Let it Snow...Let it Snow....Let it snow!

We had little to no snow last year and all of a sudden 2013 has brought truck loads of snow for Kansas!!!!!! I had been whining that we weren't going to get "Snow Days"....a highlight of a teacher's career.....and we had #4 Wednesday and back to work today! YIPPEE...this Oz girl was quite tickled and not complaining! I think the best part is not getting up at 0'dark o'clock and getting to sleep in! Plus I got a lot of "chores" done that sometimes get put aside through the school days/week/year! Income tax is ready so now we just need clear roads to be able to meet with our tax man! Perhaps a sleigh ride??????

I got to spend a lot of YaYa time with Lily-Jo too which is fun! We have made a lot of batches of Chocolate Chip cookies/brownies and I've fixed big meals almost every night! I'm just loving it! My hips are too! Plus I'm squeezing in a afternoon nap whenever I can!

 Poppy and his girl!

This is the busy week for High School Basketball games and they are having a hard time getting them in. Hoping it gets finished up and warm sunny Track season will begin.

The snow is quite pretty and it's amazing how within a few short months, we will go from an ALL white scenery to beautiful green grass and trees with bright green leaves. God's creations are masterpieces! I must say however that I am looking forward to Spring and warm weather. Opening windows, hearing the birds, digging in the dirt.......sounds very nice right now. I'm have been sitting with a roaring fire in the fireplace and lots cooking in the kitchen....which is very cozy but just really needing some warm Vitamin D to the body !

How is your weather? Are you excited for Spring?

Have a wonderful day! 

Happy President's Day!

Happy President's Day to all! We had a day off from school so we appreciate this holiday! R and I worked on income tax prep and did a little house picking up and laundry. Also got to take a nap with Lily Jo while her Momma ran errands. Love these days of S L O W
! 

Did anyone watching Killing Lincoln last night on National Geographic Channel? I got in on the middle of it and loved it! I'm fascinated with Abraham Lincoln and find him to be a man of good character. We were doing a 1st grade LEVEL study of him this past week and amazingly kids are interested in him as well. I may just have to buy the book and read it as well. Has anyone read it yet and care to share reviews?

Haley had a baby shower in Wichita over the weekend that we got to go to for the inlaws side of the family. What a wonderful shower it was! There were about 30 there and I will say that my grandson is going to be the best dressed little guy! Little boys clothes are so adorable! We have another shower this coming weekend here at my house for family. About 6 more weeks till he's here!!!!! :0)

Want to share a Psalm with you that we heard at my daughter's church over the weekend and then I read it to my Mom tonight. I thought it was such a good one.  

Psalm 116
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
² Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
⁷ Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
⁸ For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
¹⁰ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
¹¹ I said in my haste, All men are liars.
¹² What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
¹³ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
¹⁶ O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
¹⁹ In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

I also got something in the mail Friday that I ordered after being recommended by Whitney on another blog. Elm Street Life. I'm starting with Card 1 and going to attempt to whole heartily do one card a week! They are very nicely made! Tell Summer I sent you!
 

50 promises memory cards by Show & Tell

2. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more consistent in memorizing Scripture. So along come these pretty cards by Summer Harms featuring 50 promises of God, making it so easy (and beautiful!). Order them here.

Hoping you had a wonderful weekend and that maybe you got to enjoy the day off as well! Hoping Kansas will WARM it's little self up and get out of these 30/40 degree days and hit those 60's ! Can't hurt to wish! I'm very done with Winter! 

Here are some odds and ends of pics from the shower. I leave you with my newly brunette daughters. They like change! Their father and I never know what is next! They call themselves Mary Kate and Ashley this week!

Haley and her nephew on hubby's side and niece Lily-Jo.

 

Happy 1st Birthday Lily-Jo!!

Today is Lily-Jo's 1st birthday! I can't believe it! One year ago I was holding my first grandchild! It was truly one of the best days! Poppy and I are thrilled to be grandparents! I never imagined the joys it brings! And little baby boy is coming in April! I will be out of my mind with 2 of them to spoil!

This is one of my favorite pictures as we were both completely in awe of this little bundle. 

Her Mommy and Daddy had her birthday party last Saturday and it was so fun. Auntie Darb was just clicking away! Here are just a few pics she has edited! And just a quick plug for my baby's Photography business! Check her out at: babyrheaphotography.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Lily-Bug! 

YaYa loves you very much!

