I suppose all families have them. Sayings, jokes, phrases, etc from shared experinces, that end up getting repeated often, usually to get grins. You know, around the dinner table, to loosen the tension in other situations, or where it is too close to true! Anyway, we recently encountered this one that is really fun, and it gets quoted repeatedly most days...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Day Family Pictures
It has been such a special Christmas having all of our children and our two grandchildren with us since Monday. Today we posed for pictures.
Randy, Joy, James Aquila and Micah Rowen.
The Johnstown Albertson Aunts and Uncles, and Quil and Micah.
Rowen and Janet (Grandpa and Grandma) Micah and Quil
Auntie Beth, Grandma, Micah and Quil
Micah and Quil in front of the Christmas tree
Janet and Rowen
Brenda and Beth with their red cell phones
Emily and Brenda
Emily and Joy
Brenda and Tim
The four Albertson boys and their cell phones
Jason, Tim, Jeffrey, and Randy Albertson
Tim and Randy Albertson, co-owners of ABE Painting in Joplin, MO
Brenda, Beth, and Emily in their matching Christmas jumpers.
Height order (a yearly tradition). Jason moved up in the ranks this year.
Our six children, reverse age order: Emily, Jason, Beth, Jeffrey, Tim, and Randy
Our six children, reverse height order
The whole family. Jason was shoeless so that is why he is shorter than in the other pictures.
Back row: Rowen, Jason, Jeffrey, Tim, Randy
Front row: Janet, Micah, Emily, Beth, Brenda, Quil, and Joy
Randy, Joy, James Aquila and Micah Rowen.
The Johnstown Albertson Aunts and Uncles, and Quil and Micah.
Rowen and Janet (Grandpa and Grandma) Micah and Quil
Auntie Beth, Grandma, Micah and Quil
Micah and Quil in front of the Christmas tree
Janet and Rowen
Brenda and Beth with their red cell phones
Emily and Brenda
Emily and Joy
Brenda and Tim
The four Albertson boys and their cell phones
Jason, Tim, Jeffrey, and Randy Albertson
Tim and Randy Albertson, co-owners of ABE Painting in Joplin, MO
Brenda, Beth, and Emily in their matching Christmas jumpers.
Height order (a yearly tradition). Jason moved up in the ranks this year.
Our six children, reverse age order: Emily, Jason, Beth, Jeffrey, Tim, and Randy
Our six children, reverse height order
The whole family. Jason was shoeless so that is why he is shorter than in the other pictures.
Back row: Rowen, Jason, Jeffrey, Tim, Randy
Front row: Janet, Micah, Emily, Beth, Brenda, Quil, and Joy
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Phil and Amrie Geise visit
We were pleased to be able to extend our acquaintance with Phil and Amrie when they stayed the night with us Wednesday and part of the next day. It was just like finding a part of the family we hadn't known before. God's family is wonderful and we enjoy meeting more of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lincoln and his gift
Beth got Lincoln a magnetic Nativity for Christmas. He enjoyed arranging the pieces and talking about the story.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Last Sunday we went to Colorado Springs for church, especially to get to meet Phil and Amrie Geise, missionaries to South Africa. They spoke in the evening service, which we did not get to be in because of our other Sunday evening obligations. We did get to visit a little while in the afternoon. It was a privilege to get acquainted with them.
Emily enjoyed visiting with her friend, Crystal Lucas.
That evening, we were in Federal Heights helping Ben and Marlene (Hunt) Reynolds with Sunday School. There were 29 children picked up for the service, which was more than we usually have. In these pictures, notice the posters on the wall. On both sides of the church, we have mounted pictures of the children with an attendance record. I think the kids like having their pictures on the wall. Having the pictures makes it easier for us to learn and remember their names and faces.
Emily enjoyed visiting with her friend, Crystal Lucas.
That evening, we were in Federal Heights helping Ben and Marlene (Hunt) Reynolds with Sunday School. There were 29 children picked up for the service, which was more than we usually have. In these pictures, notice the posters on the wall. On both sides of the church, we have mounted pictures of the children with an attendance record. I think the kids like having their pictures on the wall. Having the pictures makes it easier for us to learn and remember their names and faces.
