Christmas Holiday Comes to and End

We had a great Christmas season! The Robberts Christmas was celebrated Dec. 24-26. We went to the Christmas Eve Program at my old church. It is always nice seeing all the children share Jesus's birth. Scott and I joined my grandparents on Christmas Day for a noon meal. It was great seeing all the nieces and nephews. They are so much fun to watch, especially when opening presents. My dad had a knee replacement Dec. 15. He is doing well. We helped my mom by transporting my dad a couple of days from his therapy appointments at the hospital.
When we came home on Dec. 26th we were upset when we arrived in our driveway because a snowman decoration is MIA. We looked up and down the street incase the wind blew it way. We feel it was stoolen because it would have had to been unplugged from the other lights.
Good thing we bought another one about a week ago. So our snowman family will not grow as fast as we hoped.
Have a blessed New Year. Watch the Rose Bowl Parade on HGTV, New Year day, without commercials, so you don't miss any of it. The Lutheran Hour Float will be in the top 1/3 in the parade route. As some of you know several years ago I helped decorate the Lutheran Hour Float and others. For those that volunteer are called Petal Pushers! The leader that orgaized my group will be on the float this year! She is from Iowa!

Honig Christmas

We are headed to Topeka, KS for the Honig Christmas. We leave today and will be back on Sun. Shane, Julie and Hannah are back from Georgia. It will be great to all be together and enjoy this special time of the year!
Merry Christmas!

Snow Day

Remember when you were a child and you loved hearing "Snow Day!" Well that happened to me today. My hospice agency closed because the weather was bad and we all do so much traveling. We got about 4 inches today. I did laundry and wrapped Christmas presents today! It felt great getting this all done! The weather for Thursday sounds like it could be another day off. We are expecting ice on Thursday!

11 days until Jesus Birthday

As we prepare to celebrate Jesus's birth I think of all the things to do:
make cookies
mail cards
buy gifts
make gifts
wrap gifts

Then I have to step back and remember what is the real meaning of Christmas. So lets remeber the real reason for celbrating Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus! What a great gift God gave us!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

We went all out this year with decorating our house. It is kind of hard to see all the lights, but this will give you an idea of how beautiful our home is. We put lights on all our bushes. We have lights wrapped around the trunks of the tees. We made Christmas trees by flipping tomato cages upside down and putting the stakes together. We then wrapped lights around them. Then we have snowman by another Christmas tree with lights. These are pictures from the front of our house. We also have lights up on our deck in the back of our house. To top off the Christmas spirit we had four inches of snow Tues-Wed. And it was freezing today!

December 5 National Bathtub Party Day

When : Always December 5

Bathtub Party Day is today. Draw yourself a tub full of warm water. Add a few bath oil beads, and Voila! You're ready to hop in and "soak it" in the bathtub. Ahh, how soothing and relaxing!

Don't let anything disturb the peace, quiet, and serenity of your bath. Turn off your cell phone. Put on your favorite CDs to a volume where you can't hear the doorbell ring.


ENJOY!

Happy Birthday Dad

Dec. 2, 2008 is my dad's 62nd Birthday! We celebrated this past weekend as we were all home for Thanksgiving. We got dad a cake from Cold Stone Creamery! Yum!
Here are some pics from the weekend!


This is Janessa running around the house with her daddy's stocking hat! Isn't she cute!

Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Scott and I will have Thanksgiving at our home on Thurs., just the two of us. Then Friday we head to Iowa and spend it with my family. Scott's parents went to Georgia for the holiday. I can't believe the time has come for the holiday season. I was at a store yesterday and it had a sign that read 32 days until Christmas. I did not do the math to make sure it was right, but holy cow...time goes fast.
Speaking of fast. Yesterday (11/24/08) Scott and I have been married for six months. WILD huh? And we are loving married life!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Rachel

National Hospice Month

November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month. This year’s theme, Hope, Dignity, Love…It must be hospice, reminds us that the care we provide brings hope to help people live life as fully as possible, offers dignity when there is not a cure and surrounds families with love at one of life’s most challenging times. The hospice philosophy of care is shared by palliative care providers who are working to serve patients and families earlier in the course of a serious illness. Both hospice and palliative care are committed to providing compassion, hope, and dignity.

