Capital One Bowl

Here we are at the Capital One Bowl Game. Aaron bought tickets for my Christmas present. So excited.

Aaron wearing short sleeved jersey and shorts. Uhhh... didn't he hear the weather report? Rain all day until 7:00 pm. hmmmm....

Yeah, that's the rain, coming down in buckets. And here come the teams with their police escorts.

Police escorts bringing in the teams.

The Penn State Blue band.

The helmets where the teams will come out. Great seats Aaron!!!

There's JoPa!! Leading his team out unto the soggy, muddy field.

Touch Down Penn State!!!

There's the Italian side of Joe Paterno. He was so mad about the placement of the ball. We lost 2 yards on that call. He was a yelling at that ref.

Aaron enjoying the game but freezing none the less.

Half time. The blue band playing to our side of the field while the grounds crew work behind them replacing the divots made by the cleats. Notice the guys with the big buckets. They would come and push in the sod. Too funny.

Getting ready for the team to come back out after half-time. The Penn State Cheerleaders and Nitany Lion.

Soaked to the bone and the wind was gusting. So cold. But man was it a great game. I had no voice for two days afterwards. : )

WE ARE......... PENN STATE!!!

FIELD GOAL!!! Can you find the ball going throught the goal posts?

The fans were on their feet for the last march down the field. We were cheering and screaming. Let me tell you it was a nail biter.

WE WIN!!!! Penn State Beat LSU 19-17. So happy!!!

The Penn State crew!!! We Are.... Penn State Fans!!! Thanks Aaron for a great game.

Getting the MVP trophey. So cool.

Jo Paterno's 26th bowl game win. Not bad for a guy who's been coaching for 44 years. He turned 83 a week earlier. What a legacy to have. He's a guy with a lot of class.

December Happenings

Eden Rae opening her first gift. She shook it and said "There's nothing in this one."

Jullian Scott, Eden Rae and Papa getting ready to open more gifts.

Evan Joseph waiting for everyone to get to our house so that we could open gifts. He loves his Uncle Adam

Uncle Adam and Evan Joseph. What handsome boys.

Anna Council, Teresa and Paul Strickland, Sheila Cannon in the dark, Claude Cannon at the end of the table, Fred and Valerie Nassar, and of course us. Pic was taken by James Council.

There's James. Had to get a picture of James and Anna!! We were so glad we could all come and fellowship together.

Who is that pretty "Pookie Pie?" We sure do love her and miss her tons. Ash bought her these foot pajama's and she loves them. She doesn't like to take them off.

There is my happy smilin' grandson. Layton Cove 7 months old. He is such a lover.

Eden and her Ma'am. I miss her more than anyone knows. I miss our breakfast time, our reading times, our bath times etc... She was my little friend.

One last hug before she had to go. Gram loves her girlie.

Notice his orange face. He had just eaten a whole jar of sweet potatoes. He loved them.

Papa and his Pookie playing Princesses. Dean misses his afternoon playtime with his girl. This has been so painful. Hoping and praying our hearts will be mended this year.

Brother Chuck baptizing our Kelly. I cried of course. It was so meaningful to be able to see it. We all cheered and clapped and scared poor Evan, but he'll understand one day.

yes, that is me with tree limbs stuffed in my shirt. I was a Partridge in the pear tree, so I put on the tree, flapped my wings and cawed, cawed. I guess I should have cooed, but whatever. Everyone loved it.

Well, we were blessed to see our daughter in-law Kelly baptized at Kings Avenue but... out pictures really didn't turn out. Karey Erickson took a couple up in the baptismal so I'm hoping to get a copy of them from her. Kelly was supported by her family and her small group family. We were all so excited to be a part of this wonderful event in Kelly's life.

Adam was awarded MVP of his football team and he received the Captains cup. Both prestigious awards for him. He also received a letter inviting him to a football combine in June in Atalanta GA. He plans on attending and doing his best. We don't know what God has planned for Adam but this is a dream of his so we're very excited.

I went to the ladies Christmas party at Kings Avenue and they made us all play a game. We had to act out the 12 days of Christmas while singing. Everyone had to pick a sheet of paper and that would be your day to act out. Every day had two people to act out except the first day. Well, just my luck, I got the first day. So I had to act like a partridge in a pear tree 12 times. I'm glad that I've worked with Jason and Randy with the youth so I could just be crazy and have fun. Everyone was still razzing me the next morning at church. I'll probably never live it down, but I'm sure no one will be as creative as I was either.

Ashley came by on Monday, December 20th to pick up Adam. It was the first time seeing Ashley since October. Needless to say there was nervousness on my part. We both came out alive and Dean invited their family over for dinner that night. It was awkward for me and I really tried to make sure I didn't do or say anything that would be offensive. I felt like I had a bowling ball in my stomach. I think it was hard on Ashley's family as well. Dean thought everything was great. It was nice to see the kids. I've missed them so much.

Then we got to hang out with some of our good friends at Smokey Bones and just fellowship together. It's neat that some live far away and some more are leaving but to know we will always be friends no matter where we live. God has brought us together for a season and I am so greatful to be able to call these people my friends. The Cannons from North Carolina, the Councils from Knoxville ,TN, the Nassars who are moving to Texas, and the Stricklands who thank goodness are staying here for now. I have laughed, cried and fellowshipped with these folks for 9 years. Thanks guys for loving us!! We sure do love you.

