2008 is underway...

And so far its been good. Its been a little less crazy than the end of 2007, but hey, that's what happens during the holidays when you live no less than 8 hours away from immediate family. We did, again, make the McGregor Midwest Tour, as we like to call it... and with K's increased love of singing and dancing, it was more of a Concert Tour. Here were the cities and venues of her choice...

Dec 22- Peoria IL -- Holiday Inn Downtown
Dec 23 - Marshalltown IA -- McGregor Family Complex
Dec 27 - Decorah IA -- Country Inn and Suites and Luther College
Dec 29 - Kohler WI -- Schnettler Family Complex
Jan 2 - Springfield OH -- Homecoming Concert

For those of you wanting to buy the T-shrit... we're all out, sorry. We will be touring again soon, I'm sure and will be sure to print some extra's next time!

But seriously, we were extremely blessed to travel over 1500 miles safely, mostly in good spirits (only 1 "I WANT OUT" tantrum!) and see a majority of our family and a lot of close friends. After trips like this, I am always extremely grateful to live in the 21st century, with reliable cars and roads, flexible jobs, the ability to travel and see family and friends (and did I mention portable DVD players for 2 year olds!) I often wonder what it would be like for us if we didn't have all these fabulous things to keep us in touch. As much as I enjoy Little House on the Prairie... I was not born to live it.

Snow Reflections...

I must admit, I love the first snowfall of the year and this year's may be the best yet. We were awakened on Wednesday morning to 3 inches of fresh powder gently falling from the skies. You know the stuff that usually only appears on Christmas cards or sappy Christmas movies (both of which I love!) As K was working on a "craft", I was able to grab a minute to reflect out the window. I had just tried to explain to her that there wasn't snow in Bethlehem (we'd been playing with her navitity set). But as I gazed out the window, I realized how that white, perfectly white snow was a reminder of God's love... of that fact that in His eyes we have been washed cleaner that than perfect snow. And now, after another day of less than perfect moments with a 2 year old and another 3 inches of fresh snow, I am so grateful for His forgiveness and love. Without it, winter (and life!) just wouldn't be the same.

Blessings on all your snowfalls...

I'm back...

I'm back from a very quick trip to visit our new little bug. She is just cuter than cute and what a set of lungs! She's most definitely a Schnettler girl!!!

But I must say, as I often still refer to K as my little baby or my little girl, this little Bug makes K look like a little lady... what happened to my baby????

Beautiful...

is all I can say about my new niece. Miss Avery Denise Harms arrived on Friday at 10:44 AM. She was 7lbs 9 oz and 18.8 inches long. I am actually in Virginia (thanks to really cheap airfare!) and got to see her last night, sound asleep. She is so beautiful. I'll post a few pictures when I get back home tomorrow morning. If you want to see some "fresh" photos of Avery, check out her mommy and daddy's blog. Happy Snow, folks!

http://theltandgooddoctorharms.blogspot.com/

Its a Small World...

As some of you know, I am convinced that our town of Springfield Ohio is much smaller than anyone says it is. I know there are suppose to be 65,000 people hear, but I am really, truly, convinced there are, maybe, 2000. Everywhere we go, we are running into people we know, people who know people we know, people who are related to people we know... you get the point. And this just didn't start happening now that we've been here 20 (yes, as of tomorrow!) months. Its been happening since day 1! I sometimes think its worse than the Luther cult!

Anyway, now its happening in my blogging world... what's the chance that the 2 blogs I read the most (one in little town MN and one in big town Cinci) would have a link to the SAME blog????? There are 1000's, millions...How very strange.

More Random Things...

I am really kind of liking remembering all the random things about myself! so here are a few more:

- I am the oldest of 5.

- Although my mother shutters at the thought, I LOVE instant chocolate pudding - not cook and serve!

- I love Oreos completely immersed in ice cold milk.... or with Corona beer (but not dunked).

- I totally believe that if a stuffed animal tells you their name or makes eye contact, you have to purchase them (my sisters totally get that one!)

- I have (proudly) owned a Brett Favre jersey since high school (and am blogging this while watching the packers and the cowboys- GO PACK!)

- I hate bananas...flavor, texture, anything about them, except their color.

- I once got lost on a bus in Nagasaki, Japan... who knew there were 3 #1 buses, all in Japanese!

- I once played a stork in a play (it was Aesop's fables - circa 1992!)

- I am really afraid this list could go on forever!

- The only entree I have ever ordered at the Cheesecake Factory (and I've been there close to a dozen times) is the Orange Chicken.... usually with Snickers Cheesecake (but sometimes that will vary!)

- The building of my first apartment after college was 95% occupied by people over 70...nice and quiet, but our neighbor died and we didn't even know it for weeks (remember that, maria!)

Oh, I could really go on with this.... but the Packers are now only down by 3 and I have to start concentrating on the game. Happy Randomness, Everyone!

Auntie Jill...

Well for those of you who want to know, my sister will be delivering Baby Tate tomorrow AM!!! We know this because as K says... Baby Tate is not cooperating! (He/She is breech). We do not know if we will be auntie/uncle to a niece or nephew, what the name will be, or anything else. Just that he/she will arrive tomorrow. Please say a little extra prayer for Amy, Marty and Tate. We are so excited that they get to join us in this adventure of parenting!

I'll post more when I know more... maybe even a picture of our little baby tate!