The 2009 Highlights of the 4-C’s

What an amazing year 2009 has been for the O’Briens. God has poured out His blessings to overflowing!

This spring, Craig and Cheryl traveled to Israel for a “once in a lifetime” trip. It was an awe-inspiring, two week “Prophecy Seminar” with Baptists for Israel Institute. They spent a week in the northern part of Israel - the Galilee - and a week in the southern end - Judea, spending two days in Jerusalem. Their teachers opened the Scriptures in a new way and have caused the Bible to “come alive” for them.

The highlight of Cristin’s year was her summer at Spring Hill Camp as a “New Frontiers Wrangler Counselor Coach” for 6th-9th grade girls. She was overwhelmed that God would use her to impact these young women for Christ. She is now in her junior year at Charleston Southern University, working in Residence Life on an upper-class women’s residence hall, and loves her studies in Music Therapy.

In June, Chad graduated from Oxford High School with Highest Honors. He spent the summer working at Meijer and saving before embarking on his next great adventure studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The highlights of his first semester include the coolest roommates, spending fall break and Thanksgiving with the Alabama Knable Klan, a visit from Nonna & Gramps Knable, and a road-trip visit from Cristin for a long weekend during her fall break.








Cheryl is looking forward to ending 2009 by spending two full weeks together as a family, before embarking on her next “Great Adventure”, a six month contract working in the Chemistry Lab at GM with Craig. We’ve come full circle, and are enjoying life as “empty nesters”.

May you and your family find the Peace that comes from God through His son, Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.

Shalom,

Craig, Cheryl, Cristin, & Chad O’Brien

Bowling and Bargaining

Can you see the smile on my face? Well, I'll tell you it goes from ear to ear. I am having a GREAT time with my family. Today's gifts include:

267. Bowling - guys against the girls, then changing the teams to Chad and Mom vs. Dad and Cristin to even out the teams. Wouldn't you know, Cristin's game got better with her dad, and Chad's declined with Mom as his teammate. Dad was the big winner and Mom the big loser, but I felt like the champion laughing and playing with my family.

269. "LIFE IS SHORT. EAT BETTER PIZZA" - $20 JET'S for lunch, and three additional meals left over!

268. Finishing one Monopoly game, then playing another complete game...It's funny how our disposition changes with our circumstances. *raises eyebrows* Lots of laughs and digs...:-)

270. A determined, problem solving husband...disassembled my old vacuum, and with $50 in new parts, reassembled it to work like new! I got another Christmas gift - a "new" vacuum! (You should have heard me giggle and squeal as I used it for the "first" time. It works sooo well; just like new!)

The simple things in life are fun right now. They are gifts of everyday.

Enjoying Family Time

...is always a gift to me. I'm so thankful that we have had plenty of "together" time during this break.

258. A winter walk in the sunshine with my hubby.

259. A quick shopping trip to Meijer for "After Christmas Sales" with BOTH my kids.

260. Walking arm in arm singing Christmas songs with my music major daughter as we leave Meijer - not caring who hears or what they think! ;-)

261. Playing Monopoly with my kids.

262. Putting the house back in order.

263. Sitting with my family in church -well, minus Chad who was scheduled to work. :-(

264. BBQ Venison Ribs and homemade sweet potato chips for dinner

265. Watching "Lord of the Rings" with Cristin, like the "old" days.

266. Knitting for hours, and seeing progress in a project.

I am blessed!

Merry Christmas, Dear - From Craig

I will try my best at being a Poet

If it brings a tear to your eye, I will know it!

May our love be forever more

Even as we get old and sore!

I have but one gift for you to open

But my Love for you is a greater token!

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this season

May our life's focus always be the reason.

With heartfelt love I may turn this into a song!

Please don't laugh hysterically all day long!

Merry Christmas,

Your Pseudo Poet!

*We all laughed hysterically as I read it. :) Gotta LOVE that man! <3

Celebrating Christmas

243. Having a relaxed day at home with hubby, Christmas Eve.

244. Candlelight service with my church family.

245. Well-behaved, unattended children.

246. Watching "It's a Wonderful Life" with my family and parents on Christmas Eve; it's an annual tradition.

 

247. Daddy Craig making the traditional O'Brien Christmas breakfast/brunch: Omelets, hash browns, sausage, toasted English muffins, fresh pineapple, and our orange juice & Vernors.

