Katie's little elves...

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Ashley is a Wildcat!

Trying to maintain balance in a vastly fragile, shaky time, I need to remind myself of the many blessings our family does get to enjoy. One is the sweet news that 17 year old granddaughter Ashley, currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is going to be coming to Northwestern in September! Here is part of Greg's email to us:

"Just in case anyone hadn't heard the great news, we found out on Wednesday night that Ashley was officially accepted into Northwestern University !!! Since she applied using the Early Decision process, she is formally committed to attend, and will begin classes in Evanston in September! Northwestern is presently the #14 rated university in the US (higher than Rice at #17!), and 83% of the students are from the Top 10% of their high school class. Ashley has been admitted to the Medill School of Journalism, regarded as one of the Top 5 in the US. Maybe you'll see her writing for the Chicago Tribune, or broadcasting for NBC news, someday. Anyway, we are happy."

And I am happy. It will be so great to have Ashley within a quick drive to Evanston instead of a 21 hour airline flight away! I can still remember clearly talking with Greg on the phone literally minutes after Ashley was born down in Houston; the excitement and sheer joy and amazement were so apparent in his voice. I don't think the joy has ever diminished.

If I had my look-to-the-future glasses on, I would love to see the futures of all of our sweet grandchildren. At this holy time of year, it seems as if all should be peaceful for them. Continue to pray with me that one day soon this would be so. And not just for these little ones but all children everywhere...

I love this pic...yum...

Chief Elf Maya

Elf Hayden

Elf Denver amazes Rylan

Elf meeting.

Elf Isaiah

Elf Reece

Elf Kylie

Elf Rylan

"Normal" not so much...

This season, this month has come with hard stuff the last few years and this year is no exception. I count on God to get each of us through and He always has. I know He will continue to do so. As I sometimes pray so hard that everything would be "normal", I realize "normal" is only a selection on our washing machine. This wisdom was from a nieghbor I ran into tonight at Walgreens coming just at exactly the right time!

Prayer is uppermost for us right now. Details are not possible but your prayers are coveted. The Malaysian Bonciminos are doing well and soon we have some terrific news to pass on about them...or at least one of them. We got a chance to talk on SKYPE the other morning (for us) and evening (for them) . I got to give the girls the business and said I was going to photo-shop their faces onto the elf apron and hat montage I am creating of grandkids. I think I will make that my Friday project.

May your holiday preparations prepare your heart for Him...the only place we can truly put our trust and hope.

Starring Cheryl...

As the world turns...that was one of my mom's favorite soap operas. I never got into watching it but I certainly have been able to be part of it. Life continues to bring ever changing "normals" to us and it is okay. My momma didn't raise no wimps!

I will blog in a while about how the holidays are shaping up. Christmas really is my favorite season and our house reflects that. The nine foot Christmas tree in the living room towers and reflects and is beautiful. It is decorated in mostly red, gold, white and silver ornaments and adorned with many cardinals, mostly gifts from sweet friends. Decorating it was pretty strategic; Pete actaully wore his stilts and I was on an 8' ladder to get the top done and now keeping the twins distracted from undecorating the lower portion is a fun pastime.

As the world turns, that is on the other side of the world...a really great article about wonderful daughter-in-law Cheryl was printed in the Kuala Lumpur Times. I hope it is able to be read as posted here. In most cases, if you click on photos on my blog, they will be enlarged and legible. Love to pass on comments to Cheryl. Okay, the world is turning, off I go...