Angel's Mom

Many of you have been praying for my mom this year. Thank you so very much! While her health sent us on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, my mom is doing great with her "new normal." Mom finished her chemo for Multiple Myeloma in November. She continues dialysis three times a week and has even started back to work recently. The ladies whose hair she has taken care of for years are thrilled to have her back working.

This picture is from David's hunting trip to North Carolina in November. Mom has just put on her birthday gift from us - a warm jacket. She looks so beautiful even after all she has been through!

Youth Ski Trip - Winterfest 2009

Our chapel youth group went on a winter retreat to Glorieta, New Mexico. It was a beautiful time to be in the mountains. On Monday, we spent the day at Ski Santa Fe.

Having ski experience, Jonathan and David started skiing the slopes. Jacob and his buddy Sammy took lessons from an instructor.

I'm not sure what this sign means! It was too funny to pass by!

Christmas Day 2009

My Christmas gifts are these three treasures - Jonathan, David and Jacob.

Grandpa Bill, David's dad, spent Christmas with us. Here, he warms his hands by the "fire." When you have no fireplace, you have to improvise!

Grammy made hats and scarves for each of us.

Snow

Although it did not snow on Christmas Day, we enjoyed snow the week of Christmas. As you can see the snow has already melted on the road.

Christmas Musical 2009

The Christmas Musical was amazing! Jonathan played Joseph and Jacob was one of the narrators. David along with the other chaplains served as wisemen. I think all who attended worship that day were moved by the beautiful telling of the coming of Christ.

This picture warms my heart!

School Drama Class Presentation

Jacob and Jonathan are taking drama in school. The drama class presented two plays for Christmas. The first pictures show "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." It was about the Herdman family, a poor, mean family who would ruin the Christmas pageant.

Jacob was Charlie.


Jonathan was Claude Herdman.

The other play was "1940's Radio Mystery." Jonathan was an assistant radio production guy.

Merry Christmas, Jonathan!

December 10th was spirit day at school. Jonathan was decked out in his Christmas attire!

Jacob Snoozing

After taking our Christmas pictures, Jacob fell asleep in the back seat. Kia is a sweet sleeping buddy! Nick, our next door neighbor, is sitting to Jacob's right.

Family Christmas Pictures 2009

Fall Marriage Retreat

David led a marriage retreat at the Glorieta retreat center north of Santa Fe. David and I enjoyed a weekend away even though it was a "working" weekend. The couples learned some new tools to communicate better. We all laughed a lot!

David and I had time for a hike. We hiked up to Preacher's Point. It was a beautiful view.

David closed the weekend by leading a renewal of vows ceremony.

David's 50th Birthday

David celebrated his birthday with a hunting trip to North Carolina. When he returned we had a family birthday party. David's gift was a personalized authentic Packer's jersey with his name and favorite number. He wears it every time the Packer's play!

Bosque del Apache Campout

Jonathan and Jacob camped with their troop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Bosque del Apache, which means "woods of the Apache", was named for the people who often camped in the riverside forest. Today it is know as one of the most spectacular refuges in North America. The boys saw beautiful water fowl like the sandhill crane, bald eagle, red-tail hawk, prairie falcon, and many varieties of ducks.

PWOCI Leadership Development Team

I went to Denver for the Protestant Women of the Chapel's West Region Conference. My team mates from Leadership Development are also in the West Region. We had a working conference and fit in some fun, too! Tracie, Cinky and I are wearing matching shirts that Cinky gifted us with. Leadership Development is W.I.L.D. which stands for Women Intent on Leadership Development.

Balloon Fiesta 2009

It was another beautiful event. The 2009 Balloon Fiesta was exciting to experience with Mike and Dorann who spent the week with us. What a joy to have family visit!

I love this picture! Only my man is looking at me for the picture. The rest are distracted by all the things going on aroung them! Oh, well. At least David was paying attention to me!

Greek Festival

David and I spent the afternoon at the annual Albuquerque Greek Festival. We had some delicious food, listened to traditional Greek music and watched Greek dancers. The day brought back a lot of memories for me as the Greek culture is so similar to my Macedonian upbringing. We had a lot of fun! Opa!

Pumpkin Farm Field Trip

The whole school went to McCall's Pumpkin Farm. I had the privilege of driving 7 middle school boys. It was a lot of fun. First, we boarded the tractors and headed to the pumpkin fields to choose our pumpkin.

They had a large selection to choose from. You could pick any pumpkin you wanted. The only stipulation was that you had to be able to carry the pumpkin back to the tractor and then to the car.

Jonathan and Jacob enjoy the day with their friends.

Today's Sunrise

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"

I pray you are encouraged in knowing that His compassions are new every morning!