248. Reading "Owner's Manuals" from gifts received.

249. Big family gatherings.

250. The nephews eager to show me things.

251. Couples Euchre - with sister, Julie and B-I-L,  Mike.

252. Playing games with the "teens".

253. Getting a "Mad Gab" plus 3 bonus points!

254. Washing dinner dishes with the gals, just like generations before.

255. Fond memories of family Christmas gatherings past.

256. Winding down with the family at the end of a long, fun day.

257. Knowing it's not all about "Christmas" as we've made it, today, but about Jesus, the Christ - who was born as a baby so that, eventually he could provide the way for a sinful humanity to spend eternity with their creator in Heaven. 

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Making Memories

It is a gift to be able to make memories with my mom and dad. This may be the last year they make the trip back to Michigan for the holidays. Our lives and our children's lives are so busy. Between jobs and other important people wanting a piece of our limited time together, it gets more difficult to be able to plan time to make those memories. Simple gifts I cherish include:

237. Making a pancake breakfast for my family and having everyone around the table, to eat it.

238. Baking cookies with my mom - those time consuming, special, once a year Christmas cookies, Butter Kiffels and Pecan Tassies.

239. Cristin making a special Polynesian dish, Lumpia(?) for our lunch. She even searched and made sweet and sour sauce from scratch!

240. Listening to Gramps and Chad play ping pong.

241. Gramps and Chad going on a long walk together.

242. Receiving unexpected photo greeting cards in the mail. People are so creative!

The Secret of Christmas

Years ago, we eliminated much of our gift giving so we wouldn't be so distracted and stressed out during this very special time of the year. Just this year, while still away at college, Chad said, "Let's just get together with people and hang out." These last couple of days, I have treasured our "hang out" times.

225. Listening to my kids hanging out in each other's room, talking, laughing, and planning.

226. Cristin and Chad going on a "Brother-Sister" date.

227. The girls beating the guys in family euchre.

228. A day of "shopping" with three generations of "Knable" girls; Nonna, Cheryl & Julie, and Cristin.

229. Getting my "Christmas Letter" in the mail, finally! (Well, most of them, anyway...)

230. Our traditional "Christmas Shopping Lunch Out". Soup and Salad at Olive Garden was perfect. Loved their new Chicken and Gnocchi soup. We reminisced of lunches past at "J.L. Hudson" ...and the "Children ONLY Shop", and....

231. Conversations about college and other adult things with the nephews - they are all grown up, too.

232. Watching "Anastasia" with Cristin and listening to her sing through the soundtrack.

233. Wrapping gifts and filling stockings.

234. Giving Craig a good haircut.

235. A second evening playing cards with the family around the kitchen table. (The guys won this round.)

236. My hubby smiling, joking, and laughing...it's what drew me to him that first day I met him in the lab.

Weekend Wonders

There are big gifts and little gifts and I hope I catch every one. I may not remember to record them, here, but each and every one is precious to me. You can probably deduce, family is so important to me. These are wonderful gifts of this weekend:

207. The airline booking Cristin on a DIRECT flight home after canceling her connecting flight into Newark.

208. The rescheduled direct flight arriving 4 hours earlier than the flight I booked for Cristin!

209. Nonna and Gramps (my parents) arriving into DTW from AZ an hour before Cristin.

210. Nonna and Gramps bringing Cristin home for us.

211. An unplanned dinner party.

212. Chad giving up his room and his double bed for his grandparents. (He slept on the hide-a-bed in the basement. What a guy!)

213. Toddler twin brothers loving on their newborn sister.

214. Toddler boys carrying around a baby doll and treating her with love and care as if she were their baby sister.

215. Giggles from under a blanket while playing "Peek-a-boo".

216. Young families with their little ones all dressed up for church and special events. (Sometimes, I wish I could still dress them up.)

217. A table that seats 13 for dinner.

218. Having to add an extra place setting at the last minute.

219. The pleasure of being around polite and well-mannered young people.

220. Families enjoying time with other families.

221. Dinner for 13 turning out, and only forgetting "beverages". :)

222. Playing "Apples to Apples - Bible Edition".

223. The silly comments and gigles of my gal.

224. A house full of people, laughter, and noise.

Lovin' my family and lovin' my life! Thank you, Lord!

Where Do I Begin?

