Christmas

I have always loved the holidays. They are exciting. Something different is bound to happen that is new and can be remembered for years to come. Memories that can be opened up all year long to brighten a day that is not so special or comfort a heart that is hurting.

Holidays have been very different since we brought our three little boys into our family. These days are difficult for them. When we are looking forward to fun as in the past they are sometimes looking back to pain at the holidays or people they miss. We put up the decortations and celebrate the birth of our Savior and hope that the love we have will seep through the cracks in the walls of pain they live behind.

Money is always a worry around Christmas. Yesterday ,while hanging some holly leaves Zachary had colored and cut out, I was beginning to worry about the mighty little dollar and God told me that if I worried about what I don't have I will certainly miss the parts of Christmas that aren't presents under the tree. Of course He is right. So much of what I love about the Season is not for sale. Watching Christmas movies with the family, baking cookies, helping the little ones to make decorations or gifts, driving out to look at the light displays, decorating the house and watching videos of past Christmas celebrations don't require much if any money and are all part of the fabric of the holidays. The trick is to not let what I don't have or can't do get me down but to enjoy the everyday of Christmas. Maybe someone else reading this will be able to add to my list of what there is to enjoy in this season of His birth. I would love hear how others celebrate.

Dianna Momma in the Handbasket

My Ride

After a year of being car less, I am the owner of a 1996 Roadmaster Wagon!!
I am so thankful for this car. I am thankful for my husband who knew how much I needed transportation. It is a perk of the job of wife and mother. I could live without it but my job is so much easier with a vehicle. I needed something to haul kids, dogs and groceries comfortably . This car is just the ticket...oh maybe that wasn't the best choice of words.
My first trip in the Wagon was to Iowa to see the Potter family. Driving is so much fun in this car ...like driving from a recliner.. God is good and absolutely dependable in meeting our needs...sometimes even our wants...

Long Time No See

Now that the holidays are over and life is returning to the day to day grind, I feel the need to update this sadly neglected blog. For the two of you who follow the happenings in the Handbasket I am sorry to have been so neglegent. Sometimes I just can't seem to put it in words. Sometimes I think I just can't tell people that. Sometimes it just seems so much everyday happenings that I wonder why would you want to read about it. The first picture is a hat I knitted for Brittney and Kelly's new baby due in May. I am kind of crazy about cables since recently learning how simple they were.

The pictures are representative of what I have been busy with. Janna and Morgan like the fingerless gloves. They are nearly as difficult as they first appeared.

I like doing things like this for these girls because they do more for me than I can ever thank them for.

Random Pictures of Life as it Happens in the Basket

Move over Harry Potter!

KayLynn can work a pair of bright green rubber boots and a St. Louis Cardinals hat. Even her Mom thinks so.
Mr. Mouth , Mr. Mouth..anyone remember playing this game. I am sure I bought this at a thrift store.

Vivi modeling the latest in Allis Chalmers hat and hot pink rubber rain boots.

Somewhere in this picture is Morgan graduating from a week long internship program at the Family Life Fellowship Church. It was a week of helping in different jobs throughout the church . She also had fun swimming and hanging out with peers for a week. Through the year she will use what she learned in service on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. At the end of this service something like ten young people were baptized into the Body of Christ. What a great event to be at. God is good.

Jack is 7!!!

Jack recently celebrated his 7th birthday. He had Texas cake with his family at home.

Mother's Day 2009

I was so blessed to have all my kids with me this Mother's Day. I want to thank all of my children for making me a Mom. On the days when the road is hard and long and the laundry smells bad I remember days like this and it is all worth while.....well most of it.

But the one I want to thank the most is their father. The man I have loved for 22 years. Without you there would be no family for me to care for.

St. Louis Science Center

Winter is a great time for a trip to the St. Louis Science Center. The weather was great and the crowds weren't excessive. I got to see the Omnimax Theater for the first time. Zach learned that you can be operated on and not know what is going on. KayLynn, Vivi, Morgan and Britt played in the Discovery Room. Don didn't get lost one time. All in all a great trip.

Can you tell how much fun Morgan was having? Sometimes a mom with a camera is a terrible thing.

Archery

Morgan's First Archery Competition

On Saturday Morgan competed in a state archery tournament in Moberly. She won a second place ribbon in her division. She has been practising archery since the spring of 2008. This was Morgan's first archery competetion.

Zachary is 9!!!

Zachary had a birthday on the 8th. He had cake and presents following supper. Here are some pictures of the event.

It is nice to have older siblings who will help you/play with your new toys.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2008 was by far the least eventful and nice Thanksgiving since 2004 when we started doing foster care and first had two of our three adopted boys home for the holidays. Wow!!! has it been a wild ride!! I wouldn't trade 'em for a barrel of monkeys ...on a day when I could tell which were the monkeys.

We didn't have any company this year per my request. After having the sweet granddaughters for three weeks and Don gone nearly every weekend we needed a quiet holiday. So, here are some pictures from the Thanksgiving dinner.

Morgan is about to turn me out of the kitchen. She can cook pretty much anything needed. Here she is making pie. Can you see the flour evidence.

We gave the camera to someone under 10 years of age so you get Morgan scowling and me eating.


Who had ketchup on my Thanksgiving dinner? KayLynn wasn't present so it must have been Janna!!


Caught licking the mashed potatoes.Yum! Yum!

Janna wanted apple pie. She is learning to core the apples. She was very proficient at the end of six apples.

I asked Don to carve the turkey. I am not sure why I do this each year. I am sure I can do it since , I am always at his shoulder giving advice. It just seems like a man-of-the-house thing to do.

What is up with the air bubble in this pie? I ate this part just to make sure it was ok. lol What I sacrifice for my family.

Thank You, Lord God, for all you have given and kept from our family this year. You are good beyond our understanding. Each day we depend on You for the strength to live in the plan You have made for us and to be You in the flesh to all those around us.