Day 28 * After Christmas Blessings!

Day 28 has been blessed with my beautiful

children!!!! What better blessing is there in this world !?!

Worked hard Thursday and Friday so my sweet husband gave me Saturday off...perfect timing since we had a house full of kids coming!  And come they did.

Tessa, Eric, Halle, Kendyl, Thomas, Kara, Dakota, Malinda, Mike, Dick and Me...what a group!

Great meal...Tessa's idea, everyone helped: A burrito bar including Tres' Leches Cake for dessert.

Fun, Farkle, lots and lots of presents, just ask Halle, lots of memories and best of all Lots of Love...The Best.

Days 26 & 27 - Blessed by Sunshine the Days after Christmas!!

Day 26 & 27 - The sun is shining, the snow is melting and everyone is mellow. I love the first couple days after Christmas. It is a great time to chill, even if I have to go to work. All the hustle and bustle is over and the "after Christmas blues" as Dick would call them, have not set in yet.

I am hoping they (ACB) won't. After keeping track of all my blessing this past 2 months, things look much brighter and I am ready for 2014.

But not for a couple more days......:)

Day 25 - Christmas Day Blessings

Christmas Day 2013

I began my Christmas morning by reading

Luke 2:1-20

the beautiful 

Christmas story.

Then....

So much fun....started out with Dick, Dakota and me in the sunroom with breakfast and Dakota playing Santa - for the 12th or 15th time!

Opened all our gifts...which were all a hit....then we just hung out till noon....I texted all my besties 

"Merry Christmas"...got a lot back and a call

from Moreen...which made me very Happy!

Headed out to Oestmans about 12:30 with my Cranberry salad and chocolates for the grownups and a bag of suckers for Halle and Kendyl.

Day 24 - Thankful for Candlelight and Memories

 

Day 24  - So many blessings on this day. Beautiful morning, great fun friend and helper at the jewelry store - Shelly, and
a beautiful evening at the Methodist Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

I picked up Sherre at 5:15 and

we met Tessa, Halle

Lori & Kortni at

the Methodist Church.

What a precious beautiful

evening. Halle sat on

my lap, Tessa on

my right side and

Sherre on my left...and

on my heart, memories

of Christmas past,

surrounded by my

sweet Momma and

Daddy with lit candles

and the amazing story

of my precious

Jesus's birth.

After the music and the bible stories and the candlelight

I went home and fed the boys hot soup,

and finished wrapping presents, before

I laid down for
"a long winters nap".

Perfect precious day.

I am blessed.

Day 20 * 21 * 22 * 23 * White Christmas On It's Way!!

Work work work!!!! Sell diamonds, wrap presents, The holiday fun is here...but on Sunday church with my Bestie Sherree, put up more Christmas lights...the kids are coming, and take off for Yuma in the snow for our 2nd Annual Dilyn Design Christmas Party at the China Garden...it was wonderful, and we got back before the snow got too deep.

So glad I got those lights up...they blessed by evening.

Day 19 - Blessing of Love, Kindness and Acceptnese...is that a word!?!

Day 18 - Blessed by a quiet heart (and mouth).

Day 17 - Thankful for Tuesday!

On this 17th day I started my morning with a prayer, writing in my journal for 3 pages, and reading in my Christmas devotional. Started the day out great!. Had a very good day at Amos Jewelry, and when I got home I helped my sweet Sherree finish her Christmas gifts. Although I was becoming very weary, I answered the phone when it rang and guess who?....my sweet Tessa! We had a nice catchup and she told me....ta daaaaa..... Her and Eric and Thomas and Kara will be here for the weekend after Christmas and we get to celebrate Christmas with them....I am so pleased...blessed and Thankful for this Tuesday and its good news!

Day 16 - Blessed by Good Health & a Happy Disposition

Day 16 was full of hidden blessings. I got up early and went to Yoga class. Loved it. Walked on the elliptical, which I also love, then "discovered the new stair climber!!! I felt so good when I got home this morning! :) Seems like I am having to chase off those blues quite a bit....but I managed to get rid of them...several times today. Had a store full of customers...who bought a lot. Went to lunch with Kristi and Karissa. Had a busy afternoon...got home helped Sherree in the shop with her last homemade gift. Walked Rusty....ate my supper and I am heading to bed in a few minutes. It has been a good day, and I am thankful.....Only 15 days left!!!!!

Day 15 - Oh Little Town of Bethlehem....

On this Sunday December 15; 3rd Sunday of Advent

...I am thankful to attend church services

 this morning with my sweet friend Sherree. As I was getting ready

I reached up and pulled down a little bible that would fit neatly

into my purse...I look what I found!!!

