Texas and Winter

Finally, Shayla had a couple of school delays due to winter weather this week. She was pretty excited about that!





Shayne had a couple of interesting days in Texas this week. I think it's time to head out west soon to see what their cold winter weather is like! We are all home together for the weekend!

Here's wishing you and yours a glorious one!

January 2012

I hope this finds everyone well! I've been told I haven't updated for a while, but there hasn't been any news. School and work is going well for all of us. We sometimes have our breath taken away when we ponder about how old Christi would be and wonder what she might be into if she had lived.

Winter hasn't been much of a winter this year, but we've been taking advantage of it whenever we can. I will post some pictures of recent winter activities we have enjoyed (skiing & ice skating).




When Shayla was little she used to tell us she either wanted to be a priest or a ballet teacher. When asked why she would reply, "They only have to work one day a week." It used to crack us up. Now she totally understands that is not right at all. She, alone, goes to dance three times a week and this week she had a bit of a taste of religious life. She asked us if she could be an alter service at church. We agreed and let her go through the training. This week she served her first mass and four additional masses. One day she went straight to dance, church, rosary prayers and then CCD without even coming home from school. I think she now has some sort of idea how hard those in religious life work! (I thought it would be way too embarrassing to take any pictures of her in her alter server attire, but trust me - she's cute!)



Yesterday was very exciting for the one who loves writing. She had been staying after school one day a week for some time as a member of the Power of the Pen Club for her school. She told us she was selected as one of six to serve on the competition team for yesterday's district level competition. We were all so happy for Shayla. At the end of the day, at the awards ceremony, we learned Shayla came in 5th overall for her grade and she will be advancing to the regional competition. God is good!

Meeting Angels on Earth

Shayla and I spent a few days at my sister's last week. She loved being with her cousins and I was blessed to enjoy "Girls' Night" with my sister's friends. They did so much to help and support my sister, Christi, and all of us during Christi's journey. I felt very guilty knowing how much they'd done and I had never even met them - until last week. It was emotional for me at times. This sweet women painted a gorgeous mural at Christi's school (Bridges) after her death. It's the one place Shayne and I have not yet mustered up the courage to visit, but we want to do so this year. God's people are good!