Merry Christmas from the Weinands!

We are sending cards out this year, but they don't seem to be in a big hurry to get done. Hopefully everyone is healthy, happy, and doing good things. We are doing our usual, busy, busy, busy. All of us are healthy, and hopefully are doing a few good things. Here's hoping everyone has a great Christmas.

Letter to EmmaLee

My dearest little girl,

Tomorrow you would be eight. As I envision what might have been, I see us excitedly getting ready for your big day. Your grandmas are here, and your beautiful white dress is all ready and waiting. You are beautiful and full of fun, a joy to all who know you. We are all happy and enjoying our time together.

Instead, today, I got the chance to attend someone else's baptism, and I couldn't go. I was filled with sadness as I knew that this is just one more thing that I don't get to do with you. Everywhere I look, I seem to see children that would be your age, and wonder what you would be like; what you are like now. Are you happy, do you see your grandpas, and do they take care of you or is it the other way around? Did you get to know your sisters before they were born, or is that just one more thing that we won't get to do on this side? Do you get to look in on us from time to time - do you think of me? And one more thing, why doesn't heaven have facebook? ;)

We have tried every year to make your birthday a celebration of you. We do something fun as a family, and remember the fun things we did with you for the short time you were with us. Tomorrow is Sunday, so this year it is going to be a quiet day doing our usual Sunday things. I am eternally grateful for the gospel, because of it, I still have you, no matter what. I just wish, well, I wish a lot of things that aren't to be at this time. Just know that I think of you so often, my beautiful girl. I am trying to teach your sisters about you, so that they will know you like I know you when we are all together again. I love you so much, and miss all the things that we should be doing together. My one wish for you this year is that you are happy, as you always were.

Love, Mom

Pictures with Izzy

Izzy was a good sport and let Mom pretend to be a photographer. She was so cooperative and had a great big smile despite the cold wind.

Rachel, however, was not as tolerant.

She was much better with Izzy to keep her warm, so we moved into the house.

Lovin' this baby face..

My little Rachel is such a funny girl. She is always making faces, she has such a cute smile, but prefers to show me her monster face. She is very expressive, so it is easy to see what kind of mood she is in.

Holding everyone a little closer..

I didn't have a picture or anything to blog with today, but I needed somewhere to write what I was thinking. Today I learned that a Dr. that I worked with, and who took care of my children, lost her husband in an accident. I am heartsick for this sweet woman, she has three small children, all of whom have lost their daddy too. I have spent the afternoon thinking about my life, the experiences that I have had, and selfishly wondering if I have it worse or better. Five (yes, five) years ago when my little Em left us, I had a hard time thinking that happiness was any part of the future. As time has gone on, some days I have felt guilty that I was happy without her being here. Today I am just glad that I have what I have, that I have the opportunity to see my little one again, and I am eternally thankful for my best friend who is still by my side. So for tonight, I will hold them all a little closer, for an instant longer, and thank my Father in Heaven for the blessings that I hold dear. Thanks to for all the friends that have helped me come leaps and bounds from where I was five years ago.

This weeks happenings...

This week brought our first snow storm. I am not ready for all this snow this early. I miss not having a few weeks of the pretty fall colors. Many trees here in Gillette just fell over from the weight of the snow. We have worked hard to keep all our animals warm and cozy with the winter weather. All I can say is thank heavens for hairy cows who like the cold - they are easy to take care of. Our chickens have started laying eggs again - one gives us a double yolker every other day. (even a triple yolker once) I also talked Izzy into taking a nap on Friday, she thinks that she

doesn't have to anymore. Rachel got up to come tell me Izzy was sleeping with her toys - can you find her in this picture. Even right next to her, it was kind of hard to see her. Reminded me of that scene in ET. We haven't really done anything too exciting - just trying to keep warm. Chad has the flu this weekend - got the shot on Thursday and was sick on Friday, so we are hoping to keep it just to him, and that he will get well soon. Have a good weekend everyone!

Still Here..

Well, once again I have neglected my blog far longer than was ever intended. This summer just flew by, and left me in the dust wondering where the time went. We accomplished a lot this summer - namely, Brian finished his Master's Degree. He has received his diploma, so I guess it is official. We added a few more animals to our menagerie, and are loving every minute of it. We hatched some chicks from our incubator (twice)

and one of our peacock hens hatched a few of her own eggs. We also got two miniature cows to eat down our weeds and in turn we will eat them eventually. :)

We went to a few family reunions and had some friends stop to visit us on the way through. We spent a few days on the boat, and wish as always that there were a few more days to boat.

The kids are now back in school and doing well so far. (Their first day of school pictures are updated on the blog too.) Chad is in Junior High now and has suprised his Mom on his organizational skills, and hasn't gotten lost once. Abby and Kaleb moved up a year in school too, Abby is now a 6th grader and loves being the big kid on campus for one more year. Kaleb is in 3rd grade and is enjoying it. He is reading at a 5th grade level, so is a challenge to his teacher to keep busy. Izzy started Preschool for her speech and loves every minute of it. Rachel is Mom's big helper and is sure that she should be going some place too. Brian and I are just the same - just trying to keep up with the kids and have a few minutes for us too. Brian is excited to start teaching his night woods class this week, and I am signed up to take a photography class next month, so we are still learning and doing too. Hope everyone is well and happy. Hope you enjoy looking at the pictures.