It is a little tiny bible my Grandpa gave to my Grandma on August 6, 1969. I believe that was their wedding anniversary.
Anyway what a blessing this morning. Felt like I had them setting right with me and Sherre as we watched the little kids perform their Christmas pageant with baby Jesus and Mary & Joseph in Bethlehem in the manger along with the wise men, all the cows and sheep, shepherds and lots and lots of angels.
It was a special way to start the day.

Day 14 - On the third day of Christmas....

My True love gave to me....

Day 13 - Blessings?!?

Day 13...On the second day of Christmas, my true love
gave to me....(A pain in the neck as usual)....2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.

Day 12 - Blessed by Friends and Books

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me: A partridge in a pear tree!

Starting to run out of gas on my blessings, although this day was truly blessed with my girlfriends at book club...which was actually last night at Launa Gartons home.

Day 11 - Blessed by Hope

Day 10 - Thankful for Loyal Customers!

December Blessing Day 10. I am so thankful for a busy Christmas Day at Amos Jewelry. Saw some old loyal customers and sold a lot of goodies. Make my heart feel good when it feels "like old times". One of the reminders of why I am here after all these years.

Day 9 - Blessed with a Fresh New Outlook!!!

Day 9 - I am the captain of my Soul!!!

Day 8 - Blessings of Little Stars

Blessings of Little Stars for Day 8 of this December.

I pulled out Tessa and Thomas's Flavia book last night, and finished reading it this evening. In the meantime I finished decorating the Christmas tree and I did put the 11 little bread dough stars on, that me and Tessa made so many years ago. They have red sparkles on them and it is amazing that they have survived...probably 20 years or so of Christmas trees.

Need to see if I can find the Favia Angle...would like to send it to Tessa for the girls...but I need to find another one so when Thomas "needs" one :).

The blessings from this little book are many. One is remember Momma, and the love she shared with everyone. The real blessing is I know that love is more than a gift...it is a most precious legacy. A legacy we give our children....so that they will have it to give to their children.

Day 7 Blessings - O Christmas Tree....

Day 7 - Lori O put the O back in my O Christmas Tree!

Day 6 - Blessed by Answered Prayers

Day 6 - Blessed by Answered Prayers

Looking looking everywhere the last few days for my Christmas tree stand. Could not find it anywhere!!! I went to the hardware store and they had two. One stand was 65.00 and the other 52.00. On top of that I could not get anyone to wait on me. I was almost in tears. When I got home I was saying my little prayers....please Jesus help me find my tree stand.  Looking under a spot that was a little unsavory, to say the least, I found a red tote, that I suspected had the stand in it. When I got it our and upstairs and open the lid I DID NOT find the tree stand.

Day 5 - Blessed by Old Pictures

Thomas & Tessa 1989

Day 5 - Old Christmas Pictures are my blessings today. They remind me of old times....some really hard old times, and give me so much joy today.
         How can that be? At the time these pictures were taken I was really suffering from growing pains...growing up pains now that I look back. That growing up and learning about the world is a hard row to hoe... especially if you are a "little Pollyanna" like I was!
         Now I am ready to go back to that little miss...I now know for a fact what a rotten place this old world can be. But I am seeing it through these beautiful blue eyes looking

Thomas & Tessa 1986

out at me through these pictures. Tessa and Thomas have brought
me more joy and happiness, and so many blessing...I can not even
begin to count.
     I just know when I look at these beautiful pictures, that life is good and sweet, and so full of blessings. I always said "God must sure love me, because he set  you to me!!!" That's true... I said that, alot...Just ask the "blue eyes"!!!!

Day 4 - Blessed by Sunshine People

I am so thankful on this 4th day of December for the Sunshine people

in my life. I am going to keep track of the people I interact with this month so I can reflect on my relationship with them and how my interactions impact me and them. I believe there is a lot more sunshine..ie, happiness, love, joy, kindness, friendship in this life then I

have been giving it credit for...

I have faith..

We will see!

Day 3 - Blessing of Creativity

Day 3 - I am so blessed

 to be able to express my love of color and texture

light and darkness, patterns

 and everything that makes my heart buzz with

contentment,

 through my floral design.

Day 2 - Peace & Quiet

Day 2- So thankful for the peace and quiet in my home, business, mind and marriage. Yesterday I had so much fun with Dick, we got lots done and felt so good about everything...even though we were VERY tired! The outside tried to come in but I

 was able to guard our tranquility and even this morning it is still safe. My Siesta Memory verse for December 1 -  Finally, brethren,

 whatever things are true, whatever things

 are noble, whatever things are just,

 whatever things are pure, whatever

 things are lovely, whatever things are

 of good report, if there is any virtue and

 if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate

 on these things.  The things which you

 learned and received and heard and saw

 in me, these do, and the

 God of peace will be with you.

