holding down the fort

I'll say one thing for when Brian is out of town,

I clean & reorganize like a mad woman...

Brian & Ali have been gone since early Thursday

morning. they've been in Michigan w/ family

to celebrate the life of his beautiful Aunt

 and mourn her loss together.

I can't believe it's already 2 weeks into the new year.

we shared New Year's Eve w/ my brothers here

(boo..my sister couldn't be here)

w/ a quiet dinner & lots of reminiscing.

New Years Day was rainy & cold...

we needed that "pajama day" as a family!

cousins...all they do is 

LAUGH 

a lot

learning to treasure these family moments

my handsome nephew...

the first grandchild born in our family

many moons ago

(boy do i feel OLD!)

a little fireworks action

the dreaded

"take-down-the-tree-NewYears-day" activity

(and the Woodard sinuses
rejoiced)

another thing that happens when Ma tries
to pass the time around here while
Pa is out of town is a lot of
baking.

my beautiful sous chef

take that Krispy Kreme!

Ahhh...it's been a heavy start to the new year.

as we walk through the loss of Brian's Aunt,

we're also still reeling as a church family

over the tragic death of a beautiful 14 year old

friend of Erin's. she was a precious daughter and sister,

 and a valued member of our youth group.

would you keep her family in your

prayers as the days go by? 

"I give you PEACE,

the kind of peace that only I can give.

It isn't like the peace

that this world can give.

So don't be worried or afraid."

John 14:27