Sometimes Christmas Makes Me Cry

At my job this past week, I've wished my customer's a "Merry Christmas" when I was done with their transaction. As we are approaching Christmas Eve & Day; with excitement in the air over Christmas vacation, presents, making memories, etc. it occurred to me for many Christmas may not be so "Merry."

Is there an empty seat at your Christmas Dinner table this year? Do you have a loved one serving in the military? A strained relationship with someone? A loved one that has passed away? Someone close to you battling illness? Is it hard to sometimes find joy in the holiday?

A young (32 years old) mother, from the church we attended in Willmar, passed away from a long battle with cancer a couple days ago. She leaves behind a husband and a young son. My brother-in-law, Kevin, had his Mom pass away a few years back. I believe her funeral was on Christmas Eve.

The holidays can be about toys, togetherness, but also tears. This week as we gather together with friends and family, let's try to remember those that may be mourning, are alone, or can't shake being "down" and say a prayer for them. May God's love, peace, and joy fill up our hearts and minds as we try to focus on the birth of God's Son and having a real "Merry" Christmas.

Boy Time

Last Friday Sam had his belated 10th birthday party. In October, Sam's real birthday month, we asked him what he'd like to do with his buddies for a party...Sam picked tubing at Great Bear (a GREAT tubing/skiing area here.) Since there wasn't any snow in October we decided to wait until December. If truth be told, the snow the boys tubed on was man-made since we hadn't had any measureable snow fall yet this year. (That all changed in a day - got 8 inches on Saturday!) Anyway, after pizza, presents, and tubing til 10pm all the guys headed home. Sam had a great time and we hope the other guys did too. The coaches of Team Utzig sure enjoy these guys and it is a pleasure watching their friendships grow along with their height and shoe sizes!! Thanks for checking in!

Gingerbread House Day

Last Friday was a big day for the Kindergarten kids...Gingerbread House Day! 5 years ago I remember doing this with Sam, now it was Summer's turn. The kids were soooo excited to have a parent or grandparent at school to help with this project. There are some very creative people out there as their gingerbread houses were outstanding. Us girls just had fun being together, getting messy, and sneaking a sweet treat once and a while. Along with our finished house and Summer's photo, is a picture of Sum's best bed Grace. They are having a super Kindergarten year together and have a wonderful group of little friends...we are so thankful! Hope you liked these "sweet" photos!

Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowery

Can you tell I like music...just a bit? I've often thought my name should have been Melody as I LOVE music...all kinds from Hymns to Contemporary. You may get tired of me posting videos but hey, it's my blog. Something I tire of is the lack of Christ in Christmas. I've heard of schools where kids cannot sing Christmas carols that mention Christ, people that only say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," running around to find that "perfect" gift, people nervous about preparing the "perfect" meal, Santa Claus getting more attention than the Savior of the World.

This video is of the song "Mary Did You Know." This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. As a young girl, I thought it was neat that I shared Jesus' mother's name. Now, as a mom myself, I often have wondered what it must have been like to give birth to, raise, watch my son...who was also my Savior. What stories, wonderment, and amazement must have accompanied Mary many times.

Christmas cookies are nice (just ask Mark..he's addicted), presents are great, family time is nice, yet without Christ in Christmas it is just another day. So, let's all not worry if the meal isn't done right, we couldn't find that "perfect" gift, or if someone blinked on the Christmas Card photo. HE is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas Everybody!

Hunting 101

Yes, you really are seeing Mark in hunting gear holding a dead pheasant...that HE SHOT!! Thanks to some of my Dad's conservation land with plenty of pheasants; and our niece's husband, Mark, who invited my Mark to come along with his band of brothers to find some birds. For his first time out hunting Mark U. (two Marks in one family is confusing!!) was proud of himself (as were we!!) I have a feeling this may become a Thanksgiving tradition. On a side note, besides pheasants, the guys saw lots of deer, and even a coyote. Thanks Mark T. for inviting Mark U. along, and helping him get his mark! Nice job guys!

