Missing in Action

Sorry I have been missing lately!

You know I am busy if I miss Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Fiesta!

I am feeling the stress of the season. Christmas presents to obtain, working more hours than normal b/c we are short a nurse, and decorations to put up. I am not even attempting to make my own Christmas cards this year! I don't think I am going to attempt to make Christmas candy either! These are 2 Christmas tradtions that I really hate to give up, but I just don't know how I am going to get everything done this year!

Here is a little of why I have been missing in action this week:
To start off, my Great Aunt passed away this past Wednesday. Marjorie Utsinger Corsaw taught Home Ec at Cuba for many, many years. Majorie was one of 10 Children and 2nd to the youngest. The youngest being my Grandma. The Utsingers were an amazing family. First of all, there were 9 girls and only 1 boy. Any guesses who got left out of the bathroom? Just Kidding. Secondly, almost all of them had college educations. These ladies and gentleman were born in the 1910s to the 1920s. Very unusual for wowen of their generation to attend college, but they did. Many of them even had careers! Some of them I knew well, others I did not. Aunt Margie I knew very well. She even stopped in last year and visited with me and the twins on a couple of occasions. Aunt Margie and my Grandma have always been very close. The last 2 years, my Grandma has faced losing her husband (2-2006), her best friend (1-2007) and now her closest sister. There are still 2 sisters left... Aunt June and Aunt Mary. I hope we have many more years with both of these fine ladies who have been a big part of my life and growing up. They taught us many life lessons and values and morals. They have been compassionate and supportive, stern and guiding. I don't think I would be the person I am today if it wasn't for my Great Aunties!
In case you remember this post, Majorie is the mother to Lyndel, who just passed away on Halloween. If you pray, please pray for strength for this family. They have been through so much. My heart breaks for them.
For Rememberance sake, I am going to list the Utsinger children. I never want to have them fade from my memory...

Daisy Utsinger, died in infancy
Carrie Brown, died in late 1980s, was the oldest of all the children, teacher
Hilda Rock, teacher??
Zella Runk, died 1991, tudored me in grade school, teacher
Ruby Stevenson, died late 1990s, nurse
Maxine Reinertson, died a few years ago, OB nurse
and
Howard Utsinger, died at the age of 40something, had faternal twins, farmer

the survivors:
June Stoneking,
Mary Wright,
and
Arthalene Widger

As you can read, they were smart, well-educated people. I hope to be half the person that many of these ladies are/were!

Now, for what else I have been up to...

Annie had her Christmas concert the other noc. I am just so shocked to see these kids so grown up! Many of these kids, she has went to school with since pre-k. I just can't believe they are now in 5th and 6th grade! Many of the girls I know from being the girl scout troop leader.

Annie had a little skit that she had to perform as a part of the show.

This is the 5th grade choir...


This is the whole group together... 5th and 6th grades...


The twins turned 23mo on December 3rd!

I just CAN NOT believe that in ONE little month, my babies, my twins... will be TWO!

JC drug out our tree and with the kids help started to get our Christmas decorations up. I ran around placing window clings on our windows the other day. I had a brillant idea to take Santa's and place him in the kids bedrooms and at the back door where he can watch all the action! The kids and I strung lights, but only after the littlest helpers were in bed!

The kids are so excited! I can't wait to hang the decorations with them tomorrow! The big kids wanted to do it tonoc, but I talked them into waiting until the twins can also participate! They are worried the twins will remove more ornaments than they will hang, but to me that is what makes it very special and mememorable!

I also was the winner of a contest held by Twinfatuation. I received the book "Christmas on Jane Street"

Thank you so much Cheryl! I am enjoying the book so far!

I promise to not go missing for the rest of December! We have lots coming up, Annie and Sammy both have birthdays, so we have birthday parties, treats at school, a trip to visit Santa, and presents to buy. So, stay tuned... I am back... and in full swing of the Holidays!