1-1-11

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

Its a beautiful and VERY cold morning here in Leoti--15 degrees at 11:14. Believe it or not, it is actually a warm wave in comparison to yesterday.

Last night, several of our friends joined us to bring in the new year. We enjoyed Matt's famous enchiladas and our homemade recipe for tacos and refried beans. And, of course, we had to have a bottle of the bubbly.

Last year was a wonderful year for our family. God blessed us with much more than we ever deserved.

Stan celebrated his 10th year as a truck driver for Seaboard Foods. He loves it more and more with every passing day. You simply cannot beat a deal like that! He delivers feed to hogs in Southwest Kansas, Wallace County and occassionally to Oklahoma and Texas. We enjoy the fact that we get to have him at home every night!!! And, of course, I manage to keep him busy at home pretty regularly with honey-do projects around the house.

Adam is doing very well also! He is now 31-years-old. Adam and his wife, Mel, continue to work on their home in Scott City. Adam works as a concrete contractor and in landscape. Right now, he is moving more and more into being self-employed with his knowledge of the two careers. We are very proud of him!!!

Mel is just a doll!!! We could never have asked for a more ideal daughter--in-law! She is the manager of the Pizza Hut salad bar and really enjoys her position there. She and Adam celebrated Christmas with her family in Texas. They spent Thanksgiving with all of us. Tomorrow evening, she and Adam will be celebrating Christmas with all of us!

Leighlyn is now 13 and in the 7th grade. I'll tell you that I have NO idea how our daughters have possible grown so quickly. Somehow, it just does not seem fair... Leighlyn is always on the Honor Roll and enjoys extra curricular activites such as band and sports. Leighlyn has chosen a great group of friends who spend time with us. We all really enjoy that!!!

Abigayle is almost 9 now and is in the 2nd grade. What a girl she is!!! She keeps us hopping! She has one of the absolute best senses of humor that I have ever known! Abi is a straight A student. Both of our girls are so good about helping other kids who tend to struggle in some school subjects and never brag about it. They are just happy to help! Abigayle is also surronded with great friends!!!

I have had a great year also! Being with my family and friends means the world to me. I feel so fortunate that we are so tightly knit together. Personally, I think that we have a bond that most people never get to have. I greatly enjoy getting to connect with YOU!!! You have no idea how much each of you mean to me!!! I continue with my credit bureau court reporter position and as the janitor for two businesses in Wichita County. I greatly appreciate my jobs and enjoy them very much. So many people are having to do without because they have no employment. Again, God has blessed us tremendously...

Well, I would love to wish you, all, a great 2011 filled with an abundance of love and tenderness! May God bless you! Also, don't forget to go out and break your record for helping others around you this year. Remember that we should do this all 365 days per year--not just at Christmas-time. Many people need our love and prayers that only we can give...

Happy 2011!!!

VLE-B