Party Time

50 Years Ago on December 30, 1960 Mel Bulthuis & Joyce Roelofs were married. The bride wore a white velvet wedding dress, her two bridesmaids were in red velvet. Miss Roelofs chose red roses for her bouqet, white ones for her attendants. After a honeymoon to the Ozarks in Arkansas, they made their life on a farm in MN. Why am I telling you this? These two people are my parents. Their three children, in-laws, grandchildren, and even a great-grandchild threw them a party over Thanksgiving weekend. The first photo is of the bride & groom (50 years later) at the food table. Next is of their children - in birth order - Michael, Michele & Mary (hey, that's me!) The third photo is of granddaughter Elizabeth, her husband Mark, and great-grandson Landon (got my baby fix with this sweetie pie.) Fourthly is my brother Mike, his wife Lenae, and their daughters - Elizabeth, Stephanie, & Melanie, son-in-law Mark, and grandson Landon. Next is my sister, Michele, her hubby Kevin, and their sons, James & Matthew. Last of all is me with our Team Utzig. With half of marriages ending in divorce now, it is a great reason to celebrate one that has stood the test of time. Along with the test of time is the passage of time; I was sure reminded of this as we all have aged, grandkids have sure grown, and another generation is already on its way..little Landon. God is good all the time and all the time God is good..from generation to generation. Hope you liked the photos!

End of the Beginning - David Phelps

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! While making my pies for tomorrows feast I, as always, had Life 96.5 FM flowing in my kitchen. The DJ was speaking about the different things he was thankful for. Along with counting my many blessings such as husband, kiddos, home, country; I needed the reminder that on the top of my list should be Jesus' sacrifice for me (and you!!). This song is another thing I am thankful for...what a message...what a God-given talent this man has! I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family, safe travels, and say a big AMEN at the end of this song. I hope you enjoy it!

A Few of Her Favorite Things

What has Summer been up to lately? Here are a few photos that will help answer that question: The first photo is Summer & Dad playing BINGO. Sum is C-R-A-Z-Y for Bingo (just ask Sam!) After supper most evenings we usually play at least one game. We've found it to be fun and has really helped her learn her numbers. The second photo is of a hat Sum made in school; on it she wrote words that rhymn with hat...mat, cat, sat, etc. The third photo is what Summer looked like on Kindergarten "Hat Day." She wore her Dora Baseball hat, thought she was pretty in pink. In the fourth picture Dad & Summer are snuggling during a lazy fall afternoon watching football. Sum got so cozy she fell gently asleep. Here comes another Purple People Eater - A.K.A. - Summer Joy. She found Sam's coat, hat, & gloves and thought she'd try them on. The last picture is Summer wearing her "Alphabet Queen" crown. When you are chosen to be the "Alphabet Queen" the whole class learns how to spell your name. Obviously hats and crowns seem to be pretty cool stuff in the 5 and 6 year old crowd. I hope you got a smile from some of our Summer photos..she sure brings many to this team!

ZOO DAY

Last week was an extra special day for Sam's 4th Grade Class. Each student had to pick an animal to research, write a report on, and make a paper mache model of. Sam picked the Red Tailed Hawk. I included some photos of Sam with his Hawk. I must say he deserved the "A" he got (Mom does too!) on this whole project. I also included a few of Sam's buddies with their animals. We wanted you to get a mini-zoo tour. Collin has a Box Turtle, Isabel the Peacock (she is also Summer's reading buddy...they get together weekly in school & Isabel reads to Sum), Mason the Deer, and Damon did the Scorpion.

The kids all did a super job with their animals and the pride sure did show on their faces. I applaud the teachers; this was a neat (although time-consuming) assignment that got the kids excited. They not only learned facts about their animals, their habitats, but also had to find a Bible verse that spoke of their animal (if possible) and write about it's place in God's creation. The only verse we could find about a Hawk or Bird of Prey was Isaiah 46:11 "From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do."

We hope you enjoyed the Zoo photos. Team Utzig thanks you for checking in!

Halloween 2010

Kids were both excited to have Halloween arrive...free candy and dressing up does that. Weather was in the 50's, so Sam & Sum were bundled a bit to hit the neighborhood. Sam was a Pirate (liked the sword, had many victims) and Summer was Tinkerbell (I must tell you I was delighted with her choice this year...something girly!!) I got smart and put the candy bowl outside with a note attached. It read "Trick or Treat, please take 1 and have tons of fun." I must admit, not hearing the doorbell ring and dog bark 40 times tonight was a treat for me. Here's some photos for you. Thanks for checking in!

I Can Only Imagine ~ Mercy Me (Symphony Version)

Many times when Mark & I were in Florida we would comment at what a paradise it was...white sand, palm trees, warm sunshine. One day, as Mark was talking about this again I replied "Yeah, can you just imagine what Heaven will be like then? Made us both ponder that thought.

