This picture was taken last winter - Jeff loves to decorate outdoors, but all these bushes have been ripped up for our new flower gardens. I'll have to try to get outside & get a recent picture of what he did this year.

The house is decorated for Christmas! I love it at night with all the still, white lights & a few candles lit!

The top of our entertainment unit has turned into my Peanuts-wonderland. (Chalk that up as another "interesting" thing about me.)

My ever-so-crafty, artistic-aunt Joan made this stocking for me when I was maybe 3 or 4 years old. I treasure it & still hang it up in our house.

I'm 5-months old today!

Another fact about me: I love to bake/cook.
I just finished 3 dozen homemade oatmeal raisin cookies... my grandpa & grandma are coming to visit tonight & dessert is done!

As some of you may know, Noah had to go up to the Buffalo-area to see an eye specialist. He has Congenital Nystagmos. The Dr's have told us not to research it too much on the web, for not everything is true, but what we do know is this: his eyes should strengthen over time, which will help that "wiggling" that goes on lessen. The Dr's examined his retinas and said they look good. Down the road, Noah may have to wear glasses. Thank you, for those of you who have prayed for us and Noah - and please continue to. Noah has a return-visit in March and we are praying that his eyes will be even better at that point.

God sure is faithful - and it's wonderful to know that He loves little Noah. He also gave us decent weather to travel in, as we returned Wednesday & got quite a bit of snow on Thursday.

Ooh, matching mittens!

Getting ready for church...

Some of my band kids prior to a competition.
I remember when they first met me - they thought I was from Canada. Nope, not from Canada... but I am fond of Canadians.
And yes, I like plaid.

MY drumline... not all that big, but GOOD, especially for a small school.

That'd be me, doing my quad player's hair: must get it up under his helmet.

Let's see if I can list 100 fun (or not so fun) things that you may or maynot know about me (in no particular order).
When I first moved back home from Oneonta, I got hired as the drum line instructor for our Marching Band.
Yes, this was "my" band... and that's us doing final competition at the Syracuse Carrier Dome. I'm the one marching next to the drumline (white sweater & jeans).
I am a percussionist - marched 5 1/2 years in highschool and also played drumset for our jazz band and for our church's praise team.

My favorite cat, Dizzy ... who can resist that face?

He helps pay bills.

He even shops at LL Bean!

Aaaaaaaaah, stretch.

Someday I'd like a dog...but this will do for now.

JuleAnn is right ~ not getting comments from your writing, even as dull as it is sometimes, can get one down.

I'm currently laughing, but at the same time... maybe nobody is really out there; I'm posting for my own enjoyment.

Buffalo Bills had a wonderful buffalo-shaped pool, that we frequented!

This is the best picture I can find of Buffalo Bills, where we stayed. Primm Valley Resorts is made up of 3 resorts: Whiskey Pete's, Buffalo Bills, and Primm. All 3 places are connected by the monorail.
For $20 a night, this was the best hotel we've EVER spent a night in... they think you're going to drop a lot of money gambling - little did they know, they simply gave us a bargain for a wonderful place to stay.
There were many things to do - including a rollar coaster IN Buffalo Bills - here's a view from our window.

Our first day - driving from Vegas to Primm, NV. Our first stop was Primm Valley Resorts...

Last summer, prior to having our first child, my husband & I took a 11 day vacation. We flew to Las Vegas, got into our rental car, and began the journey. We planned on spending a few days in Vegas, then driving across CA, sight-seeing along the way.
My aunt & uncle live in Mission Veijo, CA (one of our major stops where we'd spend 5 days with them) & they had told us that we had to go to Solvang - and watch an outdoor theater show there.
I had planned a stop in Bakersfield to spend the night, prior to driving into Solvang. I remember talking to my uncle on the phone & he said, "Bakersfield, why do you want to stop there?"
I wondered why he asked that. Anyone who knows Bakersfield may understand. This, folks, is about it (the sign).
(Yes, Abigail, I should have started blogging a LONG time ago, because now I have a lot to catch up on!)

I apolijize that the pictures are out of order...
I found it very interesting that once we got off the plane in Vegas - there in the airport were slot machines! They were everywhere - including bathrooms, restaurants -- you name it!
There were also many neat sculptures in the airport.

You already excel... in faith, knowledge, enthusiasm and love. Now add generosity to your virtues. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Go out on a limb...that's where the fruit is.

Only because I'm now thinking of our wedding... here are some pictures, since I know not all of you have seen them.
Jeff & I were married May 29, 2004 - here in my hometown, at our Wesleyan Church.
Left to right: Jeff's oldest brother, Scott, Jeff's brother, Rob, Jeff, myself, my cousin Laura, and my cousin Marie.

This is dedicated to our pastor and dear friend, Dr. Rev. Thomas Kimbrough.
Thanksgiving day was spent with Jeff's family this year. I had called home to talk with my parents & they told me that Tom had passed away that day - unexpectedly. I have been having a hard time coming to grips with this - last Sunday he was preaching & leading a prayer of Thanksgiving; now he is with his Heavenly Father.
As there is much to be thankful for: our families, our health, our God - I'm reminded this season that life is so very fragile. I am so thankful for our salvation, our loving Father who keeps his promises, and for a family who believes these things as well.
This picture was taken at Jeff & my wedding back in May 2004. Tom read from 1 Corinthians 13. Pastor Tom displayed love at all times. He was also one of the funniest and wittiest people I have ever known. Jeff & I spent many evenings at his house doing Bible Study with Tom & his wife...
I am thankful that I knew him and that he was a part of our lives.

Noah's 1st Thanksgiving.

4 generations of Joslyns - Jeff's dad, Jeff, and Grandpa Joslyn. I am thankful for these 4 men as well.

I love birds.
This summer this lil' guy was hopping around our yard. He was fine, but just wanted his picture taken.

Soccer Hall of Fame, Oneonta.
Lauren, a former "youth grouper" - now more like a little sister and friend.
Gilbert Lake.
Jeff & I at Gilbert Lake (Oneonta).

I rooted through the attic today, trying to find what I had found about 3 months ago. I went through an old college box of "things to keep" and stumbled upon a "poster-letter" from my floorling, Abigail. I remember the front of the "poster" was a verse from Psalms and on the back was a letter. At this time in my life, I was preparing for my summer prior to my senior year in college. I believed that I would be traveling with "my band" Godspeed again that summer, but that fell through. Abby had written many words of encouragment, as well as "pleading" to her R.A. that I shouldn't hang her dolls in nooses above her bed.
Little did Abby know at the time (I'm assuming) that that specific "poster-letter" was exactly what I needed.
That summer brought me to a new place, Oneonta, NY, where I was a full-time Youth Leader Intern. That internship turned into my job after I graduated & is where I spent the next 3 years of my life.
Oneonta brings many sweet memories as well as some hardships. I'm thinking of my youth group kids today - many now in college, grad school, and some married. I am proud of them. I love(d) them.
Summer '05, prior to being pregnant, I took Jeff out to Oneonta with me to meet all those he's heard several stories of. Oneonta will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you, Abigail, for words you may not remember, but words that helped change my life.

I really don't like this picture of myself, BUT I find it funny that when I hold Noah, good ol' Dizzy thinks HE needs to be held, too!

Time for bed.

We also drove over to Miami for a day of our honeymoon. It was also VERY hot this day as well. The Art Deco district as well as Miami beach were very beautiful.