Wow! It's been a whole week and I haven't had an opportunity to add to my "Grateful" list these last several days. I feel so unworthy of God's goodness to me and my family. I am overwhelmed and grateful for:

187. My guys "ganging" up to pick on me. :-)

188. Completing a second 5K race.

189. Holding a brand new baby girl.

190. Seeing two new baby girls in their momma's arms - standing side by side.

191. Special Christmas Cantatas.

192. Decorating a Christmas Tree fresh cut from the family's property.

193. Reminiscing over each ornament before finding the perfect spot to hang it.

194. Watching classic Christmas movies - they just don't make them like they used to!

195. Spending the whole day preparing dinner for 12.

196. A table set with linen, fine china and crystal.

197. Sharing "God Stories" with tears.

198. Chad offering to clean up my "dinner party" so I could get to sleep early for my first day at my new job.

199. Starting a new job. WOOHOO!

200. Getting to work with some "old" friends.

201. Calling my co-worker, "Hon"!

202. Office Christmas parties 2 days in a row!

203. Not having to fix dinner during my first week back to work.

204. Help with household chores from Chad - without me asking.

205. Enjoying my new job.

206. The smell of venison jerky "cooking".

I feel like David who said,

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" 2 Samuel 7:18

Thank you, Lord, for your abundant blessings. I pray that you, alone, receive all the glory!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Continuing to DAILY  list the precious gifts I'm given...

176. Standing by 700 miles away, as my son negotiates an alternative flight home. He's all grown up!

177. Defensive driving lessons from my dad so many years ago always pay off on Michigan winter roads.

178. Words "preached" by my hubby - "A driver's one and ONLY job while on the road is to drive, paying attention to EVERYTHING around him." I sat up straighter, held the wheel tighter, watched more observantly.

179 ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) I used them ALOT, last night!

180. Prayer - the privilege of praying without ceasing, and the power of answered prayer.

181. Safe travel to DTW and home.

182. Hugging my son for the first time in about 4 months before falling into my warm, comfy bed.

183. The sound of my husband snoring softly and peacefully as I slipped in.

184. Fresh snow covered landscapes.

185. Cell phones on snowy days and for retrieving very important people! :-)

186. A call from Sarah this morning, announcing that Baby Snickers - now appropriately named Elizabeth Arwen - had arrived.

Bountiful Back to Work Blessings!

Since Friday, I have been busy talking with a manager and a contract house about a short term contract. It's been very humbling - and at the same time, exciting - to wonder as God continues to pour out His blessings on me and my family, and I continue to number them, here:

165. Holding a degree that is still marketable after almost 20 years of "retirement".

166. Parents who were able to support my college endeavors - financially, emotionally, and professionally.

167. My elders' (parents and high school teachers - Mr. Wellever and Ms. "Rem") wise counsel about my career choice, and that I accepted much of their advice along the way. [Sometimes begrudgingly ;-)]

168. Being "highly recommended" by former co-workers, bosses, and my faithful, adoring husband! A "good name" is of great value!

169. Being reminded of the importance of being a valuable worker.

170. Being asked if I could start work on Monday...yes, in like 3 DAYS!!! That means being able to train with the worker I am replacing, and two extra weeks of income. (Well - even the wheels of the "NEW" GM don't work that quickly! Next Monday is the projected start date.)

171. Passing two tests I never studied for...LOL! (Excel and Word)

172. Having a "free" day to spend getting work documents all in order.

173. Having necessary former GM EIDs and EINs - my God given gift of administration.

174. Being able to help Cristin and Chad with college expenses.

175. E-mails from an excited hubby all through the day. (I'm grinning even as I type, wishing I could see his face.)

The Perfect Tree

Searching for "THE PERFECT TREE" has been a family tradition I've enjoyed, back to when I was a little girl. We would go to Sanford's Farm and tromp through the "100 acre wood", sizing up each pine for it's perfect qualities. All four of us had to agree, then Dad would cut it down and we girls would help drag it back to the car...Fast forward about 30 years... Craig and I continued the tradition with our children. My treasured gifts from yesterday:

160. Memories of our "Charlie Brown" tree.

161. Looking at the two trees in our yard we cut down the first two years we lived in this house - 8 years ago. They are now taller than the shed (probably 20-30 ft. tall!) and both have double trunks!

162. Memories of letting the kids do all the work, and following them as they dragged the tree across our yard to the deck for Dad to mount.

163. The LFC "Giving Tree" being bare. :-)

and totally unrelated...164. Trusting God, who is the Lord of the "lots", and His choice.

Purposeful Plodding

Saturday was an easy day just enjoying the season. No hustle and bustle, here, just purposeful plodding as I reflect on life and what is important. Truly it's all about loving God and loving people...God loved us in an amazing way, sending His only Son - the King of kings and Lord of lords - to be born as a baby...Truly a "strange way to save the world".

153. Decorating my Christmas "tea" cookies all morning while chatting with my sister on the phone.

154. Attending a Ladies' function at church and not being responsible for a single thing - except what every other "guest" was responsible for - bringing a dozen cookies.

