Welcome, 2011!

Lord, help me to stay on the journey in search of you.

Help me when I am tired

Help me when I've lost my way.

Help me when the destination is not clear.

Help me when discouraging voices crowd out my hopes.

Lord, help me to stay on the journey with the sure knowledge

that you wait for me and are my final destination.  Amen

A new year!  A new start!  But isn't each day we are given a beginning?  Looking back over the past year,  there were many highs and lows, joys and sorrows, peace and turmoil.  I breathe a sigh of relief.  I have been given this day, and this day only.  I don't know the future, only now.  I leave my future in God's hands, as only He knows what His plans are for me. 

As many of us do each year, these are my resolutions:

Physically:  be healthy by good eating habits, exercise, losing 10% of my body weight

Spiritually:  start a prayer journal, daily readings of scripture, daily Mass, daily rosary
Financially:  To be completely out of debt this year, except for house                       

Goals:  To do all things with joy, even routine chores, to think of others before me, to enjoy travels with Earl, keep in touch with all my children, try to get all birthday gifts out on time, to always

be grateful for each day I am given, for family, and friends.

Noel, Noel!

Teach Us to Be Peacemakers

God of all creation,

bring justice and peace to our world.

Teach us to be peacemakers,

Guide us in our pursuit of justice and the common good.

Inspire us to welcome all, forgive all, and love all.

Direct us as we walk in the shadow of Jesus;

the way, the Truth, and the Life.

Inspire us to percrive the world through your eyes,

that we might find hope and joy each day.  Amen



We celebrated Christmas with half of the family this year, as the out-of-staters couldn't be with us physically, but always here in spirit.  Our theme this year was "Pajama Party".  I wanted a relaxed, fun, comfortable gathering, and if some of the ones could come next year, we'll do a country theme then.

So, we all wore our pajamas, or comfort clothes, served appetizers, wings, turkey sandwiches, creme-filled cupcakes, cookies, rice krispie wreaths, fudge, punch.  Of course, there were games to be played, movies to watch, with popcorn, presents to be opened, and sleep overs.  Here are some photos:

The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care

The Christmas tree was decorated, and the manger was displayed

Santa arrived with gifts for the Gorts

Nevie and Aidan are excited to see the many presents

Finally getting to open the presents

Family gathering around the food in the kitchen

The Swansons, Lorrie announced she was carrying #4 at Thanksgiving, and is due July 14th.

Grandchildren eating on the sunporch, all in their pj's.

Liam enjoying his food, too.

Courtney and Cassidy, part of the Viking cheerleaders

Sharyn, with Raquel, and Cory

Opening gifts

The Pajama LeBons

Love the Gorts PJ's

Grandpa with spiderman sawyer

trying to get a group picture of grandchildren, This is only half of them.

The Swansons in their pj's

I love this picture of Nevie.

Sharyn, and girls

God created us as a family to be in relationship and communion with you and with one another.

Help us to always reflect in our lives the same love that united the Holy Family.

Teach us respect and appreciation for our dfferences, and make us one in you.  Amen.

Fall & thanksgiving, 2010

You've blessed me with friends

and laughter and fun

With rain that's as soft

as the light from the sun-

You've blessed me with the stars

to brighter each night

You've given me help

to know wrong from right

You've given me so much

please, Lord, give me too

a heart that is always

Grateful to you.   Irish Blessing

We gathered here with the Swansons, Gorts, and Stutelbergs in spirit.  Sharyn ended up with tire problems, and couldn't make it to our house.  Actually, it was a nice size, instead of an overabundance of people.  I'm not complainning about that, but as our family increases, our house is getting smaller and smaller.

right before Thanksgiving, we got to see Jonnie in his first orchestra concert.  He plays the base fiddle.  It's bigger than him.

We also went to the dome twice to watch Courtney and Cassidy in play-offs for State Champions of soccer.

They played hard, won the play offs, and now it was down to the last game for Champs.

YES, They claimed the State Championship for the Elks Royals Hight School.  Cassidy paid a price for it,, though, by being hit in the upper stomach, defending the goal area, and ended up at Hennepin Co. Hospital by ambulance.  They thought she may have internal bleeding.  Thankfully, after doing an ultrasound, she didn't have any bleeding or broken bones, but a bruised liver, which was very painful.

Good to see Raquel there with bf, Joe.

Before Fall ended, I went up North to Nisswa with Ruth and Terri for a girlfriend weekend.  We stayed at Ruth's sister's cottage on Round Lake.  Beautiful views of the lake, shopping, relaxing, playing Farkle, drinking wine, and margiritas.  Ah, nice!

Liam helped me get ready for all the company for Thanksgiving.

Liam had a ball exploring the house, up and down the stairs, hundreds of times.  Poor Mom!

Alaina helping by stuffing the celery.

The Cousins!

Ready to eat!

Thanksgiving dinner!



Maryland Vacation, Sept-Oct., 2010

We were home for about a month when we packed up, this time with our camper, and two dogs, and headed back to Maryland.  Earl had his navy ship reunion in Alexandria, Va the end of September.  Sandie and Jim wanted to celebrate their anniversary by the ocean, but now with the children in their custody, they had a dilemna about who would take care of them.  Since we were coming out, I offered to come early in the month, and stay @ their place while they were gone.  It gave us a chance to get aquainted with my niece and nephew. 

While there, we watched Mara ice-skate, for her lessons.  She is doing amazingly well, so much more than the last time we saw her in January.

Mama Julie and Rose @ the rink.

We had a picnic lunch after skating in the park nearby.

We went the first saturday there, to Hampstead, with Kyle and Becky, to watch Analese, and Mara play soccer.  It was so cute watching them play.  Greg is an  assistant coach for the team.

Taking a snack break.  It was a little cool but sunny that day.

Rose is such a happy little clown,  she was such a delight to be around.

Rose showing us her biking skills

Mara playing in yard