Ahh the Glorious World of Quelf

Some fun randomness from a random game...Quelf. In case you are new to our blog, this game is our new addiction and the two people in the first video are the suppliers to our need.

Ventriloquist Akers

Multicultural Quelf

Yoga Master Ryan

For Sarah's birthday, I got her two tickets to the Fox to see the "Radio City Musical Hall Christmas Spectacular". It was pretty much awesome. We don't normally get to dress up and go out, so this was great for my baby girl's birthday, even though we had to fight traffic and crappy weather to get there. I will post more later, got some things on my mind to blabber on about later, but what else are blogs for...right?!?

Mad Skillz

...alright!

My Mom is so sweet!!

Well today is my birthday (and Mark's birthday was two weeks ago) and my mom brought me a birthday cake and presents to my work.  She made my day!!  Thanks Mom!!  I love you!!!

 

I absolutely love this guy!!

Mark is home, and we have finally been able to spend more than just a weekend together because he has been on leave.  It has definitely been a challenge adjusting to having someone else live with me again.  For 15 months, I lived on my own and developed my own habits and ways of doing things.  Now that Mark is home, I have had to readjust my routine to make it work for both of us.  Although it has been a very emotional adjustment for me, I wouldn't trade it for anything!  This is a whole new chapter in our life, because throughout our whole relationship we have had to live our lives knowing that Mark was going to be gone for something, whether it be basic training, field exercises, deployments or traveling back and forth to Fort Riley to work for the week.  Living a life outside of the Army will certainly be different, but I am really excited to see where God is going to take us.  

Playing Quelf

After the feast, we played a game called Quelf.  It's a game where you have to do tons of random silly things.  Here are a few of the 

things we had to do.

This card said that Mark could only use his thumb and pinky to hold things or pick up things.  It was really funny!

Jess had to make this face and say, "Feels good don't it."

I had to sit under the table until my next turn.  

Taylor's homemade snorkel 

Mark gave us all quite a scare, because he had to fall on the floor and yell, "You've defiled me again you vile beast!"  I wasn't sure if I should laugh or call 911!!

Taylor had to get on top of the table in order to do this task.  

Me and Paige.  

Our Thanksgiving

This year we were able to enjoy our Thanksgiving with our friends, Ryan and Taylor Akers and our friend Jessica Elsberry.  It was a very relaxing day, being able to enjoy the company of good friends.  

Our feast

Paige waiting

When we arrived, Paige asked me to do a puzzle with her, so we did.   About 15 minutes into the puzzle she informed me that she wanted just her and Mark to do the puzzle.  So I left so Mark and Paige could work on it.  A few minutes later Pastor Ryan walked in, so Paige left.   I returned to the room a few minutes later when my husband didn't come back out, and this is what I saw!!  And yes, that is a Care Bears puzzle!!  

Aww, lil' Kobe!!  Love that smile!!

Paige sliding down a box

Mark just had to try!

A Soldier's Poem

I have read this poem several times before, but every time I read it, I get tears in my eyes.  I know that I am a little partial to this, but I am so proud of my soldier and for the sacrifices he has made to protect our freedom.  Right now there are so many soldiers who are away from their families for this holiday season, so never forget the sacrifices that they are making for you!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
 I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. 
 My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
 My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
 Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
 Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

 The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
 Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. 
 My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
 Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
 In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
 So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

 The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
 But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. 
 Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
 sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
 My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
 And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

 Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
 A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. 
 A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
 Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
 Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
 Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

 "What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
 "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! 
 Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
 You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
 For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
 Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

 To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
 Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, 
 I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
 "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
 That separates you from the darkest of times.

 No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
 I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. 
 My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
 Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
 My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
 And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

 I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
 But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. 
 Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
 The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
 I can live through the cold and the being alone,
 Away from my family, my house and my home.

 I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
 I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. 
 I can carry the weight of killing another,
 Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
 Who stand at the front against any and all,
 To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

 "  So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
 Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
 "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
 "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
 It seems all too little for all that you've done, 
 For being away from your wife and your son."

 Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
 "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. 
 To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
 To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
 For when we come home, either standing or dead,
 To know you remember we fought and we bled.
 Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, 
 That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."