Christmas Blessings - Day 1 - Memories Full Circle

Kendyl and Halle Oestman Christmas 2013

Christmas Blessings. Goal: 31 Days of catching a breath of Christmas Blessings.

Yesterday was such a hard day. I could not figure out the reason or reasons; it was just a rotten day....or maybe it was me...ya think?

The last thing I read on Facebook was a discussion between Thomas and Tessa about the advent calendar  in this picture with my two beauties. I was amazed to hear about the importance of said calendar.

When I woke this morning thinking about the discussion I realized many things...one of the most important: Memories are subject to the person whose mind and heart they reside in :-)...and to have those memories to remember, one must make them in the first place.

I am blessed with memories today..of 56 past Christmases...and that is so many memories I can't even remember them all!!!! And reminded I must continue to make memories so All my beauties....not just the cute short ones...will remember me.

Day 30 - Thankful for Finished Tasks

November 30 - 30 Days of Thankfulness - I am thankful for this 30 days. I have always know how blessed I am, and often amazed. This 30 Days has made me even more aware of my blessings, but also it changes the configuration of my day when I start our consciously being thankful. It has been an awsome experience and one I am going to continue. Starting December 1, 2013 (yes that is tomorrow!) I am going to Giving Thanks for 31 Days.

Day 29 - Thankful for Black Friday ?!?

Day 29 marks Black Friday at Amos Jewelry....really not my favorite day...but this day has been unusually busy and fun.

 It has been a happy holiday feeling around here all day. Great way to kick off the season for me and my sweet husband. So maybe this year we will start a new tradition with Black Friday: Fun Friday :-) and I am thankful for it.

Day 28 - Thanksgiving - Tessa

Tessa setting her first Thanksgiving table in the new house in Alliance NE.

Day 28 - 2013 Thanksgiving at the Oestmans - I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter Tessa.
    I spent Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday with Tessa and her sweet family. She is such a joy to me now, as she has been since the first time I laid my eyes on her. The sun still shows up
everytime I see her beautiful face. She is a joy to listen to and to watch her with her daughters, and husband is amazing. Tessa is truly and beautiful women in every way. I am so blessed to be her Momma and share this journey with her.
   

Day 27 - Thankful for Berry Manilow Sweet Potatoes

Day 27 at my Beautiful Daughter's house. Tessa and I are working on Thanksgiving dinner for tomorrow. About have the turkey brine ready, Tessa is working on Cranberry salad, and pumpkin pies will be put together after Halle wakes from her nap. In the meantime Tessa just pulled out the recipe for Granda's Famous Berry Manilow Sweet Potatoes.

Day 26 - Thankful for Patience

On this 26th day I am thankful for patience. Not always as thankful  as I should be, but the last few days have been very trying. If I had no patience I think I would just explode...of implode. Life has so many ups and downs...some times it feels like I am on a See Saw!!!!

Day 25 - Thankful it is over.

Day 24 - My Daily Bread

Day 24 is the day for bread - Thank you! Baking bread for my husband this morning, I was thinking about my Thanks for this day. So many things to be thankful for. Bread, especially my home baked bread brings so many memories to me. My Grandfather and Father baked bread for our livelihood. So many of my earliest memories as a child into my earliest memories as a "grownup" involves, at least as a background, the bakeries and all the wonderful goodies that were fashioned there....including bread.

Day 23 - Thank you my little Brides!

Shausta Brophy Wilson

Jackie Doddridge Seyley

On this 23rd Day

I am thankful for my

two beautiful brides of 2013.

Their trust in me to help with the most important day of their lives

inspired me to 

actually "get out of myself" long enough to heal some pretty hardy wounds this year.

It was truly a joy to spend the days working on their dreams...which became my own...and they came true!!!

Day 22 - Thanks Dr. Sheldon Cooper!

On Day 22 I am Thankful for...yup...believe it or not....a TV show. The Big Bang Theory, 6:00 pm weeknights on CM Channel. It just makes me laugh out loud!

Day 21 - You are my sunshine!

Yellowstone 2012

    On this 21st day of November - I am thankful - like the last 27 years on this day - for my beautiful son Thomas Patrick Barnett.
    Thomas opened his eyes knowing full well that he was sunshine, and has fulfilled that promise every day since I have been introduced to him. It is a privilege to be his mother, and his friend.
    Thomas has taught me many thing about children, boys, kindness, love and sunshine.
     We are kindred spirits and I

Christmas 2011

am so thankful to be spending
part of my life journey
with him.
Happy 27th Birthday
Thomas. I love you.
   