Monday Already

Our weekend went super fast...like always. Friday and Saturday a.m. Scott and I worked on cleaning the house and some home improvements. Saturday p.m. my parents came to visit. My mom's work Christmas party was down here. So they went to it Sat. night and then spent the night and Sunday with us. We enjoyed their company. My mom helped us hang some pictures. I wanted another woman's opinion. We also did a little shopping. Scott will be out of town Tues a.m. through Wed. p.m. He has a training at Lake of the Ozarks. In the past each employee could have their own room and spouses were welcomed to attend. But this year they want the training to be more "work" related and no spouses can attend. So I am a little bummed. At least it is only one night. That is all for now!

The Amazing Things in Life We Take for Granted

My GQ Man

Doesn't my man look good!

He also won a Chili Cook off at his work today! He is the Chili King! Way to go Babe! I love you!

Fall Fest

Scott and I participated in our church's Fall Fest. This is an annual event. Scott is the Board of Christian Care president. The Bd of Christian Care served popcorn and hot chocolate. There were games, a talent show, and trunk or treat. It was a lot of fun. We also participated in the talent show. We did a rap along with other members of the Bd of Christian Care. Here is our rap:
Were the BCC of Bethany
That's the Bd of Christian Care for those of you who dare
We help those in need through the grace of JC
That's Jesus Christ the Father for those of you who bother
We fed and clothe a few with the help of all of you
And we be sure no ones a stranger to what happened in the manager.

Our group doing the rap. Only Coleen, Scott and I sang the rap. It was so much fun!


Our good friend Coleen. She was at the guest book at our wedding.


Rrrrrr guess who?


Some of the board memebers serving popcorn and hot chocolate.

Hannah Ruth Honig

Here are a couple of cute pics of Hannah. Isn't she precious!

Weekend in Iowa

I went back to Iowa for the weekend. Friday night I went to D.J.'s flag football game. It was great to see him play. I went to the annual Craft Carnival and spent quality time with my family. My mom, grandmother, D.J. and I were a four generation group that went to the event together. I bought some dips to pour into sour cream and kettle corn. I did enjoy my time with my family. In the after noon Brett and Jenna came over to my parent' house. We had a wonderful time playing. Here are some pictures to enjoy from my weekend!


D.J. playing football. He catch the ball and ran it in for a touchdown.




Brett and Jenna playing outside...showing off for aunt Rachel

My future little scrapbooker!

My future engineer.

God's blessings~
Rachel

Catching up

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weekends!

I went through 2 adhesive tapes...that is a lot of scrapbooking


The group of us that shared a room together and scrapbooked the weekend away!

Here are pictures from our weekend to St. Louis.



Brian...Scott's best man from the wedding lives in St. Louis. We enjoyed a weekend with him.


Rachel and Scott with President Grant and he was a Civil War General


Rachel and Scott infront of the arch.



Rachel and Scott at the top of the arch.

Off to St. Louis

Today after work Scott and I are heading to St. Louis for the weekend. Scott's best friend lives there. I have never been and I can't wait to see the arch. I can't wait to tell you all about it when we get back. Have a great weekend. The weather sounds wonderful here in the midwest!

Victory

One tank of gas to get to and from intramural volleyball at church...$40
One pair of shoes so Rachel can be quick on her toes...$80
One bottle of water to quench Rachel's thirst...$1.25
The taste of victory...priceless.

Scott joined a volleyball league through his church when he first moved to KC. Of course I joined when I moved. We both love to play. But the teams we have been on have not been too successful. Well tonight, we won all three of our games...put it down in the history books as a first! It is nice to have some encouragement and to finally have a victory!

This weekend I scrapbooked. I scrapped pictures from our honeymoon. I made a good dent, but still have a lot to go. I had so much fun. It was great to see the girls from Clarinda. I will load up some pictures soon from our fun filled cropping weekend.

One day!!

It is almost here......
One day until scrapbooking! I am so excited, but I have a lot to do before then.

Scott and I were invited to a meal tonight sponsored by a non-profit agency that help pregnant teenagers. I am excited to learn about this agency.

