What a differnece a day makes....

My last blog was such a sign of excitement, Steelers in the Super Bowl.....Yeh!!!!! Trust me, there is excitement all around us....People spending money, Steeler Stuff everywhere, reason to have favorite fun foods, etc.

But..........sometimes God reminds us that football, sports, etc. isn't everything (I totally agree!!!)

The same day I had our last post, was the same day that we found out that my sister-in-law Sarah's (Todd's wife) mom had a massive stroke in Wisconsin. She survived the time it took for someone to get help to her but tragically, she passed away last Sunday at age 61. Thursday was her service and tomorrow Todd's family flies back to SC to face life as it is now. This tradgedy is beyond words but our prayers are with the entire family as they use the faith in God that they have to face another day.

In this same period of time, a good friend is watching her mom worsen every day from the effects of MS. Another friend's mom (age 72) fell, broke her ankle, and crawled in the dark to get help. Another friend from church was at a church dinner Saturday night and Sunday morning had no strength in her legs to walk. She thankfully is slowly making progress.

My own Emily had a week long, itchy, awful case of fifth disease and now this week is in her fourth day of some virus and has not been able to keep anything down since Wednesday.

We all have stories to tell of sadness, sorrow, pain and maybe some fun at a Super Bowl Party is what some need to escape reality a little bit but it is also a time to remember that no matter who wins or loses, life goes on.

What a difference a day makes...........

Here we go Steelers, Here we go!!!!!!

We're going to the Super Bowl......(not us but the Steelers!!!!!!)

Our family is so excited. We have this 9 year old who knows everything about the Steelers, stats, bad plays, players, everything.....He has taught us so much!! Then we have the 3 year old that loves to tell everyone "Go Steelers" and that his favorite player is "Ben Roethlisberger" (which sounds so cute coming from him). Then the rest of us who enjoy football snacking (instead of a real dinner) and fellowshiping (Scott's part!!!!).

The real, true Steeler fans and the team who have endured bitter cold temps the last two games will hopefully get rewards with the Florida temps for the Super Bowl.

Luv ya black and Gold!!!!!!

Don't Cry Daniel!!!!!!

Well, after 9 1/2 years of being a mom, I found a new way to make a 3 year old cry........remove the Christmas Tree from the house, after one month of enjoying it. Daniel cried and cried yesterday as I took the ornaments off, explained the tree was going outside, and then taking it out. Like I need any more guilt......especially because this was the freshest tree we've had and you could literally count the number of needles that fell off!!! It is decorating our driveway amidst the beautiful white snow that continues to fall.

I hope he is not in therapy for this!!!!!! What should we do next year???

On the opposite side of emotions, we took the kids to Sesame Street Live on Sunday and I could not capture Daniel's smile on camera, he was so excited!!!! Then we followed that with a Steelers Win!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I should take the tree out next year before we see Elmo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adventure???!!!???

You bet............Four little letters........S N O W !!!!!!!!

We've had about 8 inches in the last 24 hours, now changing to rain a little bit.

Kids got to shovel snow, play in the street (no plowing until about noon today!!!),
sled ride and just have fun.

Emily and I just finished pelting snow balls from outside while Daniel was inside the front glass door.....What easy fun!!!!!

We may make a snowman later today, while Daddy is at work.

Have fun where you are (even in a sunny state). This kind of fun only happens a few times a year so we really enjoy it when we can!!!!!

Back on Schedule

Everyone seems to be back on a schedule of some sort this week. School and preschool is back in session, Boy Scouts, Daisies, etc. etc. Everyone (moms I should say!!!!) I have talked to this week was ready for Christmas break to be done but it sure was fun!!!! It is fun to have a relaxed pace and look for fun things to do each day instead of having things planned for us by school and sports schedules!!!!!

The January calendar is filling up already!!! Andrew has his first basketball game tomorrow in a league of his classmates, etc. They practiced in December and start to have games each Saturday for 6-8 weeks. We'll see how he likes it.

We have entered a new world........Emily is a Daisy (part of Girl Scouts) and we had our "Cookie Selling" meeting last night. Girl Scout Cookies are now on sale!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope everyone says yes to her becase she doesn't take rejection well!!! We have enough friends addicted to these cookies that she shouldn't have much trouble!!!!

All I have to say before I go is........GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!