My mother
This is a picture of my mother, Wanda Scoles, from Thanksgiving this year.
Right now she is in the hospital being treated for pneumonia. We are praying for her to get all better soon!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Christmas Letter/Year Summary 2009
Rowen Albertson Family Christmas Letter 2009
December: that time of year to figure out “What did we do with it?” and “How did it fly by so fast?” For us, 2009 included:
Rowen working at Carestream Health as their best (and only) microscopist on the plant site, painting the outside of the house with the help of the family, keeping cars and truck in running order, gardening, spending lots of his "free" time being a wonderful Treasurer for the Johnstown Historical Society.
Janet homeschooling in the 20th year, making three new quilts (!), sewing, training young people, succumbing to the need for bifocals.
Jeffrey finishing homeschooling his senior year, but electing not to “graduate” in favor of going on a TLC (Touching Lives for Christ out of Hobe Sound, FL) Mission Trip to Haiti in June; starting work at Johnstown ACE Hardware Store in August; going on another mission trip for two weeks in October/November to Ukraine.
Beth homeschooling now in her junior year; spending 3 ½ weeks with her cousin Shari’s family in Eure, NC in July/August helping with two preschoolers and 2 month old twins; cleaning weekly for the Chamber of Commerce; babysitting for a 2 year old little boy that we all love; cross stitching and crocheting, sewing when she has time; publishing God’s Girls’ Newsletter, now in its 6th year.
Jason homeschooling now in his sophomore year; passing up everybody in the family in height except for Dad and Randy; taking lessons and learning to play cello beautifully; refreshing listeners’ hearts by his devotional piano playing; working only in the neighborhood this summer rather than for the lawn company; shoveling snow this winter without Jeffrey being along; learning that vacuuming the house for Mother is one of his favorite chores!
Emily homeschooling now in her sixth grade; growing about four inches this year; having her prayers answered for a violin and taking lessons; finding out she has a natural ear and talent for playing violin; becoming a prolific writer of “chapter fiction stories” (not yet self-published, but headed that direction); helping out with cleaning the Chamber of Commerce office with her sister; doing a sewing project “almost all by herself”.
Our family has had the opportunity to help out with a children’s ministry in Federal Heights (north Denver) on Sunday evenings. We are enjoying getting acquainted with the children and challenging ourselves to remember the names and faces of forty some children who come from time to time. It is also a blessing to us to fellowship with Ben and Marlene Reynolds and family, and the other helpers who come up from Colorado Springs: Steve Cunningham, Tonya Sickler, and Judy Hunt.
Lately we have had the privilege of sharing Sunday morning worship with our friends, the Kaus family, coming over for Hobe Sound Bible Church online and spending part of the day and sharing a meal with us.
We gained a precious grandson to the family this year, when on January 26, Micah Rowen was born to Randy and Joy Albertson. Janet got to fly and spend a week with them to help out during that busy time. What a blessing that the children were able to do what needed to be done so that she could be gone without feeling like they were stranded!
As a family, we made three trips to MO: a fast trip over Mother’s Day weekend, a long trip in July (which included helping with the Joplin Vacation Bible School and celebrating Janet’s 30th high school reunion), and Thanksgiving, gathering with all the Scoles clan in Columbia, and then the weekend at Joplin.
In a few days, Randy, Joy, Quil (2 1/2), Micah (11 months), Tim, and Brenda are coming to spend Christmas week with us. We are excited especially because having just seen the little boys over Thanksgiving we are thinking they will remember that we “belong” to them. Quil knows us best from video-chatting online. We are his family in the computer! We are thankful for the technology to be connected though many miles apart!
God has been very good to us this year. We are trusting Christ, and Him alone, to keep us through the upcoming year and uncertain future. We are rejoicing in the sure knowledge of His first coming, His rule in our lives, and His soon return! Our prayer is that each of our friends and family know Him and be ready to meet Him when He calls or comes.
Have a Christ-filled Christmas season and blessed New Year!
