Merry Christmas from the frozen farm...

Read it again...it says frozen farm...not funny farm!!!!

We made it thru these past rounds of freezing rain...only lost our electricity three times over the past weekend, but we've been good ever since 2:30 Saturday afternoon. We did get to see Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the U.S. Cellular Center in Bloomington on 12/20. It was a "warm and quiet" concert. Many Christmas songs, they talked, more songs, and we all sang Christmas carols together at the end. (My only complaint is the seats there...not very comfortable at all.)

And, if there is a little room on your prayer lists, please add a couple of requests. My brother Dan (who lives in Colorado) lost his job after 25 years. But at least he got 8 months of severance pay while he tries to decide what to do next. To add to the situation, his wife, Lisa, just lost her stepdad in Texas on Saturday, and Matthew (Dan & Lisa's oldest son) is having a bad bout with gall stones. They could all use a few more people lifting them up in prayer right now.

Celebration news!...my twin nieces Sarah & Amanda graduated (last Saturday) from Western Illinois University; both graduated with their Bachelor Degree in "Studio Art and Music Business". They had their own art show on December 16th at Macomb; didn't get to go because of the weather; hope to see pictures on Christmas Day.

We're anxious to celebrate Christmas with three grandchildren! The presents are wrapped and under the tree, food is being prepared to share with family, and just enjoying the tree as it sparkles with all the lights. Remember the reason for the season...the Christ child came for you and for me. Happy Birthday Jesus!!

John & Joanne

More pics...

Rett's First Birthday

Rett is now a year old; yesterday he had both sets of grandparents, five great-grandparents, and his aunt Beth, uncle Craig, cousins Colby and Cale helped him celebrate his first birthday. Jen made a monkey cake; she did a great job. There were even cupcakes that had little monkeys on them. He received some new toys, clothes, a radio flyer wagon, and a new plate made by his mommy. Beth and Craig were down for the weekend. Grandma Jo babysat Saturday so that they could go xmas shopping. John and I sang in our annual Christmas cantata at church on Sunday morning, then went to celebrate with Rett. Just about got all the shopping done; just need to do a few more things. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

It's December and it's cold !!!

Colby making her first cut out Christmas cookies. She even has her apron on!! I have a future baker on my hands.

We've had at least 5-6 inches of snow. It's blowing and drifting. Tonight the wind is really blowing. John harvested the last 12 rows of corn Saturday before it snowed Saturday night. We've been richly blessed this year by the high prices for corn and soybeans, but, of course, they've also gone way down now. But....the price of fertilizer has not. We just got our last bill and the price has gone up about 400%...that's right I said 400%. So all that good money we made on soybeans and corn this summer...it's a good thing we saved it...is now going to pay for the fertilizer for next year. That's how it goes!!!

Family news on my Dad...he was scheduled for knee replacement surgery December 12th but that now has been postponed. His blood was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down; his hemoglobin was at a 6 when we took him to the hospital about a week before Thanksgiving. He had gone into BroMenn to have pre-op blood work done when the hospital called his Doctor; the doctor put him in the hospital right away. He ended up being given 4 units of blood. I knew he had been looking really tired and had no energy but I blamed it on him not wanting to walk on his knee. He's looking much better now. New operation date is pending upon how his blood builds itself back up in the next four weeks.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend. Mom & Dad, Beth's family, Jen's family, and our friend Kevin Niles came out for supper that night. Brit and Jen celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day also. Then the next day Beth & Jen & I made Christmas cookies and candy. Everyone had goodies to take home. Mr. Rett stayed all night at grandma Jo's house so Mom & Dad could celebrate their anniversary; they were also able to put up their Christmas decorations without any help from Rett.

I was able to get up my decorations Saturday afternoon just in time before the snow. Still don't have the Christmas tree decorated but it's up and plugged in! Judy Sullivan and I were going to go Christmas shopping Monday, but that got postponed till next Monday in hopes of better weather. It really was a good thing because my shopping list was not in good shape; hope it'll be ready next Monday.

Hope everyone is doing well and had a good weekend, and that you'll be able to get out and get your Christmas shopping done.

Joanne