Happy Birthday, My White Knight

Jim is my knight in shinning armor. He always has been. So in honor of his birthday, I dedicate this blog to him. Little Jimmy was born early in the day that New Year's Eve so long ago. He has made an impact on a lot of lives along the way. He was the cutest little boy!


His first love was a sweet little black girl named Annie...and her brother Bear.

His favorite memories revolve around his family...especially his grandparents. You never saw such devotion as this little red-headed boy had for his Grandma. If you ask him today who his hero's are...Grandpa is always at the top of the list.
After all our years together, you never fail to surprise and amaze me with your ability to grow and change. You are a wonderful Dad and I am proud to be your wife. I hope your birthday is GREAT!!

Hello, Record Snow Fall

This is one record I can do without breaking. In 1927 the record was set with 29 inches of snow for December. As of this morning we hit a whopping 30 inches and counting. Oh well. I didn't ask for any of this snow. I don't see why I should have to shovel any snow that I didn't specifically order. And even if I did get right out there and shovel...it's still snowing. We have already decided that since we will be down one shoveler next snow season (Kevin...we will miss your strong back and young muscles) that come this spring we ARE buying a snow blower. I just hope there are some left in the stores come spring...or a bit later in the snow season at any rate.

This is a 12 inch ruler stuck in the shallowest part of the snow on my driveway. It measures at 11 inches. In the other parts of my driveway the ruler disappears. If I were to look on the bright side of this...well...I can't find one. Actually a bright spot just appeared...nope not a retinal detachment...one of our neighbors is snow blowing my driveway!!! I am so happy. Well, I have to go now and thank this mystery neighbor.

Time To Kill

So, we were at church for a total of 7 hours today...including drive time. That really isn't unusual. I was so thankful Jo brought her new camera for us to play with. We were able to kill a little time playing around. Here's a bit of what we did....hehehehehehahahahaha....Good times...

Made It

Well, I am having mixed feelings about the end of the Christmas hoopla. I do love the lights and colors...the sights and smells...the music...aaahhhh. But I will admit I am glad to be done with another "first-without Mom milestone". It wasn't the hardest thing I have ever done...but not something I would wish on anyone. WAH...I know. There are people all over the world that have to deal with a whole lot worse every day. But here in my own little world, Christmas without my Mom seemed like a pretty tough pill to swallow. Of course she was here in Spirit. I know she was...I felt her here. I put on a vest that she used to wear, before she got sick, and I put my hand in the pocket and found a bunch of her tissues (Mom never went ANYWHERE without a pocket full of tissues...the soft ones). It was a nice reminder that she is watching over me, but of course, it made me miss her even more. So as I sit, surrounded by the twinkling lights and torn paper I can breathe a sigh of relief and know that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger...and apparently I'm to be cast in the fire a few more times because I am still too weak to be considered a finished project. So as I prepare to be molded and fired and strengthened as steel I pray I can do it with the courage and dignity that my Mom showed in her own life. God Bless

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in our family has always been an all day event. When the kids were little we would hang out with my Mom and Dad and sisters during the day. We would eat pizza and have crackers and cheese and just enjoy the anticipation of the night to come. The kids would begin to bug us about opening their Christmas Eve gift (until they figured out it was ALWAYS going to be pajamas) at about 6:00. We would pull the special gift out from under the tree and have the kids put on their jammies and we'd head out to look at the Christmas light displays around town. Then with it being so close to bed time we'd throw a Christmas movie in the VCR and let them watch and then off to bed.
Today was a bit different...aside from all that is missing...I decided to mix it up a bit. Maybe it won't be so noticeable if EVERYTHING is different. I cooked (wearing the apron my Grandma made for me) all afternoon...I made all our Christmas favorites...ham, cheesy potatoes (a.k.a. funeral potatoes), rolls, raspberry jell-o salad (in my Great-Grandma's bowl) and I attempted the yummy yams that Jim's Mom makes (didn't work out so well). We invited our friend John over for dinner because he doesn't have any family in town. After we took him home we went driving around looking for the best light displays. We made quick work of that and headed home to get into our jammies.

(I just told them they're on the naughty list)
Now we are just hanging out waiting for it to be time for bed. Aside from a few moments of tears and longing for Christmases past...today has been a good day full of new traditions and fun memories. We are thankful for the birth of the Savior and the possibility of eternal life through him.I think they have seen "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey a few too many times.

2008 In Review

Since I didn't put a letter in my Christmas cards this year...too much happened for one stamp...I have decided to put my letter to friends and family on my blog. So...here goes...

Dear Friends and Family,
We hope as this letter finds you, it finds you and yours healthy and happy. We are enjoying the Season of Giving this year from the comforts of home. While we do miss seeing our families for Christmas, this has given us the opportunity to focus on the reason for the season and appreciate the gift of the New Born King.
Here are some highlights from the previous 12 months:
January-We went to Disney World with Michelle and Kim and all our families.

We had a fabulous time...but only because my Mom threatened to be really mad if we didn't.
-We didn't love the LONGEST cold snap we have EVER experienced.
-I (Lori) made plans to visit Mom and Dad at the end of February.
February-I changed my plans to see Mom and Dad and arrived late on the 11th...in time to sing Happy Birthday to my Mom.
-Too many gentle reminders of God love to count.
-My Mom passed away on the 14th...I never did like Valentines Day anyway.
-I stayed in Idaho until March to help Dad.
March-I started working in the lunchroom at the high school for 4 hours a day at the computer. It was an OK job...just crappy hours.
April-Jim and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.
May-Kevin graduated from high school (WOOHOO!!!)
Jim started to be the "go to guy" for SaraLee. He traveled to Hastings, NE every other week and stayed for a week to help put that plant back on it's feet.
-I finished my job at the high school and decided to be just on the sub list.
June-We drove home to Idaho to visit.
-Kev celebrated his birthday there with all our family.
-Jo and I got to stay in Idaho while the guys came home to go back to work.
July-Jo and I came home
-Jim stopped traveling so much for work.
-My Dad and Lacey came to visit. We took them fishing and we had such a good time.
-Jim's parents came to visit. We fished and Doug helped Jim with some projects around the house.
We played on the boat a lot too. We loved having them visit.
August-My niece Cylie Jorgie (Mom's initials...cute, huh!) was born on the 20th.
-Kevin started college.
September-Jo started high school (we now have 2 freshman in the house...weird!!)
-Jo turned 15 and is so excited to be half way to 20 ( seriously, this kids rocks. She makes us laugh every day). -I flew home to see Cylie and Kim (and the rest of the family, of course)
-It was a short visit and on the way home the man in the seat next to me died.
-Kids like school.
-Jim loves his job (as much as one who just wants to retire can possibly love a job).
October-Jo started bowling on a youth league.
-Jim had another steroid injection in his back (so far so good).
November-I subbed a lot in kindergarten...I LOVE it...weird.
-We got to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving. My Mom's side of the family had a big bash...so fun.
-We visited all our families and made lasting memories.
December-What can I say about December...
-It has snowed more than 2 feet.
-Jo is itching to get out on her snowboard.
-Kev is looking forward to the next semester of school.
-Jim is tired of me whining about the cold.
We think of you all often and wish you would come and visit. As of right now we are planning a summer send off for our missionary (YAY KEV!!) Summers here are wonderful and we always have room for visitors.
Have a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy. Love, The Reader Family