We are also trying to figure out what type of window treatment we want for our living room windows. Custom blinds (the honeycomb style) are expensive so we plan to not get custom made ones. Good thing we still have some money left for Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Have a great weekend!
God's blessings~
Rachel

Count down until Scrapbooking

I am scrapbooking this weekend. Some girls from Clarinda are coming down here. We are scrapbooking in a hotel Fri through Sun. I am so excited. I hope I get a lot done!...3 days!!!!!!!!!!

Another week...

Our weekends fly by so fast. My allergies have been bothering me some...so I took a nap Sat and Sun. It was great. So I did not get as much done as I wanted this weekend. Scott and I are excited that our shows are new tonight. Sat night we met up with Scott's parents and had supper in Town Center at California Pizza and had Cold Stone...yum, yum! Today we went to a pancake breakfast at our church and then to church. We made our menu out for the week and I went to the grocery store and here we are. I am so excited for next weekend. I am scrapbooking with three girlfriends IOWA. We are staying at Embassy Suites in Overland Park Fri through Sun and the only thing we are doing is SCRAPBOOKING. We will have such a great time! Iowa did not win, but the Chief's did! So 1 for 1 of my times won. K-State won for Scott so that is good!


God's blessings!

This week has been a trying week for me. My work has been pretty demanding emotionally. Tues we admitted a 81 year old male. He lived at home with his wife. His wife, his full time caregiver, was exhausted. We arranged for him to go to respite. Today we were going to take him, but he was actively dying, so we stayed with the family until he died this afternoon. This family is so sweet and caring. This man had Alzheimer, COPD, and prostrate cancer. I can usually seperate my feelings, but this week this family touched my heart. I caught myself waking up in the middle of the night wondering how this patient was doing.

What I have learned in these past 2 days...
How important it is to have a durable power of attorney.
How love can help a family through a rough time.
How important it is to have funeral arrangements made.
By holding someone's hand it can send a powerful message.
How at the end of the day nothing matters, but my family.

In Him,
Rachel

Witnessing

Is it amazing how God talks to us. Today in church the message was about all the opportunities we have each day to witness! Now that I reflect from last week I had many opportunities to witness. I encourage everyone to look for opportunities to witness...to love others!

Have a great week and Happy Fall.

Weekend of Birthdays

My birthday was great. I spent it with family and friends. I was treated very well and spoiled by everyone.

I think Hannah had a great birthday as well. She loved the ocean. Here are some pictures from the weekend!




The Honig family!

Everyone that was at Tybee Island, GA!

1 day

Fri. we leave for Georgia at 9:30 from KCI Airport. We return on Mon. early evening. I am so excited to go to Tybee Island, celebrate Hannah's first b-day, be on the beach, and spend time with family and friends!

Turning 29....in 2 days

The birthday gifts have started to roll in. Over labor day weekend I celebrated with my family which was so great! Today Scott...AKA "The Birthday Fairy" delivered 2 dozen cookies. He got them from Connie's Cookies and they are fabulous! Here are some pictures to show how cute they are. They are also very yummy!

A Field of Sun Flowers on our way from Kansas to Iowa!


My little Pricesses Jenna and Janessa


Birthdays we celebrated with some extra help to help blow out candels!

To Be Continued...

Well the guy that rear ended me does NOT have insurance. I called the officer and he issued another ticket to the guy for no insurance. The court date is in October. Scott and I plan to attend the hearing and get the money he owes me and my insurance.

Over Labor Day weekend Scott and I went to Topeka for Scott's class reunion. It was fun to see his school and meet his classmates. We attended the activities on Friday and Saturday night. Then Sunday and Monday we were in Iowa. We clebrated all the birthdays (Jeremy, Jason, Me, and Jaron's). We went swimming one last time in Jeremy's pool. It was great to see everyone and spend time with all the nieces and nephews...they are growing up so fast. Also, we had to return our album back to our photographer. The name was spelled wrong on the albulm. We are so ready to have the wedding items all over.

Scott and I are looking forward to this coming weekend. We are going to Georgia to visit Shane, Julie, and Hannah. It is Hannah's first birthday. We are flying out Friday and returning on Mon. We will be going to Tybee Island for a long relaxing weekend. I can't wait to stay on the ocean. I can't wait to share all the pictures with you when we return.

