For Jacob (or) Elley...

I may not be a mom, but my friend Erin soon will be. So this is in honor of all the things the unborn Rockey baby will hear in its lifetime. Enjoy!

Almost 2008, baby!

Stole this from one of the blogs I stalk. Thought it was a good summary of the year without some of those annoying questions that are usually there.

1) Where did you begin 2007?
In my house with my roommate and a delicious ice cream sundae... sad, huh?

2) What was your status by Valentine’s Day?
Blissfully taken and moving (fairly) quickly ;)

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Does Sunday School count? Then, uh, no. But I've been researching some Master's Programs that I'm hoping to start in the Fall.

4) How did you earn your money?
Playing with and planning for my kiddos. Not bad. Not bad.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Nope. Thankfully. But I did visit one of my kids who had heart surgery.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
The closest I got to any police was when my plane taxied to the back-40 and was met by 12 cars and the FBI. Does that count?

7) Where did you travel this year?
Um, yes. A bit-- Portland, St Louis, Springfield (MO), Orlando, New York, Greece (Athens & Corinth), Israel (Joppa, Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem, etc), and Sacramento.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1,000?
My trip to Israel & Greece.

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Uh, lots. 'Tis the season.

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Several folks from my church family.

11) Biggest surprise?
I'd probably have to say the boy. I wasn't exactly expecting to feel this way or be with someone this long-- but I'm definitely glad it happened.

12) Did you move anywhere?
For the first time in years, no.

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
I went to a few concerts in Florida with the kiddos and another one at the Alaska State Fair, though at this point I have no idea who they were.

14) Are you registered to vote?
Yes I am!

15) Who did you want to win Dancing with the Stars?
Didn't really pay attention.

16) Where do you live now?
In a beautiful house with a horrible driveway atop a hill with a wonderful view... but, it's not mine.

17) Describe your birthday?
Spent in several airports and a few long plane rides with 18 high schoolers... then I promptly curb-checked our packed 15-passenger van and blew the tire. Ah, yes, great celebration of my 25 years :)

18) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
Met a wonderful guy... online. Got in a dog sled. Went to Israel. Purchased a third red bridesmaid dress (ugh).

19) What has been your favorite moment?
Hyperventilating and everything that followed.

20) What's something you learned about yourself?
I'm a confident woman who loves her job, family & friends.

21) Any new additions to your family?
Technically, no. But I will say I absolutely LOVE the boy's pups.

22) What was your best month?
They've all been pretty wonderful :)
January, July & November top the charts though.

23) What music will you remember 2007 by?
Absolutely no clue.

24) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Not so much into the bar scene. Though my Alaskan DCE folk certainly make the bar scene more fun! Oh, yeah, I guess the boy.

25) Favorite night out?
Century 16 + Icee + Sour Watermelons = Ideal :)

Well, I hope y'all have enjoyed celebrating our Savior's birth and will also enjoy celebrating the coming of 2008-- I'm sure it'll be much better than '07!

Happy Winter Solstice!*

*This title has nothing to do with this post.

Talked to the boy yesterday.

He's in Chicago @ MidWest Conference.

He's being schmaltzy.

I like that.

That's all.

:)

The Reason for The Season

I tend to procrastinate at different points in the day by reading the updates posted by my blog-friends listed to the left. Today, as per every Monday, I caught up with the adventures of Brandt, a friend from college. Yesterday he posted a rather long post that concluded with the most beautiful poem about this season of Christmas and I'd like to share that with you (just in case you haven't read it yourself!)

“For to us a Child is born, there is no better friend;

He hears us when we cry and saves us from our sin.

In His own hands we see, the limits of His love,

And through those wounds He gives us healing from above.

Although we oft have strayed, he comes to us in grace

And tells us of that day when we will see His face.

Oh Jesus stay with us, with mercy ever new,

That we might know Your peace and always be with You.”

Brandt Klawitter

Oh Baby, Oh Baby

Seems I'm in a YouTube mood lately... BUT this is fantastic!

What I Really Want For Christmas

(This is also my second favorite Christmas movie. And, yes, I do watch it year-round!)

It's THAT Simple!

It's by far my favorite Christmas movie. In fact, I don't consider it Christmas until I watch it. It's that important. And Linus, my sister's favorite, sums it up quite well!

Dear Santa...

On Wednesday I asked my kids about some of the things they had on their Christmas lists this year-- 4 of the 5 had NEVER made a list. That is ridiculous. Who doesn't make a list? It's like the Ultimate Hint Guide for those of your friends & family who stress over getting something you'll love. So, in an effort to help some of you last minute shoppers, here are some of the things from my Ultimate Hint Guide...

• Mad Gab
• Apples-to-Apples
• Bag for my Snowshoes
• CamelBak
• Fiestaware
  (Bakeware, Utensils)
  Tangerine, Scarlet, Sea Mist, Periwinkle, Sunflower, Shamrock
• Necklaces
• Auto-Start for Dean
• And, of course, World Peace :)

Bear in mind, procrastinating friends, that online orders need to be made by Monday! Oh, and if I bought you a gift, you should be getting it Monday.

On a side note: I've been in a "I'm-sick-of-my-hair-so-I-want-to-chop-it-off" mood lately and thought about this cut...

Yes, it's Katie Holmes, but that's not the point. I think her hair is cute, if a bit short? What do you think? Yes? No?

The Truth

Whew!

I should've gone to work today. I've been gone since November 8th. I should've gone to work today. I should've done LOTS of things today but instead I slept. Hopefully, sometime soon, my body will recover and finally decide which timezone it is.

For those of you who have no idea why I've been out of the office for nearly a month, welcome back from life under a rock. I just got back yesterday from taking a total of 14 flights and countless hours in airports. (At one point, I literally had been on a plane or in an airport for a total of 50 hours.) It's been a L-O-N-G month. I'm tired. Hence the sleeping.

So, in lieu of recounting the past month day-by-day, I'll post some pictures. If you're lucky, maybe I'll get around to explaining them sometime.

New York & Ground Zero

Athens, Greece
Sunrise, Olympic Stadium, The Acropolis, Olives, Mars Hill, The Plakka

Corinth Canal & Ancient Corinth, Greece

(Yes, that does say 'Concordia')

(Erastius' name written in stone near Ancient Corinth)

This is the COOLEST BRIDGE... it goes down...

Pictures from Israel will come later...