Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Snowflake Parade

Down town is bedecked in lights...

Windows dazzle....

A crisp temperature indeed!

Window mannequin!

Bundled and waiting for the runners.

Jordan ran in the Snowflake Mile...that takes place just before the parade.

Gma and Lindsey

Jordan so cold...almost looks homeless!

Klamath Pelican....this ones for you, Isaac!

We laughed at his load!

The Merrill flag

My favorite float...the eyes moved because they were attached to the wipers!

My favorite Jordan!

The pooper scoopers who followed the horses....tuxedos by Bogotays!


Must be a Christian motorcycle gang!

Amie with Andy and Ben.

Target!

Police on dirt bike!

Monday, December 14, 2009

For All our Blessings, we thank YOU, LORD!



What a houseful of FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD, and FUN! The house was bursting at the seams with 40 people...the children outnumbered the adults, 23 to 17. And the NOISES that could be heard spanned from wonderful adult chat times, catching up on each others lives, to laughing, crying, shouting, singing! It was a day to remember. Thank you Tyler, Ana, and Isaac for being here with us. We love you so much, and thank God for you! Joy, Janine and Jodi...what fun to have you all here. Your families have bloomed since we were last ALL together! What a rich family heritage we have enjoyed....always big get-togethers at Gpa Balsbaughs. Yes, they can be hectic, but such an important part/memory for our families to continue as is possible! But the most important part is that we have a heavenly father, who has allowed us to be brothers and sisters in Christ...which is infinitely more important than our earthly relationships, as special as they are!

PS. I missed getting pictures of many of you here that day! I am sorry! And my one regret, as hard as it might have been, was that we didn't corral the kids in one spot and get their picture!














Friday, December 11, 2009

Jordan's 18th Birthday

Jordan's day was a quiet family dinner, tucked in between football game playoffs and Thanksgiving. Paul did some awesome steak and shrimp! I just cannot believe my baby boy is 18. If there were some way to roll back the clock and enjoy it some more, I WOULD! Jordan entered our world a few days before Thanksgiving...a beautiful head of black hair. He was the perfect happy baby, if there is such a thing. At a time, when Paul had recently been laid off from Motorola....money was not there....he was our Christmas gift!

EAT uP!

Sophie's got the growl on!

Am I doing this right, Travis? =}


A week or so later, we celebrated Mom and Jordan's birthdays together, WITH CAKE!

Amie's first taste of Martinelli's. Kinda nippy!

Lunch at Sarah's...

To two very special people in our lives! May the Lord bless you with many more years and the strength to serve Him!








Jordan does pretty well for just plinking around on the guitar.

REady or not world, here comes Nathan!

Amie takes a STAB at feeding baby....oops, she missed!

Better aim the next time!

Sophie got all decked out in Emma's dress-up stuff!

Nathan and Jordan...checking each other out....making eyes!

and, making NOISES at each other!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Streams in the Desert...December 5

"Many people want to direct God instead of surrendering themselves to be directed by Him. They want to show Him the way instead of submissively following where He leads." Madame Guyon

I said, “Let me walk in the field”;
God said, “No, walk in the town”;
I said, “There are no flowers there”;
He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”



I said, “But the sky is black,
There is nothing but noise and din”;
But He wept as He sent me back,
“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”



I said, “But the air is thick,
And smog is veiling the sun”;
He answered, “Yet souls are sick,
And your work is yet undone.”



I said, “I will miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say”;
He answered me, “Choose tonight,
If I am to miss you, or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given;
He said, “Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the field,
Then set my face to the town;
He said, “My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”


Then into His hand went mine,
And into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light Divine,
The path I had feared to see.

- George MacDonald