And on Christmas Eve our whole family was together again to open presents. Eden was a joy to watch. She wanted to open all the presents and she couldn't wait. She went around offerring to help everyone open their gifts so that she could open more of hers. Jullian was wonderful as always. He wanted to be Santa and hand out the gifts. He did a great job and I was more than happy to let him take over the job. I think he should do it from now on. Aaron bought him a fishing pole and tackle box. I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face. He was so elated. Definitely the best present of the night. Layton Cove was very sick. He had a horrible fever and was whimpering the entire time. I felt so bad for the little guy. He's trying hard to stand up at the coffee table. He's crawling all over and boy is he fast. Evan Joseph is a sweetheart. He loved holding the wrapping paper. His mama tried to take it away from him, but he cried until we gave it back. Aunt Ashley gave him a Penn State Dinosaur that moved around and his spikes on it's backs light up. But it plays this horrible DISCO song. But Evan absolutely loved it. I made the most amazing appetizers ever. Everyone loved them. Poor Dean had the flu and so he went to be early and when that happened it kind of made everyone uncomfortable so they all left.

And on December 26th Dean was told that they had fired the other regional manager up in Jacksonville and so Dean has all of Florida again for his area. We are both happy and frustrated since this will be a lot of traveling for Dean but it makes more since than to have two regionals for 10 stores. So He'll be very busy because Jacksonville is a hard area to staff. Keep him in your prayers as he'll be going up there at least once a week for the next several months.

I hope God richly blesses your 2010 and I can't wait to be able to blog about all the blessings God provides for our family this coming year. Much love from Dean and I.

Things are still awkward. I'm sure it will take time. I'm trusting in God to take care of it. I'm leaving it at the foot of the cross because I've let it eat at me for far too long. I have to get back to trying to function and not cry at the drop of thinking about missing Ashley and my grandbabies. I'm praying for healing in 2010. I know God can do all things and as 1 Peter 1:6-7 says I'm being refined by the fire. So I'm keeping my eyes and my heart on God. This is a trial and it's only for a time. May God refine me so that I can be a stronger witness for Him in the end of this.

Walk Thru Bethlehem 2009

My first born with his first born. It was 10:45 on Thursday night. 900 people through the city.

The LaFollette's after working in the city with Brother Chuck. Chuck made a comment about Miami and Evan turned and gave him a dirty look and made a noise at him. We all laughed. Go Penn State. He's a Penn State boy.

Evan Joseph after playing Baby Jesus. Is he making an Elvis look? Hmmmm...

Kisses for Papa.

Both boys go straight for Dean's beard. Too funny.

The 3 wise men.

Kelly, Aaron and Evan playing "Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus" during Walk thru Bethlehem 2009"

Our kids having a major role in Bethlehem.

Mike and Rita Woodard as the Inn Keepers

The Brown Family, Kelly, Austin, Conner and Emma in the Jewish Home.

Don Walker the Elder for the city.

Jenn Owens and Ashley Gallops our fruit sellers

Nathan Gallops the guard at the fruit stand.

David Ross as the fish seller. "Stinky"

Scott Whitaker as our tax collector.

Aaron, Evan, Kelly's mama Vanda Borges and Me. Vanda had just gotten home from the United Arab Imerants. She's working over there teaching English as a second language for 2 years. She was helping some of the girls put their head dresses on properly so that they would stay. She knew how they do it over seas so it was fun for her to help out.

Aaron, Kelly, Evan and Grandma Vanda. Evan had fun looking at the animals.

Kelly and her mama. Vanda surprised them at their new home. Kelly didn't know she was coming home. How fun. Aaron opened their front door and there was a lady wrapped up in a Burke and there was a squeal from the living room and BIG tears. Kelly was so happy. Vanda got to be here for her baptism last weekend too. What a joy!

Our friendly, spitting camel. : ) Evan loved him.

Evan checking out the camel.

What a beautiful baby boy. His Granny loves him so much.








We had an exhausting weekend but we couldn't be any happier. We put over 7180 people through the city in the four days. God held off the rain and we only had one night of cold weather. I can't tell you how smooth the nights went. We had to have had enough guides because there really wasn't any late nights. Dave Gallops did a great job running the city. Dean got to take Kevin Gentzler through the city with his pastor and youth pastor. They are debating on whether to do Bethlehem up where they are. Dean was thrilled to be able to guide them through the city and answer any questions they had. I was going to work all four days but I got a migraine on Sunday and it lasted the entire week. On Friday night when we got to Church I asked Dean to give me a shot. That shot just about sent me to the hospital. I got so sick I can't even begin to explain it. My whole body stiffened up. Scared me to death. Praising God for Eric Erickson. He was able to get someone to cover most of my shifts. Thanks just doesn't seem like enough. But by Sunday I was able to finally make it into the city to work and I got to do something new this year. I worked the metal booth. So I closed the city on Sunday and had a great time. God truly blessed Kings Avenue with a great group of workers. Everyone really went out of their way to make this a wonderful experience. I'm so excited we get to do this every year. What a great way to give back to the community.

I volunteered to make some soup for the workers at Bethlehem. So on Thursday I made my famous Potato, ham, corn chowder. I made 4 gallons of it. There were 5 different soups. Mine was the largest pot and the rest were in crock pots and regular soup pans. Well, at the end of the night mine was gone and literally there were two people trying to scrape out the rest of it and everyone else's crock pots were still half full. So Friday night I made another 4 gallon pan of my mushroom broccoli chowder. When I walked in with my pan people were following me saying that's the pan that had the potato soup so they know what was in there was going to be great. Jim Niblett put out all of the leftover soups and my huge pan and once again my soup was completely gone. Scraped clean. So I didn't work on Saturday due to my headache so when I came in on Sunday with a box with throw away pans people were following me wanting what I made. Well, when they found out they were desserts they were really disappointed until they tasted them and then they were asking for more of what I had brought. So I guess I'm still the reigning cook at Kings. : ) Or at least the soup queen and Scott Whitaker calls me the dessert queen. So.... I am smilin' and braggin' a little in this post.