At the beginning of this year we were looking for a car for Jordan, and she had a crush on Michael. Hannah had just started playing keys in youth, and my mom had renal failure and I began testing to be a donor.
Now, Jordan obviously has a car, and has Michael. Hannah is still playing keys in youth, and just today was asked to play lead keys on Sunday morning in the adults services to fill in for someone who is sick. She is VERY excited and she knows it's an honor to be trusted with such a responsibility. She has come so far this year in her talent. And has even added guitar to her list of skills. And my mom, is on the road to complete healing. No donor necessary.
God is good, all the time.
I am thankful for a year of progression. And am hesitantly excited about 2012. It will be a big year. Hannah will turn into a driver, Jordan and I should be going to Thailand, and then late summer, we have to face sending her off to college. Can't say I'm excited about that part. But God has been all over this year, as He will the next. I think the coming year will force us all to grow in every area, especially growing closer to Him.
I'm grateful for all of you and hope you have a blessed New Year.

<3 Shileen

 We went to my moms cabin in Utopia today, to go shooting. Josh and I and the girls and Michael met up with Mom and Steve. We had a pretty good arsenal of guns. For the most part everyone had their weapon of choice that they excelled at. 22's, 380's, revolvers, 9mm's rifles, etc.. We girls, I have to say, can shoot! It was a very fun day and exceptionally wonderful weather for this time of year. Aside from the cedar of course.

So I haven't posted in a while, like for real, a while. One, it's the holiday season, two I have been really sick. I feel like just today I came out of my sick coma. I half feel like I missed Christmas. I do remember Jordan getting ice skates and a nice underwater camera, and Hannah getting a new keyboard. I got Josh an El Capistan guitar pedal. BUT I, I got the worlds BEST beach cruiser bicycle! It is so stinkin cute.  

Well I rode it today cause I couldn't stand it sitting there much longer, and that was probably a mistake. I bit off more than I could chew because I was STARTING to feel better. I rode 3 miles before nearly collapsing my sick lungs. But man, it was awesome  :) 

Last night some of the boys came over for the first Spurs game of the season. They won, and from the sound of it they all had a great time. But I was in bed. Trying not to die. And reading The Hunger Games. Excellent book, very captivating. I finished it, so I had to go get the 2nd one today. 

Tomorrow is clean up day. Decorations are coming down.

Friday we're all going to Utopia to go shooting at my Mom's cabin. Really looking forward to that, and the weather should be beautiful. Josh is off all week and has been working on cleaning out the garage.

At the moment Josh is helping Chase root his Nook(that sounds funny), then we're watching Apollo 18. 

So goodnight to all, and I hope you've had a Merry Christmas. I'll talk to you before New Years for my final post of the year before shipping this thing off for its annual printing.

Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen

Took the girls and some friends to see the lights in Johnson City last night

My favorite tree. This is why I planted it.

Had fun with my girls and the fog yesterday

Birthday was kinda crazy with the weather, Josh being sick, and being in  a car wreck. We were sitting at a stop light waiting for it to turn green when all of a sudden we hear these tires locking up and skidding, then all of a sudden, wham! Right into the back of us, going about 20-25mph. No one was hurt, just kinda sore necks, and the girls were pretty shaken up, but it could have been alot worse. The kid that hit us was 16, and his car needed a tow truck. Ours was still drivable, just some rear end damage.

But..in addition to the wreck, and photo shoot, we also managed to go to San Marcos to find my red bowls I wanted, and had a very nice lunch and dinner and saw some pretty lights. Was a good day overall.

My beauties, on my birthday :)

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T

 

Josh and I had 2 Christmas parties to go to tonight. His company party was downtown, and they were having a sit down dinner, so we went there first, then around 10, we headed to Rene's party, still going strong, in Gtown. Had a blast, it was a great night with tons of laughs. I really needed it..

Party #2

Story of my life

There's always the possibility of tomorrow. Tomorrow things can change. Tomorrow could be better. Tomorrow could be your season. Tomorrow could be your breakthrough. Don't give up hope for a better tomorrow. When you lose your hope, you lose everything. Don't make decisions on the bad emotions of today. Your feelings today shouldn't change the decisions you've made in a calmer day. Tomorrow may be better and you would regret it.
Life goes on. Ride the roller coaster in anticipation of the next peak. It always comes, just not always today.

(added a few hours later)
Just returned from Wednesday night service where Joe preached on finishing strong. Coincidence? I think not. He says we are all influencing others and encouraging someone just by staying in the race and not giving up. He spoke directly to a group from a rehab facility and told them to walk proudly in our church, and to not be ashamed, because he is impressed at their strength and honors their commitment to stick to the plan. He also said that God would redeem their life 100 fold. I so badly wished that he was speaking that to me, but I believe the Lord was speaking to my heart through him, because I could hardly choke back the tears.

8 hours of running camera, 2 hours of bowling at the 3D Christmas party, and tons of driving make for a very long day. My body hurts.
This morning right after first service, our camera 2 operator David had to take off in a hurry; we found out a few minutes later that his son had died. I believe he was in college in Houston, but he just didn't wake up this morning, they don't know why yet, just that he's gone. It was quite surreal and shocking. One minute we were having a great conversation about some good news he had gotten this week about something work related, then minutes later his son is gone. Makes you remember how your life can change in a second. Pray for the Higgins family, please.

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T

Sent from my HTC Inspire™ 4G on AT&T