Time For Reflection

On New Year's eve, I always try to reflect, as most people do, on the events of the past year that have had some sort of impact on me or my family.

The biggest one, and one of the most recent events, was the passing of my Grandma Cesario. She was my dad's mom and such a figurehead in our family. Going to her funeral, was an amazing thing though, as my cousins from all over the country flew in to remember her. At that moment, I knew she was looking down at all of us, smiling, knowing that for one more time she managed to bring everyone home.

2006 was a very hard year healthwise for our family as Tyler, Shawn, Joshua and myself all endured a multitude of different illnesses, surgeries and disorders. My boss put it exactly right when he said, "You know you've had a hard year when you run out of sick and paid time off." Fortunately, our family overcame these hardships and are stronger than ever (well, almost - read previous blog on the flu...)

Overall, 2006 has been an exciting year of firsts for the Yancey family.

Tyler graduated kindergarted and started first grade. Who would have thought that he would join choir and be in his first musical? He rode his bike without training wheels and made plenty of friends in our neighborhood.

Joshua, on the otherhand, grew up so quickly this year. We were able to celebrate Joshua's first birthday in October. It still amazes me that in one year he went from newborn, to baby, to toddler and has taken his first steps today, in fact.

Shawn and I celebrated our first anniversary in our house. I bought my first brand-new car (without any outside help) while Shawn was able to celebrate one full year in business.

2006 has been a year of celebration and losses, joys and saddness, failures and successes. I can only look forward to what 2007 has in store for us.

Luke 2:1-15

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us

The Flu

Just to update...no time to blog...the Flu has hit our home...

Tyler woke up the night before last with 103.7 fever. Took him to the doctor's yesterday and he tested positive for the flu. Fortunately for us, unfortunate for Ty, it is not the stomach version. Though, I do hate the fact that Tyler is in incredible pain with his head and body aches, not to mention he is dizzy.

All four of us have the great pleasure of indulging ourselves in Tamiflu for the next 10 days. Say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed...

Will update when all is well...

Tyler's Christmas List

Here is Tyler's Christmas list (before it gets any longer.) Next year, we will put a limit on requests.

(spelling is his as is capitalization and punctuation)

1. DOODLE DUg
2. PACMAN WORD RALLY
3. kanGaRO JACK
4. MONSTER HOUSE
5. ZOOM
6. Air HOgS STOrM LAUNCher
7. CArSRAdiATOr SpringS
8. ROAd ChAMpS
9. HAPPY Feet - GaME
10. PiRANHA PANiC
11. A BiKe
12. SHArk BoY AND LAVA GiAL ON 3D
13. BullsidBaAls (?????)
14. HAppY Feet the GAME (Again)
15. NickToon VALKAno

We'll let you know what Santa brings...

Our Local Heroes

Ok, Ok...

I have to share what happened today.

Today a colleague and I went to a meeting about 30 miles from the office. I am talking on the phone (using hands free, of course.) All of sudden she yells, "Look, there's a fire on the side of the interstate." And, true to her word, there was.

The funny part of it, was right ahead of us was a state trooper and a fire truck. Going past it. Not paying any attention.

So, we being the good citizens, called 911.

'Tis The Season

There are a few stories that I am looking forward to blogging in the next couple of days. This weekend was adventurous and entertaining, to say the least. I was encouraged by a colleague to blog this story first.

On Sunday, after church, my mother-in-law, Diane, who was down visiting us for the weekend and to see Tyler's show (more to come on that later,) took us to brunch at Cracker Barrel. As you know, if you've been to Cracker Barrel, there are many neat little things you can buy. Well, I love Christmas angels. They are part of my favorite things to decorate, and Diane knows that very well. We were both in awe over these three fiber optic angels in a set. They sing all in unison and are triggered by infrared light. Just beautiful.

Unfortunately, there were only two sets left. Diane decided to ask the sales staff if they could put them (one for her and one for us) behind the cash register counter until after we ate so we could pay for it all together. They, of course, said no problem, we just had to give our name.

Do you know what? Someone apparently overheard that they were the last two sets, and told the cashier that they were us. ....And gave our name....and bought them... So when my mother-in-law went to pay, the angels were gone! What kind of people would "steal," so to speak, our angels?!?!?!?!? I thought it was crazy.

Fortunately, the girls made a mistake and there were a few more sets in the back.

Oh well, tis the season!!!!

You Know You Grew Up in the 80's If... Part 2

Here is the continuation from "You knew You Grew Up in the 80's if..." Thanks to theyanceyfamily from Utah. Enjoy!
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inlineskates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do..getting yelled at by younger hip members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49 You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "SavedBy The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65 You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

You Know You Grew Up in the 80's If... Part 1

There is another Yancey family out there! Actually in Utah!!! No relation to our family (that we know of yet.) but pretty cool.

They found us by blogging and encouraged me to keep blogging (along with a couple of other people). I saw this on their blog, theyanceyfamily, and thought it was perfect to share.
Hopefully, they won't mind.

Please look, it is so TOTALLY AWESOME!

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's if:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried tostart a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the bigscreen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirtin a knot on the side. 17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten. (She'sTruly Outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nosefell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.