Blessed

This is me in my new fuzzy slippers, drinking decaf coffee from my new Keurig coffeemaker, writing about our wonderful Christmas and Christmas Eve :)

What a wonderful day we've had! We got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my parents and grandparents, and I do believe we all had a blast! We all got so many wonderful gifts, but one of my favorite parts of the whole time was when my granddad gave Cade his old BB Gun. He said to Cade, "do you know what an heirloom is?" Cade said yes and we all confirmed that it is a special present passed down from a family member. Then Granddad said, "well, you are my first and so far only great grandson, so I want to give you my old bb gun. I had a lot of fun with it, and I sure hope you do, too." Then he handed it over to Cade who inspected it and checked it out and said "this is really cool! Thank you!" He had a delightful reaction to the gift, thought it was so neat and was genuinely appreciative. It made my heart so happy, for both of those guys! Granddad had even etched Cade's name into the barrel. You know what Cade did for the majority of the past two days? Shot that gun! It was so cool to see that he was really having fun. He made targets, had contests with grandpa (my dad) and granddad and even shot the word Thanks into a piece of cardboard and gave it to Granddad. Maybe it seems small, but it was just really cool for me to be a part of :) (and I don't even like guns!)

We also had a treasure hunt, wonderful food, coffee and family time and I am so thankful for all of it. Next we're looking forward to spending time with the Schurz clan for the holiday. Can't wait! Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas as well!

Granddad giving Cade the BB Gun




Mom and Grandma snapping beans


Mom and Dad's beautiful forest tree. All the ornaments aside from the bulbs are made by Grandma with a picture from each year!


Jeff's famously delicious citrus glazed ham


The contest is on!




Yep, that's me. Old step mom had to show her skills, too :)



Cade fashioned a moving target by putting a can on the tire swing-it was a challenge, but not for long.


Christmas Eve dinner


The Thank You card Cade made for Granddad


Checking out the stockings. Cade waited forever for us to get ready to check them out! When Scottie and I were kids we'd wake up around 4 or 5 am and look at what Santa brought, then go back to sleep and wait for the parents to get up!


There was a compass and a note in the stocking. Cade learned how to read a compass and then proceeded on a treasure hunt. It was negative 5 degrees! BRRRRRRR!




The treasure!



All fogged up after the hunt!


Santa also brings scratch tickets ;)



Cade has been excited to get Grandpa a giant bag of coffee for a long time. This bag will make 80 cups! "that will probably last you a day."


Jeff's awesome magnetic tool wristband from Scott and Brandy.


Mom got an awesome new knife set


Grandma and Granddad opening


So handsome :)


Oh boy. He posed for this one. Thanks, babe.


Checking out his shortwave radio from Grandma and Grandpa.


Jeff putting on his manly face while he and dad put on his new hitch--haha!


During Christmas lunch a buck and doe came into the yard and we were all mesmerized.




And the belle of the Christmas ball, Ruby. Grandma put this on her head. She loves grandma and would wear that bow all day every day if it meant she would get some love from Grandma. Ruby is probably the best dog I've ever seen in my entire life.


Back home tonight and brewing a cup of coffee while my boys play video games. Yes indeed, we are very blessed. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas one and all!

Love,
The Schurz family

Wish List

Dear Santa,

My wish list for 2010 is long. And I don't think you, even with all your magic, can give me the things I want. But oh, I will continue to hope. And ask with fervor.

Dear Santa, will you give us world peace this year? I'm talking about serious world peace. The kind where neighbors don't call the police on neighbors because of a junky car on the lawn. A world where sisters don't yell at each other. A world where political differences don't cause people to call names. Where people with religious differences walk by each other each day and nod, or even smile, despite their disagreements. A place where guns are not used, not even around. Where kids don't grow up hearing gun shots down the street. A world where tanks don't roll by a family's house every day, with soldiers holding weapons. A place where tribes help each other instead of fight with each other. A place where angry drivers just tap the brakes and back up a little. A world where young girls and boys don't have to join gangs to feel like they have family. Where movies, games, tv shows don't glamorize war and fighting, killing and dying. Where children and spouses aren't abused. A world where we don't have to fear for our children when they walk to school, and where children don't have to be scared to go home. Where home is the safest place you could be. Where problems are solved using actual solutions, not violence.

