The Long, Long, Long Winter...

Let's face it, this winter has been cold and long. 

Long and cold.

Did I say cold?

Living in the frozen north woods of Wisconsin, cold can't keep us locked up inside. If it did, we wouldn't ever get to leave our houses.

So on the not quite so cold days, we bundle up and head outside.  One of our favorite winter activities is sledding.  We are fortunate enough to have a fun sized hill in our own backyard.

I like to try and get some action shots of the boys having fun out there.   Here is my favorite sequence from the day.  I like to call it, 

A story in pictures:

Ha! Ha! The boys had a lot of fun tumbling sledding down the hill.

Winter doesn't prevent little boys from climbing trees either:

Or falling out of them:

And of course dogs still do their doggy things.  

They remain mostly unfazed by the temperature change. Although I have noticed that they come in really fast form their potty break when the temps drop below zero/

I hope that if you live where it gets cold, you are finding ways to get outside and have some fun.  It can be easy to let the cold, dreary days get the best of you.  But is is important to look for the beauty that surrounds you and find things to be thankful for.

Remember Them

photo credit: Mimi Kramer

It's Memorial Day today.  
I'm pretty sure this fact hasn't gone unnoticed by most of us.
But what have we done to truly remember the men and women who have paid for our freedom with their service?  With their own freedom?  With their lives? 
Too often we don't do much but give the holiday a passing thought.  Maybe think about it briefly when we take in a parade. 
Maybe just be thankful for an extra day off? 

I want to take just a moment to express my thankfulness.  

I have a a husband who was in the Air force, a father who was in the Navy, an Uncle who was in the Air force, and a brother and sister-in-law who are still serving in active duty in the Air force. I think there was some great grandpa's who had some involvement in the armed services not to mention cousins and other relatives too. 
Each of them has given their time and made sacrifices to serve our country.  I am so grateful to them all.

I especially want to give a shout out to my sister-in-law and brother right now.  They have been active duty soldiers for over 21 years.
Currently my sister-in-law is serving overseas in Kabul Afghanistan.

Mimi in her battle-rattle. photo courtesy of Mimi Kramer

She has left her husband and 16 year old daughter and 11 year old son and answered the call of duty to travel far from home into a hostile environment.  She isn't doing it because she wants to be separated from her family, but because it is what duty demands. While she is over there, she will give her all and do her job to the best of her ability in service to our country.  In service to you and to me.

 So, when you are thinking of our soldiers both past and present, please remember my brother and sister-in-law. Remember their sacrifice.  Remember my niece and nephew. Remember their long days and longer nights being separated from their dearest loves. They will be separated for over 6 months.  That's a long time in a 16 and 11 year old life.  My sister-in-law is missing out on sports competitions, sweet 16 birthday parties, milestones, good night hugs, kisses good morning, and a lot more in between.  My niece and nephew are missing out on the presence of their mom who has been ever present in their lives.  My brother is missing a partner, a friend, a lover. He has to carry the load at home on his own. He has to go to bed alone each night and wake up alone each morning.  And so does she. She has been enduring  a high stress, high danger atmosphere every day.  She has been risking her life, every day.  When they are reunited as a family, they will each be different than they were when they were first separated. They are giving so much for us.
Are you grateful?
Remember that even today while you were enjoying your brat fry and parade there are soldiers on the front lines, facing danger, living in hostile territory doing their duty for our country. 

Sacrificing so that we might remain free.
Take some time to remember them.  
More importantly, take some time to pray for them.  Pray for all the soldiers who are out their doing their duty. 
And be thankful.  
Without them, we wouldn't be free.

My brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew just before she was shipped out.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Another year is coming to a close. With so much to reflect upon it makes me realize we have much to be thankful for. The end of the year offers a perfect opportunity to thank God for all the ways he has provided for us this year. And we are so thankful. A friend of mine was telling me that her sister, who just spent a couple of months in a third world country as part of her schooling, was admitting that this year she thought she would have a hard time with Christmas. Coming from the U.S. and a nice middle class family, she had been sharing a home with a family where the floor was packed dirt and they literally ate beans and rice every day she stayed there. Ususally for more than one meal a day.

The children who lived in the home were getting ready for Christmas and were very excited, as almost all children are. The visiting student learned what the children would be getting for Christmas, the source behind all of the excitement.                                 An orange.                                   They would recieve as their Christmas gift a single orange. And their excitement matched that of any american child who would be showered with gobs of toys. Amazing right?

You know, it makes me realize that yes, the gifts are fun, the food is yummy, but the thing I'm most excited for today is the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I wasn't always this way, it used to be all about the presents for me, but the older I get the more I realize that Jesus really is what it's all about.

I was reflecting in church today about this.  We all get caught up in the gift giving and the gift recieving. (except for Troy) But I was struck once again with the thought that if there was nothing else, Jesus is enough. Then I thought, would Jesus be enough? I know Jesus should be enough. My human nature struggles with this. I like stuff!  Giving it, recieving it, even looking at it.  But what does the stuff do for me in the long run?  It clutters my house, it doesn't satisfy, and it leaves me wanting more.

Seth's big bass!

Not Jesus. He is the only one that satisfys the longing of my heart. He is always there, always current, always the same, always knows what I need and even what I desire. Best of all He loves me. And He wants what's best for me. And His best is possible for me, if I just do what He tells me to do.

So I am thankful for this day. And I am thankful for the opportunity I have to teach my sons what this day is truly about. Not the presents, not the toys, but the greatest gift this world will ever know, the gift of a Savior.

Soccer Stud Seth!

                                                                                         Please join my family today as we celebrate.                 This year I'm going to work on not getting caught up in all the stuff, and instead focus on getting caught up in Jesus.  Want to join me?                                              

 Enjoy a few of the pictures of some of this past years activities. The boys played soccer, we all tried out Silver Birch Ranch's new zip line, we traveled to Canada and Illinois, the boys got free tickets to a Brewer game (they are now fans) and we went ice skating on the lake last week, to name a few of the highlights.    Thank you for being a part of our lives. We are greatful for all of the people god has brought into our lives over the years.    We are abundantly blessed. Merry CHRISTmas!

Enjoying the newly discovered Beabers Cove in Canada

Go Brewers!

Two of the NBI girls, Alexa and Megan also known as our daughters.

Chilling in Illinois at the Fall Festival.

We had family pictures taken this fall. I love the results! Thanks Craig!

picture taking is so much fun

Merry Christmas!