here's what I am sharing today.

Enjoy.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6mtK6XSM6QR1kqOZIxQ4tlSj6tTlSe53NWyHCnZvdG71GcbMHVbcx4Y4ro70Sh4OP7BWdhUUvzc5BNJQdlORhGo-nVrpKfplOhIvA2NJ-Pt1BjnuX4A_AlUeW8LpcvcxXD4i9CvgsKlb/s1600-h/ch921213.gif

Updating Pics, bit by bit

Here's the Riker fam in 1977 on our only Disney trip (I haven't been back since). We drove down, the car broke down along the way somewhere and we were able to stay in a motel because Mom had had enough of the Florida heat (no a/c in the station wagon, of course), but we got to swim in the motel pool which cut up our feet. Strange what a 7 yr old remembers, huh?

Oh, and my brother Alan must be taking this picture- he's a funny guy, but from the looks of this photo, perhaps I'm the only one who thinks so. I'll have to research that further.....

Outside the Box

This is the latest release by my favorite artist, James C. Christensen.

I've long been a fan of his work and the detail, feeling and wit portrayed there, as well as the human side of things (he often, like here, paints his characters with a "hump" representing our imperfections).

This one is called Outside the Box. I think it shows simplicity, peace and optimism for the future-

all things that I am praying for right now in my life.

Vital American Knowledge

My dad is a patriot. He has a deep love for this country, for it's divinely inspired founding fathers and founding principles. He never failed to remind us as we grew up that we live in a blessed land, a nation of freedom, and that that comes with responsibilities.

I'm blessed to have learned this, and I strive to teach my own children who they are and what it means to be an American. (By the way, that's American- not German-American, not half-Polish/half-American, etc. It's American...what more could you possibly want???)


So the other day my dad sent out an email that he had received from a concerned friend- one who is concerned for our nation. I'm including a link to a you-tube video. It's about 10 minutes long.

I beg that you watch it. That you hear it. That you learn (or are reminded) it. And then, most importantly, that you teach it to your children.


Our nation is the greatest nation in the world, established by founding fathers who understood the meaning of freedom. They risked life and limb to pave the way for us. They understood the proper role of government to establish the most freedoms of it's people. If we do not understand these principles, we will lose our freedoms.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7M-7LkvcVw

*And Dad, in case I haven't mentioned it lately, thanks. Thanks for all you've taught me- really! I love you!