School is over for another year!! No one could be more

excited then the teacher. :)

Girl's club

I just totally love this picture!! Morgan, Trista, and Erica at Girl's club.

ice fishing

We tried icefishing...... it didn't work!!!! I don't think I want to make a career of it. The youth went a few Saturdays ago. It was very cold, and no one caught anything. We left early :) Some of them are trying to convince me to try again.... we'll see.

Hannah and Becky's Birthday

Some of us girls had a surprise Birthday party for Hannah and Becky. They turned 21 on Jan. 21. We thought that was cause for celebration!!!! It was so much fun! We took them to Holiday Inn for supper, then gave them gifts. Becky was really surprised, but Hannah (always the curious one) sort of guessed there would be a party...

Dents

Ok What an unexpected day!!! My plans were to sleep in until I felt like getting up, and then head into the library, and do some research. Totally relax, and do nothing of great importance. Ralph calls at 7:00. He and Kyle were on their way to Duluth to go skiing for the day, and his car broke down... he needs help! So Mom comes and says can you go help him. Ok sure.... So I jump out of bed ready to make a dash for Virgina. Only to discover it's -35* and my car was not plugged in. So.... an hour later I'm on the road. I decided to go ahead and take them to Spirit Mountain, sit in the lodge with Jolene's lap top, and get my stuff done. When I finally get to Virgina I discover that they decided to buy new tires (they had two flats) and I didn't need to come down after all. (ok thanks!) But I'm this far and I have some other friends who are skiing so sure why not keep going, and hang out and have fun. We decide to leave his car, and take mine. While driving through a parking lot, I waited for this old man to cross the road when suddenly crunch!!!!! this truck crashes ino the side of my car leaving a large dent and a broken mirror. The driver was a very sweet lady, and she appoligized and gave me her name number and insurance card. So it should all turn out ok hopefully. It could have been worse, but if only I would have stayed in bed!!!

no dents

Hannah, Twila and I went to Bemidji last Saturday to do some Christmas shopping. It was great fun being together, and making memories. The weather was not the greatest, and some (mostly the Mothers) thought we were a little risky to drive 2 hours one direction on questionable roads just for shopping. It actually wasn't as bad as they were saying it could be. They were calling for 5 inches of snow, and we might of got two. We spent lots of money. I found a very nice winter coat. We went to Perkins for lunch, and on our way home we had one last stop at Caribou Coffee.
The roads on the way home were a little icy, but not too bad. About 30 min from home there is a section of bad bumps. My car is really low, and hits these bumps with great bangs and jolts. So I was trying to slow down for these. Well, need less to say, I forgot the roads were a little icy, and slammed on the brakes a little too late. We did some cute curly q's and landed in the ditch. We had to wait a while for my Dad to come get us out. The snow was very deep, I couldn't open my door. So we sat there, and waited getting a little chilled. It was kind-of exciting actually. About 5 cars stopped and asked if we were ok, which we were. Lester (Hannah's dad) came first and started digging us out, then a State Patrol came by and stopped. He didn't even talk to me, I was amazed. My dad finally came, and they started the tedious process of digging and pulling. 45 min after hitting the ditch, we were pulled out. There wasn't a scratch or bump on my car. AMAZING!
I'm beginning to think I have a tough car. Earlier this fall I hit a deer, and killed it. Not a scratch, the only thing I could find was hair stuck in my lights. Now the ditch, and not a dent!

God showed me an amazing thing this last week. How many times do I take for granted little simple things that I think I have to have? I was very sick last weekend for about 5 days. It was only strep, and I'm slowly getting back to normal health. But honestly how many times do I live from day to day with out thinking of my health, without thinking of the strength I have to wash a table, comb my hair, erase a test, or play a game? How many times do I stop and thank God for good health, and the strength to do simple things I enjoy? I don't! It's not until I'm sick do I realize how much life depends on good health. It's not until I'm sick do I start thanking God for health. And as God showed me that, I started thinking more... and then shared this for school devotions.

*We aren't thankful for the heater in our car until the heater in the car quits working.

*We aren't thankful for the small job of sweeping the floor until we are asked to clean the bathroom.

*We aren't thankful for the annoying dog that barks all night until the dog is discovered missing.

*We aren't thankful for the good meal we had yesterday until we are made to eat something else today that makes us gag.

*We aren't thankful for our clothes until a little brother wore a favorite sweater to take out the trash.

*We aren't thankful for the little brother who wore the favorite sweater until the little brother is deathly ill.

*We aren't thankful for water until we run out.

*We aren't thankful for the mixer, coffee maker, vacuum, or computer until they are broken.

*We aren't thankful for Mom who works day and night to make me happy, until Mom is sick and has to stay in bed.

*We aren't thankful for the blankets on our bed until Mom decided to wash them all only to discover at bed time, that they are still wet.

*We aren't thankful -- until what we have is threatened to be taken away.

Is that true thankfulness?