Long time no see......

That was a favorite saying of my dad's that I remember from my childhood... and even though we don't "see" each other here, I still feel I have been absent too long. No excuse really, bc that is all those are, excuses. I just have had some life changes and am dealing with them the best I can, lots of decision without allot of choices. Please, pray for peace for me and my family. Also, for my friend and co-worker, Amanda, whose father is having quadruple by pass surgery this week, my friend, Amy, whose life is filled with sorrow for her dog and pending adoption of her future daughter in Kaz, and for your intention, please leave them here. I have recently gone to join a new small group due to work times and location challenges and we are reading/studying/praying along to Bill Hybel's book, Too Busy Not to Pray . It is very good so far and I cannot wait to meet with the group.

Well, that is it for now...

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Where have I been?

Busy, like always... year is just humming along and getting busier as the holidays approach. Boys are fine. Marc is as always, bringing me joy and Jay brings joy (sometimes). Jay leaves for Iraq in April (maybe March though...). That is it. What is new with you?

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Mystery Photo

Sorry I was not able to get this to post on the group thread.... enjoy and happy stitchin'

Shannon

Fal...

Here in the Midwest the leaves on the trees are changing color and falling from trees. Their colors are bright and vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples and really a delight to my eye, even though I am not really big into nature. And at the moment I slow down enough to really appreciate it, I thank God for this beautiful sight that I have so often taken for granted, and for loving me.

Fall also brings out sweater season, and I am making a chunky one! Yeah! And quilts too, cannot forget my first love. Working on my UFO list still, but, as always, need to be more consistent in that area.

What are you doing now that Fall has come?

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

Home, Sweet Home.... AT LAST!

Well, the 15 weeks were very long for me but in the end they did fly by and Jay is home! TY, GOD! We just sat around last night, eating tapas (which was really just an old favorite of finger food and appetizers that we started when the kids were younger) and watched a funny movie. He said he enjoyed being on the couch (the ugly old one I am dying to replace) and he is still sleeping, so I guess he feels like home also. He only has 7 days so we will also have a busy day today and then he will have the week to hang out with friends and Miss Ashley (GF). Then onto Fort Campbell for jump school (scary), but at least he will be closer for 6 months, till he deploys in April.

It is still hard to believe he has grown up so much, seems like just yesterday he was a baby in my arms.....

Happy Stitchin'
Shannon

Graduation....

Most of the time we think of graduation as the end of something, but really it can be the beginning of a "next" in some one's life. Like last night, 10 men graduated from the Master's Touch program, part of Wayside Cross Ministries, where I work, www.waysidecross.org . It was truly humbling to hear their stories, their songs, their laughter, and give and receive hugs. I realized how amazing God is to provide the resources to help these men and many that have come before them and the many that will come after them. And He does it not for them or us, but for Himself, just because He can and I think to exercise Freewill and prove that man does choose Good over evil. Yeah GOD!

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon

TGIF!

Not very often do I get a Saturday off~ so this weekend will be so great because I do! I am spending the whole day sewing! Well, a big part of it! I can hardly wait. And I have not been very good about my daily challenge of 20 minutes/day on UFO's so I think I will post a ticker on that (to remind me to do it daily!)

Happy Stitchin'

Shannon