The Johnstown Albertsons
Rowen, Janet, Jeffrey (18), Beth (16), Jason (14), and Emily (11)
December: that time of year to figure out “What did we do with it?” and “How did it fly by so fast?” For us, 2009 included:
Rowen working at Carestream Health as their best (and only) microscopist on the plant site, painting the outside of the house with the help of the family, keeping cars and truck in running order, gardening, spending lots of his "free" time being a wonderful Treasurer for the Johnstown Historical Society.
Janet homeschooling in the 20th year, making three new quilts (!), sewing, training young people, succumbing to the need for bifocals.
Jeffrey finishing homeschooling his senior year, but electing not to “graduate” in favor of going on a TLC (Touching Lives for Christ out of Hobe Sound, FL) Mission Trip to Haiti in June; starting work at Johnstown ACE Hardware Store in August; going on another mission trip for two weeks in October/November to Ukraine.
Beth homeschooling now in her junior year; spending 3 ½ weeks with her cousin Shari’s family in Eure, NC in July/August helping with two preschoolers and 2 month old twins; cleaning weekly for the Chamber of Commerce; babysitting for a 2 year old little boy that we all love; cross stitching and crocheting, sewing when she has time; publishing God’s Girls’ Newsletter, now in its 6th year.
Jason homeschooling now in his sophomore year; passing up everybody in the family in height except for Dad and Randy; taking lessons and learning to play cello beautifully; refreshing listeners’ hearts by his devotional piano playing; working only in the neighborhood this summer rather than for the lawn company; shoveling snow this winter without Jeffrey being along; learning that vacuuming the house for Mother is one of his favorite chores!
Emily homeschooling now in her sixth grade; growing about four inches this year; having her prayers answered for a violin and taking lessons; finding out she has a natural ear and talent for playing violin; becoming a prolific writer of “chapter fiction stories” (not yet self-published, but headed that direction); helping out with cleaning the Chamber of Commerce office with her sister; doing a sewing project “almost all by herself”.
Our family has had the opportunity to help out with a children’s ministry in Federal Heights (north Denver) on Sunday evenings. We are enjoying getting acquainted with the children and challenging ourselves to remember the names and faces of forty some children who come from time to time. It is also a blessing to us to fellowship with Ben and Marlene Reynolds and family, and the other helpers who come up from Colorado Springs: Steve Cunningham, Tonya Sickler, and Judy Hunt.
Lately we have had the privilege of sharing Sunday morning worship with our friends, the Kaus family, coming over for Hobe Sound Bible Church online and spending part of the day and sharing a meal with us.
We gained a precious grandson to the family this year, when on January 26, Micah Rowen was born to Randy and Joy Albertson. Janet got to fly and spend a week with them to help out during that busy time. What a blessing that the children were able to do what needed to be done so that she could be gone without feeling like they were stranded!
As a family, we made three trips to MO: a fast trip over Mother’s Day weekend, a long trip in July (which included helping with the Joplin Vacation Bible School and celebrating Janet’s 30th high school reunion), and Thanksgiving, gathering with all the Scoles clan in Columbia, and then the weekend at Joplin.
In a few days, Randy, Joy, Quil (2 1/2), Micah (11 months), Tim, and Brenda are coming to spend Christmas week with us. We are excited especially because having just seen the little boys over Thanksgiving we are thinking they will remember that we “belong” to them. Quil knows us best from video-chatting online. We are his family in the computer! We are thankful for the technology to be connected though many miles apart!
God has been very good to us this year. We are trusting Christ, and Him alone, to keep us through the upcoming year and uncertain future. We are rejoicing in the sure knowledge of His first coming, His rule in our lives, and His soon return! Our prayer is that each of our friends and family know Him and be ready to meet Him when He calls or comes.
Have a Christ-filled Christmas season and blessed New Year!
The Johnstown Albertsons
Rowen, Janet, Jeffrey (18), Beth (16), Jason (14), and Emily (11)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
James Aquila and Micah Rowen
We went to Joplin, MO for Thanksgiving and got to see my nephews, Quil and Micah.
