Christmas

Christmas has come and gone again. This year was probably the most relaxed that we have had considering the stress everyone is under. No one fought, and everyone was in a good mood. We went to the riverwalk, to the mall to see Santa, and to elictricritters at the zoo. Christmas Eve was spent at Chris' winter wonderland house again. He really outdid himself this year. Check his facebook page if you haven't seen the pictures of his house. I am not sure whether the kids really believe in Santa or they are just pretending to but they aren't ready to give it up yet. In some ways it will be easier when they don't but then that just means they are growing up that much faster. Jessie loves everything about Christmas and I think she is afraid that will take some of the wonder out of it. Brandon worries about too much already and he isn't ready to give up that piece of childhood yet although I am pretty sure he is just going along with it. I made an advent calendar this year with little boxes with items inside that they can use every year and I asked them what each thing made them think of when they saw it and Brandon's answer was Jesus for everything even if it was a snowman. He told me that he didn't need presents this year just being with his family was enough. He still got presents though. It was a little rough without Rachel this year but Chris seemed to get through it fine. This was supposed to be our year and it wasn't but I am grateful that we still have a roof over our heads and were able to give the kids a good Christmas. I know there are many people that couldn't do that. Some day my hope is that we are well enough off that we can do more for the people who don't have much and give more. May next year be blessed and better for everyone.

                                   Jessie got a purple unicorn and a flutterbye fairy from Santa, Brandon has become a master at catching the fairy

                                 Brandon got a rescue helicopter and a antique firetruck

                          The annual Jesus birthday cake

Jessie

Brandon and Jessie were arguing over what the highest mountain in the world was. Brandon thought it was Mt Everest and Jessie thought it was Mt Kilimanjaro. I told Jessie she just likes saying the name and she said no they learned about it school, at least she thought they did. She said, "those darn teachers keep cramming information in my head and I can't keep it all in, I think some is starting to leak out."

Brandon's Scrooge play

Brandon was Marley in their fifth grade Scrooge play. He was very good. He didn't even get flustered when Scrooge forgot her lines. I was very proud of him. I didn't know he could get his voice so low. The only problem was that for almost his whole scene there was a podium in his way and no one could see him until he moved over. I wish the music teacher would think of these kinds of things during plays. Oh well. Here are some pics of him. They has him in black light to make it look more spooky.

 

 

Halloween

Brandon decided to be an Army man this year and Jessie an indian because I found an Indian costume to wear and she said that Scott and I had to dress up also. Scott went as a fireman, big stretch. We took the to the zoo for the boo zoo trick or treating and then the rides that night on Sat. They had their Halloween parties at school which was kind of disappointing because Brandon's class didn't even make a full circle so I didn't get good pictures of him. They still had fun though. That night we went to Chris' for dinner and then to GG's and trick or treating. They had a lot of fun.

Brandon's story

Brandon submitted this story for the Pueblo library's scary story contest. He was one of 12 winners. He gets a certificate, copy of all the stories, an award ceremony and a gift certificate to a book store. I am trying to convince him to give me the book certificate since I helped him type it but so far no luck.

Getting a scary package

 

 I got a package in the mail one night. It was a large package. My great grandfather sent it to me. It was covered in slime and had skull signs on it and a picture of a pirate. When I opened it, there was a cage in the box.  There was a furry ball in the cage. I opened the cage and out comes a big, black monster with raging eyes and razor sharp teeth. The teeth looked strong enough to bite through a semi-truck. It had giant feet kind of like Godzilla. He had giant claws on his furry hands. He had spikes down his back and on his long tail.  The monster started to chase me all around the neighborhood. I ran through the woods into the cemetery, jumping over open graves. The fall leaves were crunching under feet as I ran. The monster’s large feet made him jump higher than ever.  He chases me into a lake. I swam as fast as I could to get away. He chased me back to my house.  I ran into my room as fast as I could. The monster knocked the door down and I ran out the window. I got on my dirt bike and I went out into the forest. The monster started an animal roundup. He got all the animals to start chasing me. I was being surrounded by animals, so I jumped off my dirt bike and climbed a tree to safety. I jumped onto the monster’s back and I was able to control him by holding onto his big, long ears and kicking him with my feet like a horse. I was able to get him out of the forest and I thought if I drove him into the ocean that he would drown. But he didn’t. He swam all the way to an island. I thought I was safe so I went back home. Some time later, there was a knock on the door. When I opened it there was the monster. I screamed and he put his hands over his ears. I realized he was sensitive to loud noises, so I grabbed my trumpet and started playing loudly. He couldn’t take it anymore, and he crawled back into his cage where it was quieter. I ran over there really fast and shut it. I threw the cage back into the box. I took the box outside and burned it. The monster was finally gone.

CWFS

We have started to make changes to the business to hopefully start bringing in more money. One of our firefighters got us in touch with a man who initially was just going to get us in on the 9/11 ceremony in Pueblo. When Scott met with him and explained the problems we are having, he decided to help us out. This guy does everything and knows everyone. Not only did he get us on the ceremony, we got to do an opening for a new VA clinic and Scott got to present an award to Congressman Scott Tipton. He is also getting us in touch with other people and got us turned into a nonprofit company. Now we can accept donations and eventually receive grants. We are also getting publicity and "networking". It is almost overwhelming. Right now none of this is paying but hopefully that will start changing and we will bring in work that does pay. As a nonprofit, we are now considered a volunteer fire department and can raise money to start the training facility we always wanted to. I am praying that this is the answer to our prayers and things will start changing for the better for us. I kept saying that this was our year because Scott and I have been married 13 years and while that would be unlucky for most, that should bring us luck. We haven't had a lot of good things happen to us in these past years. I was starting to give up hope that this wasn't going to be our year after all. Better late than never. Please keep praying for us that nothing happens to mess this up, we really need some miracles.

 

                                              Scott and Dad taking the wreath

                                               Coming back

                                           Scott Tipton receiving the award

                                            Marines, City fire, Scott Tipton and us

 

 

                                                The city fire guard

                                           our wreath is the pretty one on the far left

                                           CWFS crew

 

Scott with Congressman Scott Tipton

Brandon

So Brandon decided that he wanted to try out for a speaking part in the 5th grade Scrooge play. He also wanted to try for student council president. I was worried about him not getting the president because he is not a straight A student and not the most popular kid in his class. Not that he doesn't have his share of friends and the teachers love him but you know what I mean. Any way we had to make posters for him and he had to write a speech and say it in front of the 3-5 grades. Here was his speech. Good morning students and staff. My name is Brandon Atterberry and I am in Mrs. Hanratty’s class. Some things you might not know about me is that I really love to learn and try new things. I have always wanted to help people. I want to be a firefighter when I grow up and I love animals and want to open a shelter someday. I am determined and hard working. I am a great listener which will benefit me in the president’s position. As someone who has struggled with school and dealt with teasing I know what it is like and want to help fellow students make sure that no one is left out. I want to promote recycling and picking up trash. I will do my best to make sure that your voices are heard and I am open to ideas. I want to make sure that the school continues to be a great place to learn and have fun. Thank you

He didn't get it but I am so proud of him for even trying. He did however get the part of Marley in the Scrooge play. That is something I never thought he would do either. He also volunteered to help with props once his part is finished. I never could have got up the nerve to do that so I am so proud of him for putting himself out there.