Day 20 - Strength and Perserverance - Learning & Growing :)

Thankful for Strength
http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/11/18/mentally-strong-people-the-13-things-they-avoid/

Day 19 - Thankful for The World of my Girls

On this 19th Day of November I am so thankful for this world that my "Girls" are growing up in. I watched this video on Face Book this morning, and it dawned on my what an amazing world this is in so many ways.

Young girls, in the United States and many other countries have every opportunity to explore the world around them and make choices based on their own dreams and desires. Not true for many females in past history and not true for many females in this day around our world. We are truly blessed, and this Momma and Granna is so thankful today.                   

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpe3Up9T_g            .

Day 18 - Thankful for my Best Friend

Sherree is my Best Friend. I am so thankful on this 18th day, to have her in my life. She is so many things that I am not. Instead of being critical or complaining she just fills in the holes. She is loving and giving and such a thoughtful person...probably the hardest working women I have ever known....or at least as hard working as my Momma, sister and Aunt Velma...and that is saying something. Sherree is the kind of friend that is there whenever you need her...no matter what. I love her like a sister. Thank you Father God for putting her in my life.

Day 17 - Easy like Sunday Morning...Thanks

I love Sunday Mornings! Day 17 on Tessa's FB Page reminded me of just how much I love Sunday mornings.
Sleep in if a want....I usually don't but I could if I wanted to. Make the bed, make some breakfast, get the Sunday Denver Post Perspective and Entertainment sections, and set down with my husband and watch CBS Sunday Morning. My favorite Sunday morning, rain or shine; and I am thankful for it.

Day 16 -Thank you for Ears to hear, and Heart to feel

Sometimes I don't listen very well...or at least I don't listen to the right things. So hard to discern. Today the 16th day I am thankful for my ears to hear, what my heart is truly feeling. Wish I had the magic formula to figure out when I am off track...but I least I can feel it in my heart when I am on track.

Day 15 - Plop Plop Fiz Fiz!!

Hairy Little Beast!!!

On day 15 I am so thankful for cold medications and a rocking chair to snuggle up in!!! I felt the cold coming on yesterday...that funny little tickle at the back of my throat, and sure enough today it reared its ugly head. I am pretty miserable, but probably not as bad as I will be. These hairy little beasts (colds) seem to have to run their course....3-7 days. Can't tell what this one will be, but I am keeping my Advil and friends close by, and thankful to have them!

Day 14 - Namaste - Thankful for my Yoga

My Yoga Class started again this cloudy Thursday morning after a bit of a bump.
   

Love Yoga...love my yoga teacher, and my fellow students in the class. I have learned so much about myself, my body - mind, and other people since I began yoga classes 2 years ago. 
     I feel like it is something that will help me continue my life in a way that will help me to reach my potential, my God-given, creativity, and to love me and all those around me.
                                           NAMASTE

Day 13 - Thankful for the Journey

On this Wednesday morning November 13, the 13th day of my Thirty Days of Thankfulness, I am thankful for the Journey...The Journey of My Life. I love where I am. It is not that everything is just perfect, or wonderful...but there are many things that are perfect and wonderful. One of the greatest things I have learned along the way is Do Not Get Attached to any Circumstance. The circumstance will soon change...just like this day will soon change to the next, and with it bring more circumstances...good or bad, I have learned if I just let it be and learn (if I can) things always, always work out just like they were intended to. I have to remember sometimes, I am not the Intender.

Day 12 - Thankful for Rest

On Day 12 of this month I am so thankful for rest.
My days seems so full, and they go by so fast, I loose track of time.
How can I be 56!!!
I am so tired tonight, and after reading my sweet Tessa's FB page tonight, I decided
she is on to something. She is thankful for evenings with sports activities. I am just thankful
for evening...because that means I won't be to far from sweet sleep.
Thank you for twilight and bedtime. Looking forward to the sun...everything always looks bright and
shiny after a good night sleep....

Day 11 - Thankful for Travel Mercies

Day 11 - Today a trip to Denver with my husband and I am thankful for travel mercies. I have always had an idea of what that means, but on this day as we travel through this so very busy city, that I am not used to I am thankful for a guardian angel and travel mercies. We had such a great day, enjoyed each other, the weather and the fact that we made it home safe and sound. Heard about a bus accident in our home town on the radio as we were coming home...and found out when we got home that it was not nearly as bad as it could have been. So thankful today for Travel Mercies...I know what they are.