They are growing up so fast and they are really sweet. Quil is now 2 and Micah is 10 months old.
They are coming here for Christmas. Here are some pictures of them.
Micah Rowen
Micah and Grandpa Albertson
James Aquila
I (Emily) really enjoyed playing and being with my nephews.
Brothers
So Sweet!
Aunt Beth reading to Quil
Quil
They are growing up so fast and they are really sweet. Quil is now 2 and Micah is 10 months old.
They are coming here for Christmas. Here are some pictures of them.
Micah Rowen
Micah and Grandpa Albertson
James Aquila
I (Emily) really enjoyed playing and being with my nephews.
Brothers
So Sweet!
Aunt Beth reading to Quil
Quil
Christ Jesus is The Reason for the Christmas Season!
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter..
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say...
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
- Author Unknown -
- Author Unknown -
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A new picture of the Johnstown Albertsons
This picture was taken on Sunday, November 22, 2009 after church. We were happy to have two families worship with us twice this month!
The rest of "what we've been up to" in November will have to wait until after Christmas to be revealed, Christmas secrets, you know!
The rest of "what we've been up to" in November will have to wait until after Christmas to be revealed, Christmas secrets, you know!
November bonfire with friends
On November 21, we were invited to join some friends for a bonfire, weiner roast, and devotion time in a farmer's field near LaSalle. It sounded like a fun thing to do, and we wanted to get together with the friends, so we did it. We arrived at 4 PM and the temperature was about 44 degrees. It was 34 when we went home at 8:30 PM.
Ephraim Cruz got a nice fire going. The Cruzes had brought hay bales to sit on and straw to cover some of the mud. After the nice snows we have been having in November, the field was pretty muddy, and there was still snow around.
Ephraim never donned a coat all evening, but the rest of us were not so brave!
Beth had a babysitting job and Jeff had to work until after 5 PM and came later, so they are not in this picture. (Rowen was taking the picture.)
It did get dark soon and very dark later!
We enjoyed our roasted 'dogs and marshmellows and the other salads and food that was available.
After everyone had eaten, we sang some songs and told some stories.
At the end, a new Christian burned two boxes of things she no longer wants in her life. She obeyed God and burned her bridges. I thought it was a lot like baptism--a testimony of a new life to be lived for God alone!
Ephraim Cruz got a nice fire going. The Cruzes had brought hay bales to sit on and straw to cover some of the mud. After the nice snows we have been having in November, the field was pretty muddy, and there was still snow around.
Ephraim never donned a coat all evening, but the rest of us were not so brave!
Beth had a babysitting job and Jeff had to work until after 5 PM and came later, so they are not in this picture. (Rowen was taking the picture.)
It did get dark soon and very dark later!
We enjoyed our roasted 'dogs and marshmellows and the other salads and food that was available.
After everyone had eaten, we sang some songs and told some stories.
At the end, a new Christian burned two boxes of things she no longer wants in her life. She obeyed God and burned her bridges. I thought it was a lot like baptism--a testimony of a new life to be lived for God alone!
A short visit with friends
On November 13, a couple of Emily and Jason's friends, who now live in WY, were in Loveland for shopping. Because Emily and Amy were desperate to get together, we went shopping at the same exact moment and place, so they could see each other.
Amy and Emily talk almost every day. They play their violins to each other, and read their original stories to each other on the phone.
Daniel and Jason are techno-type friends, so Jason brought his new laptop to show Daniel. They chat a lot on line and learn and share their computer skills with each other.
November Homeschool field trip to LASP, Boulder, CO
We had so many J-M Homeschoolers at the November field trip that we were divided up into 4 groups. This is the group that had our camera in tow, in the machining room. I thought with all of us wearing safety goggles that maybe the innocent would be protected!
A couple of pictures of Jeffrey and Harrison visiting after the field trip. Harrison thinks Jeffrey is pretty nice.
A couple of pictures of Jeffrey and Harrison visiting after the field trip. Harrison thinks Jeffrey is pretty nice.
Janet and Beth visiting with Kelly, Quinten, and LeAnna in the stroller.
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