Headin' South

Well, the Klaassen clan is headed south for a Kansas Christmas this year. We are looking forward to spending time with family and friends, in both Kansas and Iowa. We'll be home for a couple of days after Christmas then we'll head east to Iowa to visit Chris's family. Head East... isn't that the name of an old band or something? My dad would know. Anyway, we want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas with a reminder of the true reason we celebrate, the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

That's My Girl!

For those of you who know me, you know that I do not like camping. Bugs, heat, dirt, and the general uncomfortableness of sleeping in a tent do not suit me well. Like my dad always said, "Camping ain't no vacation. Where's the closest hotel?" Well, Kaylee has discovered a type of camping that I would actually enjoy. Toys and books at your disposal and a pillow-lined sleeping bag - right next to the refrigerator, no less. And to think, you can have all of this in the comfort of your own home. She's definitely my kid.

Memorials

I don't normally post twice in one day, but today warrants an exception. Chris and I went to Westroads Mall on Monday night to do some Christmas shopping. We took a minute to look at the makeshift memorials that have been left, showing support for the victims of the last week's shooting. These pictures don't really do justice to the magnitude of the memorials.

I know this picture is small, but it was taken on the night Chris and I were there. In fact, you can see Chris in the actual news broadcast from that night. This is the south entrance to Von Maur, where the shooter entered the building. The entire stairway is covered in pictures, statues, cards, and other items people have left. The doors are also covered in paper snowflakes, signs, and pictures.

This is what the doors to Von Maur inside the building look like right now, on both floors. They are covered in paper snowflakes with handwritten messages on them. You can make them right there in the hallway. We left one. I know it doesn't do anything, but it made me feel just a little bit better.

Life in Pictures

I have only been wanting these stockings from Pottery Barn for two years now. By the time I got the OK to buy them last year, they were all sold out. This year, Chris got a new gun and I got Christmas stockings. Sounds fair to me. Nothing else too exciting 'round these parts. Here are some snapshots from the past couple of weeks.

Kaylee is into Play-Doh right now, which means Chris and I are too.

Lauryn likes bath time. You can't tell from the face here. You'll just have to trust me.

Aunt Twink came to visit us last week! Ride 'em, Cowgirl!

Things like this don't happen here...

What can I even say about what happened yesterday?

I am shocked, angry, sad, and a little scared. We don't understand why, but God has allowed this to take place, and I know that glory will be brought to His name through it all. And yet, I cry as I type this because it's sickening to think that my kids and I could have been there just as easily as anyone else. Thankfully, all of our friends and family have been accounted for, and we're pretty sure we didn't know anyone who was involved. Please keep Omaha in your prayers. The victims and their families are not the only ones affected by this one man wanting to make a name for himself. We are all in this together.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..."

Who ordered this?

The first ice storm of the season has come and - for the most part - gone. Lauryn and I were up bonding around 5:00 this morning, and I saw a nice coat of ice covering the windows. Lauryn didn't seem to notice. By late this morning, I think we had about a half inch of the slick stuff. However, it is now 4:30 pm, and lot of it has melted already. Needless to say, the girls and I haven't left the house today. We're having fun just hanging out.