Uninsured Auto Drivers

This week has been long. It started last Fri. We admitted a hospice patient on Fri. another one on Sat, another one Mon and another one Tues. I have put in some very long days. Today looked like it was going to be a great day. I only had one person to see, then I was going to be in the office to finish up things. I am on my way to see my patient. I am stopped at a RED stop light waiting for it to turn green. Next things I know I am hit from behind. I pull my car over to the side of the road and the driver that hit me did the same thing. He gave me his information. He kept apologizing. He stated he had insurance. He gave me His insurance paper and I noticed it was out dated. He stated he had the current paper. I then call the police. The office took both of our information. When the officer brought my items back to me he stated the other driver has insurance and it is through AAA. So this afternoon I call his insurance to make a claim and you guessed it.......his insurance was canceled the 3rd of this month. I called the officer and left him a message stating I want this individual to be cited for having no insurance. He did get a ticket for careless driving. The silver lining is that I am okay and so is the other driver. My car is drivable and he scratched the back bumper. So we will see how this all turns out.... TO BE CONTINUED!

LOVE

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

John 15: 12 - We are commanded to love one another, as He has loved us – to the extent that His love was so great that He laid down His life for us. (Vs. 13)

As I work with more hospice patients I am so greatful for all the love others give me. Thank you to all who love me and show love to the world.

Weekend Update

Another week closer to retirement is how I count down my weeks. This weekend Scott and I both worked Saturday a.m. Then Saturday night we went with people from our church to the Royal's game. I had not been to a Royal's game in about 12 years. The game went pretty fast. Unfortunately they did not win. Following the game was faith night. Chris Sligh (from American Idol) and Natalie Grant performed. Also, the Veggie tales made an appearance. It was a great day for the game.

Sunday we went to church. We spent the afternoon preparing food for a church called Our Redeemer. Once a month this church has an afternoon service and then they feed the people that attend. This church is inner city and indigent people attend. I enjoyed helping with this servant event. There was a great group of us from church that prepared and served the food. It is a great reminder how blessed I am and how thankful I should be. God is Good!

Weekend A Blurr

This weekend went so fast! We had a garage sale Saturday morning. Scott's parents came up Fri to help us. They also provided some of the inventory for the yard sale. We got up at 4:30 so we could have it all ready by 7 a.m. We got rid of quite a bit, but still have some items left. We will donate the items to a thrift store our church helps sponsor.
Sunday we went to church. I am now an official member of Bethany Lutheran Church. This is the second church I have belonged to. They had a special introduction of new members at the beginning of the service.
Then we went boating with some church friends. We went to Hillsdale Lake. Not really sure where it was, I was a passenger. It is on the Kansas side and South of Overland Park. We took turns tubing. Man are our arms sore. We had a blast and then ended the evening with some good BBQ.

Susan Komen 5K Breast Cancer Walk

August 10, 2008
Scott and I participated in the annual Breast Cancer Walk. We joined my Aunt Helen, my cousin, Lydia, and her little girl Addison. Lydia's friend also joined us! The more the better. It was a lot cooler than last year, but we still perspired. We walked it for Scott's mom. She fought breast cancer!! Way to go Shirley...You Rock!
Here are a few pictures:

The group of us that walked. Addison loves Scott!

This is for you Shirley!

Look at all the people. Over 25,000 people participated.

5:30 AM

5:30 a.m. the alarm goes off. Yes, 5:30 a.m. Scott looks at the time and jumps out of bed. He turns down the radio a little. He then turns on the bathroom light. He changes his clothes and sweatly calls "Rachel it's time to get up." Rachel ignores his voice and keeps her eyes closed. He leave the bedroom. Rachel blocks the radio by putting a pillow over her head. Scott comes back into the room about 5 minutes later and says, "Rachel it's time to get up" with a stern voice. Rachel slowly moves. She looks at the alarm clock to see it is 5:43 a.m. Rachel starts to feel guilty and the guilt gets her out of bed. She realizes that Scott has been up for about 15 minutes. He is in the living room watching the morning news. Rachel gets out of bed. She is not in a happy mood, but knows in less than an hour the pain will be over. Rachel gets ready by putting on a t-shirt, shorts, socks and shoes. Rachel and Scott grab their water bottles, ear phones, and YMCA passes. Scott drives the two to the YMCA. On Mon., Wed., and Fri. they do cardio workouts. Tues and Thurs. they lift weights. Once the workout is done Rachel is glad Scott jumped out of bed and encouraged her to go with him. Scott and Rachel have gotten up everyday during the work week at 5:30 a.m. since July 7th.

