Sights and Sounds...cans, basketballs, and cooking away

Our Saturday began early for most of us. Sara was at her friend's sleepover celebrating a birthday so I don't think her's started as early as our did. The rest of us headed over to the high school and helped sort and fill baskets of food for the community needs agency. The kids collect cans every year through a competition they have a school, but we've never been able to make it over to help out with distribution. We had a great time and it was good for the kids to see where all the cans end up.

The next step to our crazy day, which was made more interesting by being down to one vehicle and it happens to be the one that cannot hold all of us, was for Ashley and I to head over to her last basketball game of this session. We are so proud of her perseverance. This was her first time playing basketball and it took her a bit to be comfortable during the game. But she hit her first basket last week and her confidence soared. She finished out the session today by hitting four baskets and one of them was off of a steal. Her coach said that she was her most improved player on the session. She has another session from January - March.

After Joe ran the errands and pick us up from the ballgame the cooking/baking fest began at our house. Our annual Merry Open House is tomorrow afternoon and we did fried turkey this year. So now the four turkeys are fried, the cookies and candies are ready to go and let the party begin tomorrow afternoon!

Sights and Sounds...tears in my eyes...

My beloved John brought home his December journal from school today. A friend of mine who works in his class at school got to read this particular journal entry the day he wrote it and mentioned to me to be looking for a special one. The instructions were "December is the month for giving gifts. Write about a gift that you would like to give to a special person." His entry is very special indeed:

"I have a very special present for my Mom and Dad. This year I will give my parents my love. Love is one of the most special presents. It comes not in paper, but from the heart. I love my parents so much."

Sights and Sounds...Santa

Santa, Bass Pro Shop, Christmas lights, Christmas music, ohs & aws...these were the sights and sounds around here last night. We visited Santa Clause at Bass Pro Shop's Santa's Wonderland last night and had an AWESOME time. I highly recommend it to anyone who lives near us or a Bass Pro. So easy and a free picture.... Even Sara, who decided that she was too old to sit on Santa's lap, thought it was cool. I loved the kid in front of us who had to be at least 9. He presented his written list to Santa and the two of them had a very serious discussion. Reminded me of Ralphie from A Christmas Story...wonder if a Red Rider BeeBee Gun was on his list. On my kids' list...a wrist watch, a Colts helmet and Colts pants, a scooter, gum that will fill our house (any guesses on that one??!!). After Santa we headed over to a nearby Christmas light display that amazes me each year. Quote of the night came from one of my boys. In looking at one of the dinosaurs, I commented.."I wonder how they did that." My son responded "Well, I think they take a wire and attach lights to it. Then they plug the wire in." Thanks son...

Sights and Sounds of the Season at the Horns

Well, it has been a flurry of activity around our house, but not as much as in the past. I honestly cut out a lot of the "minor" things that we would do each December and have been amazed at how just doing that has calmed me. I thought I would fill you in with the activities in the form of "sights and sounds".

The first sound I will share is the sound of discussions about "going to Pearce". Pearce is our local community center that we absolutely love. Ashley's basketball program that she is currently in takes place at Pearce. (BTW, she made her first two baskets this past Saturday at her game. I knew once I could convince her to shoot it, that she would start making some. Her confidence is slowly building and once it is up she may be a decent basketball player. Ahh, Hoosier blood...) Anyway, Pearce is also where we go work out. Joe is nearing the end of the weight loss competition he has been in the last 6 months or so. He is very close to "being in the money" (the top three). Pearce also has an indoor pool that we will probably dip into over Christmas break. You will also hear groans associated with Pearce....or the lack of getting to go in my life. I am feeling so much better, but can't seem to convince my body that exercise is okay again. Right after Thanksgiving I went for a two mile run after having a break since July. It felt so. good. to run again. I never thought I would miss it the way I do. Unfortunately, I felt worse than I had felt in probably a month for the next couple of days after I ran. So I am trying to take it slow. I hopped on the treadmill again today and attempted to just walk, but it is just so tempting to pick up the speed when it feels good when you do it. It helped that Joe was with me this time to remind me not to overdue it. I walked about 2 miles (ran for about 1/4 of a mile) and felt much better when I got off this time. I am trying to be patient, but patience has never been one of my best attributes...

30 Days of Thankful--Day 30

I am so thankful for my husband Joe Horn. He honors me in all he does. He cares for me so well. And he visibly loves me without words (and with words!) I am truly blessed to have this man as the gift of my husband.