I just received an e-mail from my parents with a video titled "Uncle Jay Explains the News." It nicely sums up events from 2008 to the tunes of various Christmas songs.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year
I know that my last two posts have been very somber and serious, so on a lighter note I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that the year 2009 will be a good one for everyone.
On New Years Eve you usually hear the song "Auld Lang Syne, "but what does it mean?
Emily Hancock of the Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service ("Auld Lang Syne: Traditional Song, but No One Knows Why or Meaning," Dec. 22, 1995) said that these Scots words mean literally "old long since," in the sense of "days gone by."
Below are a couple of different versions of the song. I hope you enjoy. This first link is a spoof of the song. The second one is the actual song itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGSF5wl3LI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId95N2teUc&feature=related
On New Years Eve you usually hear the song "Auld Lang Syne, "but what does it mean?
Emily Hancock of the Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service ("Auld Lang Syne: Traditional Song, but No One Knows Why or Meaning," Dec. 22, 1995) said that these Scots words mean literally "old long since," in the sense of "days gone by."
Below are a couple of different versions of the song. I hope you enjoy. This first link is a spoof of the song. The second one is the actual song itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGSF5wl3LI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId95N2teUc&feature=related
Life Revisited
Today was the funeral for my son's classmate; which my son choose to attend. It was heart-wrenching to see the pictures on display. They showed a young boy, full of life, who was supposed to have a long life ahead of him.
It is still hard to make sense of this accident and it is evident that my son is still trying to make sense of it all with the questions that he keeps aksing us. We do our best to answer the questions based on the information that we have, but some questions can not be answered. That is the hard part of being a parent; not being able to provide all of the answers.
I am grateful that my son had a way to put some closure on this, but wonder what the rest of the school year will be like for my son as well as the rest of his classmates and their teacher.
It is still hard to make sense of this accident and it is evident that my son is still trying to make sense of it all with the questions that he keeps aksing us. We do our best to answer the questions based on the information that we have, but some questions can not be answered. That is the hard part of being a parent; not being able to provide all of the answers.
I am grateful that my son had a way to put some closure on this, but wonder what the rest of the school year will be like for my son as well as the rest of his classmates and their teacher.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Life
We learned tonight that one of my son's classmates passed away on Friday in a tragic accident. He was eight years old. It is a reminder of how short life can be and how important it is to live life to its fullest. Only God knows why it was time for this little boy to be called up to heaven and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.
If you are reading this, I hope that you will take time out to let family and friends know that you love them or care about them as we truly don't know when it will be the last time we get the chance to do so.
If you are reading this, I hope that you will take time out to let family and friends know that you love them or care about them as we truly don't know when it will be the last time we get the chance to do so.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Battery Powered Mittens
My husband has been saying for many years that he was going to buy me battery powered mittens due to the fact that my hands are cold all of the time; especially in the winter. I have Raynaud's, which essentially is poor circulation in my hands and feet. Well, this year he finally gave me battery powered mittens which are designed to keep my hands nice and toasty warm. I tried them out briefly yesterday in the house, but the real test will come when I have to be outside for an extended period of time in the cold. However, it sounds like it will be a few days before I get to really try them out as we are suppose to have temperatures in the 40's.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to everyone. On this day that we celebrate our Lord Jesus' birth, I wish to share with you the story of his birth from Luke 2:1-20.
Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas Program
Tonight my children were in their Christmas program at church. My two oldest did well and have fun. My youngest wanted nothing to do with the program and refused to participate. It is amazing that with only having 1 practice a week, during Sunday School, for the past three weeks that all the kids were able to do such a good job. Of course, you have the child who is dancing around, and the child who sings louder than all of the rest, but the program was a nice way to share the meaning of Christmas.3.1 Million Dollar Donation
My Alma Mater, Wartburg College, received a 3.1 million dollar donation from a couple living in Charles City. While they have never attended Wartburg, they have been giving money to the college for quite some time. I have yet to hear if the couple donated the money for a specific cause or if it is at the college's discretion to spend it.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Snow Day
Well, the storm that was predicted came true. We started out with freezing rain last night followed by sleet, snow, more sleet, and then more snow. Needless to say, it is a slippery mess outside. All metro area schools, including the Des Moines Public Schools, have cancelled for the day. My kids and I will spend the day at home. We plan on cleaning house, baking cookies to take on our Christmas travels, and watching the movie "The Goonies;" not necessarily in that order.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Early Dismissal
I work for the Des Moines Public Schools and have for the past 13 years. Today, due to a forecasted ice/snow storm, the school district decided to be proactive and dismiss school 90 minutes early. This meant that I was able to leave work at 1:30 and pick up my children from their school (which is in Ankeny) at 2:15.
It is rare for the Des Moines Public Schools to dismiss early because of forecasted weather. They usually take the wait and see approach; and a lot of times we have had to slip and slide home. While the storm has yet to start, I think that district did the right thing.
It is rare for the Des Moines Public Schools to dismiss early because of forecasted weather. They usually take the wait and see approach; and a lot of times we have had to slip and slide home. While the storm has yet to start, I think that district did the right thing.
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