Dear Santa, will you teach us how to look at people with love and mercy? If people have a harsh or critical word for someone around them, will you help them to see that persons circumstances and background? Will you help us to not judge others based on our own experiences, but rather take a step into their shoes? Will you help us create a world where people are celebrated because of our differences rather than criticized or judged? Will you show us how to empathize? Will you take away our pedestals? Doesn't that sound like a gift, Santa?

And dear Santa, will you put an end to hunger and homelessness around the world? Will mothers and fathers who work three jobs to live be able to pay for both the heating bill and the groceries? Will parents who work through the night also be able to go to open house at their children's schools? When a man loses his job, will he be able to stay in his home rather than find a shelter? Will people with mental issues and addictions be able to find true help so they don't have to huddle under cardboard? Will you make it so every family can be together on Christmas day? Will you fill every pantry in every country with goods for meals and snacks so little boys and girls will grow up strong and healthy? Will you provide tools for hunting and gathering and make crops grow plentiful? Will you give every school enough for books, paper, pencils, desks and teachers? Will you give every hospital enough equipment, medicine, beds and doctors? When people are sick, will you help them get the medicine they need to get better? Will you help the rich countries figure out how to help the poor countries with clean drinking water? Doesn't that sound like a wonderful world, Santa?

And oh Santa dear, it would be nice to live in a world where respect and admiration are given to teachers, grandpas and grandmas, nurses, librarians, trash collectors and lawn mowers. To delivery drivers and grocery stockers and laborers. Instead of looking up to athletes to drink and drive and beat their wives, instead of wanting to be like celebrities who throw away money and treat others poorly. Maybe you could arrange it so the paychecks of all these people make more sense, too. A world where wages are fair. Don't you think that sounds nice, Santa?

Santa, will you help women who want children have them? Will you find homes for children who need them? Will you teach us how to love, so that every single person on earth feels filled with love? Will you give us an understanding of how to respect Earth, animals and others? Will you teach us how to take care of not only our things, but the things that grow around us, the animals that live near us, the people across the street? Basically, will you give us all the gift of selflessness?

I guess some people might say I'm asking too much. For a perfect world. But you don't think so, do you, Santa? Nah, I don't think so either.

Thanks, Santa.
Love,
Terri Lynn

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

What a wonderful week it has been! Last weekend Jeff and I went on a fun date to "our restaurant" AND he surprised me with flowers one day :) That boy is on a role. This weekend was so nice, full of celebrating Christmas with friends.



Saturday was the 8th annual Christmas party with college girlfriends. This was the first year Grace hosted. She went ALL OUT! She made gorgeous decorations, centerpieces, gifts and food and drink for the brunch. It was a beautiful celebration at her house, full of warmth, laughs and love. I hope we make these annual parties last forever! Steph, Sarah, Tiff, and Grace are gifts to my heart.


We took TONS of pictures because it seemed like I looked like a giant in so many of them. Plus we had to get one where we all looked just right ;) Then there were the obligatory silly pictures!

I HAD to get one with Steph's leg like this. She is a riot!


Steph and Sarah shooting Grace for some reason!


Ah, such pretty friends! Steph, Sar, Tiff, Grace and me.


Sitting down to eat at the fancy table.


Grace's lovely paper mache'd NOEL and hand made stars on the garland. Made of book paper!


She found this frame, added the twine and uses it as a Christmas card holder. Perfect!


Festive raspberry mint water.


A wreath made of coffee filters and berries!


This was my favorite! An ugly pink and gray swan turned into a gorgeous centerpiece with book pages and sheet music and a poinsettia!


Gifts! An ornament for each guest with our names on them.

The party was so lovely it was very hard to leave!


Friday night was a Holiday Wine Soiree at my friend Jo's house. Her downtown house is absolutely adorable, lovely, cozy and perfectly Christmassy. It was a blast to sit and chat while nibbling on delightful snacks and sipping with with Jo, Staci and Ashley. What fun to have with friends!

Jo and Wes's cat George. So handsome!


The silly pictures from this night! Jo, Ashely, me and Staci.


We got dressed up for this little shindig.



Jo and Wes's tree was so full and perfect and REAL!


Ash and Stace.


The set up. Jo was the perfect host!


I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends in my life. What fun to celebrate with them. I hope your season is full of so much warmth, laughter and love as well!