Country Girl at Heart

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. Buying a rain gauge is proof that I am a farm girl. I went to Wal-mart and got a rain gauge last night. I fell like I need to know how much it rains. I probably feel this way since farmers rely on rain for their crops. I have noticed when describing how to get somewhere I use buildings or landmarks, instead of street names. Coming from rural Iowa I would know how long it would take me to get somewhere by how many miles away it was. Now going 3 miles takes 10 minutes, not 3 minutes. And the only thing to slow traffic down in the country was a tractor or livestock out on the road. Now it is traffic and road constructions. As I transition to city life I am sure more of my country roots will shine through. I am proud that I grew up in Clarinda, Iowa. It has given me great character.

Blue Springs, MO

Blue Springs’ history is tied to the migration of settlers on their westward journey. Pioneers found the area to be an ideal stopover due to the abundance of cool, clean water from a spring of the Little Blue River - hence the name Blue Springs. The presence of water and a need for pioneer supplies led to the construction of a grist mill and permanent settlement at the site of the City’s Burrus Old Mill Park, on Woods Chapel Road.

The community of Blue Springs was organized as part of Jackson County in 1827 and became the fourth settlement in the county, predating Kansas City, Missouri. An early settler, Franklin Smith, arrived in Blue Springs from Virginia in 1838 and became a leading figure in the community’s development. He established the first post office in 1845, naming it after the well-known springs.
The settlement continued to grow near the springs until 1878, when the Chicago and Alton Railroad announced plans to build a station about one mile east of the original settlement. To take advantage of the commerce the railroad would bring, the town moved its center to the site of the new station and continued its development as a rural trading center.

In 1970, Blue Springs had a population of 6,779. Today, Blue Springs continues to be a growing city with a population of nearly 55,000 residents.

The above information came from: http://www.bluespringsgov.com/index.asp?nid=60

Summer To Do List

This summer I wanted to get so much done like:
painting in the house
shampoo the carpet
clean the windows
take off wall paper
Scrapbooking
reading
crocheting
and the list continues to get longer (and I have not crossed too much off of it)
We thought the process of getting organized, finding homes for all our wonderful presents would not have taken so long.
If anyone has any organization ideas, please send them our way!

Job Update

I am amazed how attached I am getting to my patients. We have a gentleman who was at a nursing home. He started "acting out" by hitting facility workers. So he was sent to a Geriatric Psychiatric inpatient hospital. He returned back to the nursing home and started acting out again. So the facility wanted to transfer him. So they found another nursing home that would accept him. But the other facility was not informed that this patient "acts out" by being aggressive. I saw the patient yesterday and he was fine. He was so nice, sweet and cute. Just like he has always been. Well today he hit his sister three times. My heart goes out to this man and his family. The patient's diagnosis for hospice is dementia. So we will see how this all works out. I think he has never acted out toward me because I don't make him get up or poke at him like the home health aids and nurses do to check him.
Rachel

Summer Fun

This past weekend Scott and I went back to Iowa. We had my 10 yr class runion. It was great seeing all my classmates. We also spent quality time with my family. Sat. Scott and I took the kids (Jeremy's three kids) swimming. Here are some pictures.


Scott, Brett, and Jenna

D.J.

On Saturday night there was a street dance in Clarinda. We "cut the rug" wit my parents. Wow can they dance.

Have a great week!
God's blessings~

Wonderful Husband

I just have to tell everyone that my husband is so wonderful. He brought home with him 1 doz. roses for me "just because." It was a fabulous surpise. I am so blessed to have him in my life. I thank God for him daily.
God's blessings to all of you and your relationships~
Rachel

Comfort

This message is for everyone that needs a little support and comfort.


John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.





God's Blessings~
Rachel

Pics from July 4th and 5th

Last weekend we went to Lewis, KS for a wedding. Here are the pictures from it.

Scott and I got Hannah some Ears from Walt Disney World


Hannaha and Uncle Scott playing


Here is Hannah as the flower girl from last weekend at the outdoor wedding.


Julie and her baby, Hannah. Isn't Hannah's dress so cute!


Here is the family picture from the wedding.


Here is my hibiscus plant