Presents Abound With Good Cheer...

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas with family and friends. Steph and I got a treat this year...we slept in until 8:30 before opening presents.

We got up, I started a fire (in the fireplace, of course) and then got Shallen & Stephan up. Since they're older, they don't tear through the packages as they did when they were young. We get to sit back, watch and enjoy their expressions as they see the presents for the first time.

After all the opening at our house, we packed up the car with a couple of presents and stopped by my Aunt Pam & Uncle Larry's house where my mom was visiting. We got her a digital photo frame and loaded about 600 pictures for her to sit and watch. It was mostly filled with us (Caron, Jeff, Derek & I) growing up with a lot of pictures of the grandkids and of course dad. We then traveled to Shirley's (Steph's mom) house and presented her with the same gift. It turned into "The Shallen Show" since we didn't have a lot of pictures from Steph's family, most were of Shallen growing up. Of course we made sure and gave Shallen alot of trouble about it, but I think she just ate up the attention. Not to fear...we all get together on Saturday and many pictures are headed our way and onto her thumb drive!

Stephan received about $200 in gift cards (from both his Mom and Steph and I) for Bass Pro Shop and Shallen got $100 to the stores in Zona Rosa (a miniture Plaza in the Northland). Stephan & Shallen are headed to Independence today since all that money is burning a hole in Stephan's pocket.

After work today, I plan to take Stephan to the Sprint store for a new phone (additional present) and Shallen out for cloths (additional present).

My friend Paul and his family are headed back to Tennessee today. Please keep them in your prayers to have safe travels back home.

Plaza Lights

My good friend Paul Turner and his family were to join Steph and I for a walk around the Plaza last night while they were in town from Tennessee! They are staying at his dad's down in Harrisonville. Yesterday, it rained, and rained, and rained. The farther south you were from the city (KC), the colder it was. Needless to say, the streets were icy and not very safe - Paul and I talked a bit on the phone and came to the conclusion that it was best if they stayed put and didn't venture out.

Since we live up north, the street were just wet. Steph and I decided to head down to the Plaza and have a stroll around. We ended up eating at Buca di Bepo, a great little Italian restaurant right in the heart of the Plaza.

Paul and his family plan to head back home Friday morning as Morgan (their youngest) returns to basketball early next week and Shelbi (the college girl) I'm sure wants to catch up with friends since she's home on Christmas break. Steph and I are thinking of running in the Country Music Marathon this year in Nashville and may just pop in on the Turners!

I love this time of year...reaching out to friends and family that I often neglect during the year because of both our busy schedules. I need to do a better job of making myself available for catching up and staying in close communication with those I love. Wishing all of you a very merry Christmas filled with good food, wonderful stories and a gentle reminder that Christ was born to show us the way to His Father. May God bless each of you this holiday season!

Gettin' Some Work Done

This will be a very slow week at work...very quiet. I would anticipate that I will be getting out early each day...just don't tell my boss ;o)

We've been getting a lot of great Christmas cards this last week from some wonderful friends, both old and new! I've even had a blog message or two from folks I haven't heard from for a very long time - great to know that Cheri & Kenny Peoples are doing well in Naples, FL and Paul & Sondra Turner will be in the KC area visiting family and friends from Tennessee. What a terrific time of year to let family and friends know just how much they mean to you. My gift to all of you this year is to let you know just how much you mean to me, everyday! I will do my best to reach out to you and let you know!

Now, to catch up a little: Shallen had a swim meet this last Saturday in Independence at Bridger Middle School. I think we agreed that the farthest school to compete at this meet was Glendale from the Springfield, MO area. It just so happens, my niece Molly (David's daughter) goes to that school. Glendale made a great showing - they should have a lot of girls swimming at state this year. Shallen did pretty well...I think she just enjoys the time with friends and doing a little competing.

Steph and I continued painting on the house while watching the Chief's game yesterday (mostly listening). We're trying to finish the painting and get new carpet by Spring to put the house up for sale. We've found a plan or two that we like and hope to find a lot that fits our needs...a little bit of room would be nice.

Man, it has been so cold the last couple of days. On my way into work this morning, it was 2 degrees. I thank God everyday I have a warm place to work, a car that gets me there and a nice warm home to share with my family...I am truly a blessed man! I look forward to sharing family news with all of you as the new year comes upon us. Have a wonderful Christmas and remember to keep Christ in the midst of your celebrations!

Cold in KC

On my way into work this morning at 6:30, I drive by a rotating sign that gives the time and temperature. This mornings temp registered at 4 degrees. It started yesterday. Steph and I were trying to get some painting done on the house before going over to Shirley's (Steph's mom) house to watch the Chiefs game with her. I walked out to the shed in the back yard, no shoes, shorts & a tee shirt at 9:20 - it was 62 degrees. By 10:10, we needed to stop by the pharmacy at Hy-Vee to pick up Steph's migrane medicine. The temperature had dropped between 15-20 degrees.

By noon, gametime, when we arrived at my mother-in-laws house, it was 30 degrees according to her outdoor gauge. It only got worse from there. By the time Shallen got home from work at 6pm, it was in the teens - that's when the sleet and snow started.