Christmas 2012

I just found my Christmas pics in a folder! Does that tell you how s.....l.....o.....w  I am to get any blogging done? Christmas is tucked away in my basement and I'm getting really pumped to pack away my Winter/Snowmen decor! I'm just so ready for Spring! I can't wait for Groundhog Day! January and August are my 2 hard months to get through. I just feel better when we make it to February! Crazy since February can bring some harsh Kansas cold and snow.  
Anywhoo.....here are a few touches of Christmas.....

I got my girls and I aprons for Christmas Eve.....a yearly cooking tradition to wear now!

 Lily-Jo's first Christmas!

 The aftermath of the morning!

 Her Mommy made her outfit! So cute!

Happy 2013!

It is here....I tried to bring it in but at 11:00 p.m. Central Time...I succumbed to sleep. My husband was snoring by 9:30 p.m.
I am heading back to work tomorrow after almost 2 wonderful weeks off. Sleeping in, showers at odd times of the day, meals late, lots of cooking, staying up late, spending time with family, loving on Lily-Jo.....

I will only have 2 days this week with kiddos which will be a breeze. Those little ones will come all excited to fill Mrs. Madden in on what Santa brought and what they did all during break. That may be all I accomplish in 2 days! 

 My heart is very sad for the Sandy Hook families. I teach 1st graders and I have spent much time thinking how I would feel, what I would do, if that had been my classroom. I looked around my room that day and saw the chaos of "Christmas" presents we were wrapping, Rudolphs, Santas, ornaments, crayons, glitter, glue, pencils, backpacks, Santa hats............and a room full of teachers were with me in my room as we watched the news and we cried thinking of the innocence of the moment when those dreadful horrific moments took place. As we head back, our district is making changes to secure and protect even more than we already do. My eyes are now more alert although can you really protect yourself or little 6 and 7 year olds from basically a high powered machine gun???? Glass and locked doors do not keep evil out. I know you are all thinking of that community as well and your hearts and prayers are with them as well. 

Resolutions:
I usually don't get too serious or write them down. Maybe I should! Maybe THAT'S the key! HA! 

*I have been thinking that I'm definitely going back to more healthy eating. I love the Sonoma Diet! It fits my liking well and it works for me. Cut the sugar and the white flour! 10 Power Foods that I love anyway. 

*Time Management is going to improve! I'm putting scheduling in with that and saying NO when I can and keeping a close eye on the calendar to not let it get out of control! I want to enjoy what IS going on each and every day and be "in the moment". 

*Organization is on the list too. Beginning with writing down 
P A S S W O R D S (yikes!!!!!!!!!!) in a book to all those crazy websites, etc. I try to use the same one but that doesn't always work.  I want to purge and throw away, make organized shelves, and Simplify. My children and husband will laugh as they don't consider my lifestyle "simple". 

*And most importantly I want to draw closer to God and Jesus Christ. I want to study the Bible more in my time and read the Word and ponder it and apply it. Faith with works. I want to find ways to be more Christ like. I try to pray without ceasing....but I can still pray more. 

How about you....do you make "Resolutions?"

And so once again, I say......

Happy New Year to you and your family!

I leave you with scripture:

Philippians 4:8

King James Version (KJV)

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

YaYa's Little Helper

Grandchildren make you remember the absolute joy of "little ones". 

Unfortunately, when you are a "momma" and in the midst of raising babies, caring for them, protecting them, teaching them, feeding them, not sleeping because of their schedule......you sometimes forget to just ENJOY! I raised 4 babies and I remember pure exhaustion much of the time! But God provided generations for us and the beauty of of grandparenthood is that you get to savor those special times, spoil as needed, relish those small details, and seldom say "NO".

I count my blessings daily....God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, my husband, my 4 wonderful children, my 2 son in laws, my precious granddaughter, my precious grandson to be, my home, my job, my friends, my parents, health.....and on and on and on. I'm sure you do the same and your list is similar. 

Age has made me slow down and enjoy more. I'm not succumbing to OLD yet but just finding more calm and peaceful moments.  At many times, my house does NOT seem calm and peaceful! Perhaps loud and chaotic would best describe it. I just turn the Christmas music up louder and keep on Keeping ON!

In this holiday season, I hope you can enjoy those precious simple moments!

Today I'm home with Lily-Jo.....she is on the mend from RSV and doing great....I'm loving this day!

 

Merry Christmas from the Maddens!

Wishing you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness and prosperity this holiday season and in the coming New Year.
Love and blessings,
Rodney, Tanya, Zach, Lacey, Blake, Lily-Jo, Haley, Cody, Baby Boy, and Darbey