Counting our Blessings

We have survived the superstorm Sandy but are definitely still feeling its repercussions. Tomorrow will be the 3rd day of no school - and I will be very surprised if there is school on Friday. By some beautiful fluke of luck our power was only out for 5 hours - many of our friends have been out since Monday night and it does not look like it will be restored until over the weekend - as a result we have been sharing our freezer space - having an open door policy for friends who need to warm up, charge devices, etc. tonight we had the Schleckmans, Kemps, and Hogya families over for dinner. Luke made 2 awesome grape pies for dessert. Certainly makes you think about the supplies you want to have in hand in case of emergencies. I have to say I am particularly glad that Luke has had the opportunity to catch up on some sleep between sports, seminary, school and work. It has been like having a little bit of summer in the middle of October - except for the fact that it is rainy dreary and cold! Very much appreciating our warm and comfortable house - life is good. It was a very non-Halloween, even before the storm hit- they had postponed trick or treating to next Sunday night so perhaps then it will feel right but it was an odd day for sure. I love you all - Mom

Hugh Laurie

I'm freaking out here. Hugh Laurie is the dad (Mr. Little) in Stuart Little. It's insane. I can hardly handle this.


-Sir Jacob van Heemskerck Duker DeBaltzo Esquire

Pumpkins

These are pumpkins.

From left to right:
Top Row: Max, Corey, Shannon Brown
Bottom Row: Sam, Jack, Emma


-Sir Jacob van Heemskerck Duker DeBaltzo Esquire

FHE

In light of the inclement weather - it seemed like a perfect night to finally assemble our 72 hour kits (at least the food portion of them!). I found a great site www.foodstoragemadeeasy.com and I get a weekly email to break down the task. Our next project is an emergency binder with copies of important papers- etc. feeling like we got something accomplished tonight. One thing we did was put the expiration date in large print on each item. I love what the styles family does to keep their kits updated. At conference time (April & Oct) - each person goes thru their bag and eats the items that are expired or close to expiring. Anna makes a list and then replenishes the kits that week. We packed them all in an old backpack (thanks Jack!) along with some bottled water. We will keep this backpack aim a Rubbermaid tub in the garage for easy access along w a change of clothes for all. I love you and will text everyone when dad finally drives in from Detroit on this stormy night. I live you guys - you are the best. Mom

Cleveland Rocks

Grateful like Elder DeBaltzo says it...

Tonight I decided that I really needed to post. I am in a profoundly grateful mood as we hunker down in the wind and rain that seems to be the part of the storm that we will be getting. It is very wet, all the leaves are being knocked out of the trees and while I do not think that we will have any major issues here in the Cleveland area - it certainly is giving validity to the "be prepared" mentality and I am thinking about ways to improve my food storage, etc. As I have always believed - all this prep stuff isn't for the end of the world - but it sure is smart for things like these storms! On to grateful. I am grateful that I have terrific kids. While I am often sad that time flies - I have to say that this stage of life is a really great one. I am grateful that my big kids in Provo choose to get together frequently. I am grateful for Corey as my first daughter-in-law who willingly opens their apartment to be a home away from home for Jack and Luke and her sister Emma. I am grateful they have dinner together there most Sundays. I am grateful Den has a good job that provides us a home that I love and the freedom to do the things that I wish to do. I am grateful to be able to work on projects that mean so much to me like Wa-Wa's book. I am so excited to have that completed! The last revision is in the works right now. I am grateful to live in a country where we can vote and choose. I am grateful to live in Ohio where despite the CRAZY amount of political calls, mailings, media, etc - I know it is somewhere where my vote really matters and it makes me appreciate that privilege. I am grateful that when Den travels we have a chance to just kick back and although we miss him when he is gone - the kids and I have a different kind of good time. However, I am grateful that when he comes home - it is always a very happy reunion! I am so very glad that I met Dennis more than 29 years ago. Life has been very good together and I am looking forward to celebrating 25 years of marriage this next year. I am grateful for the example of solid marriages that we have in our families. That is a blessing. I am grateful to be able to worship in the way that I see fit for me and for my family. I believe that Heavenly Father watches over each of us. I know that this gives me tremendous peace - and that my children feel the same. I am grateful that my kids are making choices in their own lives that have purpose and positive direction. I am glad that Sophie and Luke are my tail-end kids and that I am able to go to all of their sport activities. I am thankful for thoughtful texts, phone calls and emails from all of my children and glad that we live in an information age where distance is not nearly what it was in years ago. I am grateful for all the techie gadgets that make life so easy. I'm grateful for good health - for happy siblings and parents. I am glad that we have each found our own lives - and that they are happy ones. This month I have reflected on all the fun October family times we have had in recent years - specifically at Sean, Brooke and Jake's weddings. Happy Anniversary to all! And so - I needed to post this tonight because although it seems easy to "wallow" when things are slightly off, it would really be ungrateful to not take the time to be joyful when life is good. Happy day - with love from Lexi

You guys

My beautiful, beautiful kids - thank you Corey for posting and sharing the picture of the apple dipping. You guys look great - and although Jack likes to claim the distinction, you are EACH "kind of a big deal."

It is rain rain raining. Knocking all the leaves of the trees - Luke, Soph and I are having a mini Twilight marathon - it's that kind of a day. I am supposed to go to a meeting at church later tonight and have to admit that my motivation is lacking - but I am sure I will get if together by then:-)

All time classic story to add to DeBaltzo lore. While Luke was on a campout this weekend, one of the kids from the stake (kid named Kelton - please take that name off the list of my future grandchildren names...) - but I digress. Kelton came up to Luke and asked him if Sophie and he had "a thing" - Luke said -"Sophie? My sister?!" Kelton, "wait - who are you?" Apparently there was some confusion with the various Lukes in our ward. Ah- pretty hilarious.

Just when I think I've heard it all - I am encountering things with my one son and one daughter at home that I never imagined. Count your blessings that none of you big boys had to be aggravated by the propensity of feminine hygiene products cluttering the bathroom:-)

You are all great - you look great - you make my heart happy. Absolutely cannot wait to be there for Thanksgiving week.

Love
Mom