I know this sounds horrible to those who don't like cold, but I figure, if it's going to be this cold, we should have something to show for it. I like to see the snow...I especially like to run in it - just not at 4 degrees.

Tonight, Stephan has his winter Concert at Oak Grove High. This is suppose to be the biggest concert (vocal) of the year. Tomorrow night, Shallen has their winter concert (band) at Platte County High. Saturday, she performed in the District Band Concert - she was 2nd chair.

Have a great week everybody and make sure to get your Christmas shopping done early!

Concert in Lee's Summit

Monday night, Steph and I (with Shirley, my mother-in-law in tow) ventured south from God's country to Lee's Summit, MO to take in a Christmas concert at Lee's Summit North High School. My niece Jessie Mitchell attends LSN and participates in the choir. As you can tell, she is very impressed with her Uncle Steve!

We met up with Jessie's dad and step-mom (Craig and Nedra) along with Steph's sister Kay. It's always a good time to get family members together - especially, to support such a great kid as Jessie!

After the concert, we all stopped by a little Italian restaurant there in Lee's Summit and shared some great stories over coffee and gelato. The night was beautiful and in the upper 50's so it wasn't too bad to be out and about.

The story is, if you're bored with the weather in KC, just wait a few minutes...it'll change. That's exactly what happened. Yesterday, a cold front moved in from the New Mexico area and the temps dropped down in the teens overnight. We had a pretty nasty snow fall with a lot of accidents and the first school closings of the year. Now with a little practice under their belts, most KC drivers will move around town a little slower and smarter.

I started my Christmas cards tonight. I had to stop for awhile to let my hand un-cramp. It looks like it's going to be about 80 this year! As you're Christmas shopping out there this year, remeber to focus on what this season is all about...caring, love and forgiveness; the whole reason Christ came to this Earth just for US!

Photos From The Wedding

Grandpa and Addison taking a minute together!

Stephan & I

The four of us at the front of the church

Wedding...Anniversary...Football - in that order!

Friday night, my oldest, Erin, got married in Independence, MO. She has been dating Ben for about four years, so it was time for them to get married. Ben's a good guy. He takes good care of both Erin and Morgan. Before they cut the cake, Ben gave Morgan a ring and committed to be there for her, always! In a lot of ways, this is the same way Erin & Colby are to me. When I married Debbie back in 1986, I made a similar committment to both the girls. Even though Debbie and I are not together anymore, my relationship with Erin & Colby couldn't be stronger.

Saturday was Steph and my 5th anniversary. What a lucky man I am to have found such a caring and loving wife. We spent the day together and enjoyed one anothers company through a movie (Four Christmases) and a nice lunch together. Shallen went to a Sadie Hawkin's dance that night, so we had that time along as well. What a great day!

Saturday afternoon, MU played OU at Arrowhead. OK, MU didn't exactly play, but they were on the same field. OU's powerful offense made MU look like a high school team. MU will be playing in the Alamo Bowl this year - I don't think they're too upset about making another bowl appearance!

The Chiefs on the other hand didn't play to badly in Denver, but that 3rd Quarter curse continued. They seem to play a fairly solid game up to the point that they come from the locker room after half time. They can't seem to move the ball or make tackles in that 3rd quarter! We also need a strong pass rusher. Cutler had all day in the back field to make plays happen for Denver. Even though it was a loss, you could still see improvement. I'm eager for the draft this year!!!!

It's a Busy Week Ahead...

This past weekend was a blast - spending time with my beautiful wife and just enjoying each other's company. That night we went to see the new movie "Australia!" Great flick...the scenery was terrific! We did some running around on Saturday and did a little painting that night (OK, actually, Steph did the painting. She couldn't wait to try out the new color on the living room walls)

Sunday, while Steph was at Erin's bridal shower, I got to watch my Chiefs finally woop-up on somebody, even if it was the lowly Raiders. I almost wish they'd have lost - you know, get that high first round draft choice and all. As it stands now, there are 3 teams with worse records than KC...I know, it's hard for me to believe too.

Erin, my oldest, is getting married to Ben on Friday. They have been together for 4-5 years and are finally getting hitched. Erin is a very special person to me. When her mom and I were going through the divorce, Erin made sure to let me know that I would alwys be her "Dad" because I had been there when things were tough for her. You know how you hope that those times when you have to be tough with your kids, they'll someday remember that and thank you for not letting up. Erin did that for me when she was in the Navy. She told me I prepared her for all the difficult times and taught her how to overcome the setbacks that the military can throw at you by being stern but loving at the same time. I let her make her own mistakes and take the consequences with them. Whether she knows it or not, that was the hardest thing in the world for me to do. I wanted to scoop her up and not let anything hurt her.

I took care of the catering bill today - I sure hope everyone that shows up is hungry! Wednesday night, Steph and I meet up with her mom and the bridge club for a Christmas party at Zona Rosa...it's going to be a good time. H&R Block is really gearing up for the tax season so things are pretty nutty at work right now. To top it all off, my oldest daught decided to get married - what a blessing children are! When they get older, you gain another close friend!