155. Sitting and visiting with ladies I don't know very well.

156. Meeting several ladies for the first time.

157. Enjoying singing Christmas Carols from the hymnal.

158. Appreciating soloists - known talent, and new talent!

159. ENJOYING my evening 5K run up and down my driveway in 27*F weather. Lucky gets his exercise while I get mine, and I don't have to worry about traffic at twilight.

The Gift of Family and Family Memories

147. Staying home all day.

148. Baking our favorite Christmas cookies: Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Lemon Cheese Logs, and Pecan Tassies.

148. Thinking of my three best friends, Mom, Julie(sister), and Cristin(daughter) as I baked.

149. Listening to Christmas music all day.

150. The sparkle and excitement in my husband's eyes when he arrived home from work, and the "bear" hug I received.

151. The feel of my warm, comfy waterbed after standing in the kitchen for almost 12 hours of baking and washing dishes.

152. A song that makes me cry every time I hear it. It reminds me of how blessed I am with health, a loving family, and most of all, the hope I have because Jesus came as a baby...It's what I celebrate at Christmas.

Spontaneity and Surpirses

141. "HELP" available when I locked my keys in my van...(Thanks Pastor Jim!)

142. Dropping in on a "forever" friend and finding another friend there, too. I love 2 for 1 surprises!

143. A husband who is so easy to please, and flexible. I usually try to have dinner ready and waiting for him, but I got caught too far from home, too late in the day. He settled for a simple meal he whipped up and had ready with a smile on his face when I got home. How nice is that?

144. Coming home from a long day away to find a phone message and an e-mail asking if I would be interested in a job that just opened up. Would I?!!!

145. Waking up to a dusting of snow. 

146. Classic Christmas movies.

Waiting to see what Surprises God has in store for me, today. Every day is a new adventure.

Purpose, Plan, and Promise Procures Prize :-D

I have struggled with food and weight issues most of my life, and it continues today. The gifts from yesterday are mostly from the power of His Word. These are my memory verses for the week. I couldn't stop at just one, because they have all been working together to give me victory in the war even if there are battles lost along the way!

135. My purpose, strength, and energy:

"...'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'" John 4:34

136. My plan:

"...'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.'” Luke 22:40

137: My promise:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

138.  Getting out and completing the three mile run with an additional mile power walk when I didn't feel like doing anything.

139.  An e-mail of encouragement from my "Big Sister", Jan about her battles and victories in the same areas.

140. Getting up after I stumble and fall...

Thank you, Lord, for your Mercy and Grace. May I extend that same mercy and grace to others who have stumbled and fallen, extending a hand to help them up.

Calls From Yonder

It's one thing when my daughter calls me - it's always a delight, she is one of my three VERY BESTEST friends. But when my son calls, it's a gift.

132. Receiving a call from Chad thanking me for the package and it's contents.

133. Standing in Meijer listening to an AWESOME letter of recommendation from a professor. It ministers to my heart to hear the positive qualities other adults appreciate in my children.

134. Finally picking up the cell, knowing it was Chad (we ignored the rings on the home phone during dinner). Hearing the excitement in his voice after receiving word on his final grade in Physics, a class he struggled with last year. I think there's a high school teacher in Oxford who will be receiving a call today from a former student. :-)

Thank you for the relationship we have with our children. I pray that it continues to grow with us as we all move into new stages of life.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward." Pslam 127:3

LIFE on Monday

I look forward to spending my Monday evenings with a group of about 12-14 ladies whom I love dearly. They are precious gifts from the Lord to me. Some of the blessings I received yesterday:

127. All my LIFE group ladies arriving before their leaders! (And I was EARLY!) What an encouragement to me that these ladies value our time together every Monday night. They are eager to meet, fellowship, open the Word, and share what God is teaching them through the study.

128. A quiet voice speaks up...Oh what a joy to have one of the quieter members "jump" right in and say (with a huge smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes) "Before we get started, I have something I want to say..." 'twas music to my ears.

129. The ladies following up last week's study by bringing more information. They are learning that we don't accept, "Somewhere in the Bible it says..." The excitement that comes from actually finding it "in the Bible" and being able to share it with everyone else is precious.

130. Apprentices who make the meeting interesting, adding their style and personality by bringing in new ideas, and implementing new ways of doing the same old thing.

131. Knowing how much time each woman is putting in to her study at home during the week, and loving it! We're in the middle of an inductive study that requires anywhere from a half hour to an hour each day for 6 days a week. They come prepared and are telling me they want MORE...another study like this!

How can I not be excited? It is my passion to help people KNOW Jesus, His Word, and help them to apply it so that they grow in His likeness. Thank you, Lord, for Mondays!

 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:9-14