Day 10 - Thank you for my freedom - Veterans

 Band of Brothers - Hallelujah

Day 10 - Thanks you Vets for my freedom.

Video Watch  Band of Brothers - Hallelujah

What a gift...I ask sometimes about that "Amazing Love" I sing about to my Jesus and then I wonder...about war and it's terrible cost. What does it mean...how can it ever be right? Such suffering and such loss, on the part of real live humans that we so often just forget about until Veterans Day rolls around. The final words of Tim Donnelly in this beautiful video I watched on the CBS Sunday Morning Show really caught my heart..and somehow helped make some sense of it all. Gods way is not our way and we just have to trust, blindly sometimes. Once in a while if I pay attention, when I least expect, I get a few answers, and they are often so stunning they just take my breath away.

Day 9 -The Cats Meow

Baby Grey

I am thankful for my kitty Baby Grey.Baby Grey showed up in our garage the week after my Dad died. We have a big Baby cat that kept most all stray kittys out of our yard, but for some reason he look a liking to the grey kitten. That was three years ago...took Baby Grey a month to move into the house and a couple weeks after that she was making her self home on my pillow at bedtime! She is a beautiful grey cat with big green eyes. She is the guard and keeper of our home and family and she takes her job very seriously! She doesn't go to sleep at night till she has everyone rounded up and tucked into bed. She is a comfort and sweet joy in my life. What a blessing!

Day 8 - TGIF

I am so thankful for Fridays!!!! 

 Then I watched this beautiful video, and realized just how awesome this Friday really is!

 It's just like all my Fridays,

they are all amazing. Each day that I get to spend

in this wonderful life that God has given me

is the most special gift I will ever get....

and I get it everyday!

And enjoy it everyday...even Fridays...if I will just

open my mind and my heart and accept it

for what it is:

A Gift.

Day 7 - I am thankful for the ability to READ!!!

I love, love love to read!!! I am so thankful for the ability to read. Along with the reading is the ability to understand WHAT I am reading. I am thankful for all the people that made me aware of books, who read to me, or read around me. Thank you to be parents and grandparents. Thank you to my teachers. Thank to the authors, publishers...the list can just go on and on. My most recent book, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert is so amazing!!!! I a thankful to her and so many women like her. She is an inspiration, mentor and just fun lady to be aware of. What a beautiful universe books let us travel through!

Day 6 - Love, Support, Protection and a whole lotta fun!

Patty & Bob Clouse June 2008

Day 6 -  I am so thankful for

 Bob & Patty Clouse;

 my precious Momma and Daddy.

 They were and always will be my heart and soul...best people anyone could ever have for parents, friends and mentors.

 They taught me everything I know about love.

Day 5...Rain Rain go away...NOT! :)

Day 5 woke up to hear the raindrops coming down. Beautiful morning. I am so thankful for the moisture the rain brings and what it does for our yard, and the farmers and every part of our community, state, country and world....even if it does turn to snow :(

Day 4...Let the Sun Shine In

     Day 4 and it is a beautiful Monday morning in my Sunroom aka my favorite room in the house! I am so thankful for this bright, quiet, peaceful room. I can do my yoga in the early morning sunshine while I look out over our yard. I can quietly read or write or just be still.
     It is a perfect space to invite guests into our home or fill it full of family on birthdays and holidays.
     It is filled with so many memories: Wedding preparations, Christmas trees, Easter pictures with Granda & Papa Thanksgiving Kraut buns, new puppies, and so many stories! Stories from Papa Clouse to Thomas and Eric, the little blonde beauty and Granda in the big brown chair telling Tessa how to make her famous Barry Manilow sweet potatoes.
     I feel so close to everyone I love and care about when I come into this room...even....maybe especially the ones that have wings now!

Day 3 - My Knight in Shining Armour

Day 3 and I have literally hundreds if not thousands of things to be thankful for!!! For this 3rd day I choose: my precious husband Dick Amos. He is so many things to me. He was my best dreams, Knight in Shining Armour, Love of My Life, Soul Mate.....you get the idea :). He is still most if not all of those things...but after 23+ years of marriage he is so many other things...not all so shining! LOL Although I have figured out that maybe he did not set the moon, and not the very best Knight, let alone any shining armour, he is good, kind, honest,

Estes Park Summer 2012

hard working, a real thinker, and most of all he loves me as I love him. I have figured out I could not have learned the 10 Million things I have from Dick if I hadn't loved him so much...because I would never have listened to all that stuff from anyone that I didn't want to be with long term....I would have walked away after the first few months...So thankful that I have stayed.