On my way home from bringing Summer to school this morning, the song "I Can Only Imagine" came on KDCR FM. This made me think back to our conversation on the beach of just the other day.

I posted MercyMe's video with the London Symphony's version of the song. If you want, close your eyes, listen, and just imagine what one day you may see. Enjoy.

Footprints in the Sand

The Coaches of Team Utzig had a chance to get away. Since the kids didn't have school for a couple days, we thought we'd send them to get their Farm Fix with Grandpa & Grandma B. while we headed for sun & fun in Tampa, FL. We slept in, spent our days at Clearwater Beach being bums, ate our meals outside on the patio of one of the boardwalk restaurants, and in the evening watched the sights from our hotel balcony. Relaxation was the theme. Mark spent most of his time napping in the sun while I devoured 3 Karen Kingsbury books.

Mark and I missed the kids, yet really enjoyed "escaping" for a while. Once we landed and got the whole team back together again, it was definitely "back to reality." Bare cupboards, a mountain of laundry, bags everywhere, 100 + work emails for Mark, and an Acute Care visit for 2 kids for 2 sinus infections.

As I now sit at the computer with the cupboards not bare anymore, the laundry now a mound instead of a mountain, one child at school the other home getting rest, and Coach Mark leaving town for most of the week; I am thankful for the "re-charging" of our batteries and the time alone with my handsome hubby. Whatever the next days, months, years throw at us FL is only one pleasant memory away. I hope you like the shots we shared. Now, go make some memories too - preferably in some 85 degree sunshine!

Happy Birthday To You!

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Sam, Happy Birthday to you!" Can you tell what day it was at our house? Yep, Sam's big 10th!

Sam had a good couple of days celebrating his double digits. Had a buddy overnite, Pizza Ranch & arcade for supper, presents, (including the Nebraska Cornhusker Jersey he's wearing in the photos, was a hit.) cake, phone calls from grandparents, and beautiful weather. I think if you asked Sam he would say his 10th was a success.

Thanks to those of you who remembered Sam on his day with calls, cards, and/or presents. Thanks for checking in and celebrating with us!

10 Years Ago Today

Ten Years Ago Today....

I became a Mom. For some reason, Sam hitting his 10th Birthday is a bittersweet moment for me. I cannot quite wrap my head around it. He can't really be in double digits already, can he?

The past few days my mind has been replaying memories of the past, here are a few I thought I would share:

The complete shock & awe of God's timing. After 4 long infertility years, one miscarrage, hundreds of tears, reading 1 Samuel 1 more times than I could count, God allowed us to become parents. So thankful, now, to Him for that struggle.

Healthy baby boy, Samuel Mark Utzig, born at 7:07 a.m., weighing 7 lbs, 7oz. on a rainy, fall day.

Sam not yet a year old, sitting in his car seat at a Perkin's Restaurant, smiling at the pretty blonde waitress every time she came around (like father like son!)

Many hours of pushing Sam in the tire swing, teaching him to play baseball with the big, orange, plastic bat & ball when he was a toddler.

Riding in the combine with Grandpa B. - started when Sam was literally in diapers, still loves to do this today...although now he enjoys DRIVING it! Countless hours cutting alfalfa, rock picking with the CAT, riding in the semi. As a country girl, it warms my heart that my child has gotten this "stuff" in his blood too.

Moving. Being the nervous new kid at school. Sam being excited when another new boy came to school named Damon and sat at his Kindergarten table. As I hear the two of them "fishing" on the Wii now, I am thankful for that friendship and the others he has made here.

Dad coaching baseball & football and Sam loving to play both. How Sam used to get up before school and watch cartoons...now it is Sports Center on ESPN. Sam always loved going to MN Twins games...used to be for the peanuts (Grandpa U. & Dad couldn't get them out of their shell fast enough) now it is ANY baseball or football game. He watches the plays, dreams of being on the field, and keeps track of the stats...are there even peanuts anymore??

Sam's quick wit. He may not say much, but he can come up with some good ones. He still enjoys reading, likes school & learning, most the time is tender to his sister. He is my "thinker." Sam has plans A,B,& C lined up for any given situation.

Enough looking back. I am almost afraid to look ahead, as the next ten years will surely pass more quickly than the last 10 have. In ten years Sam will be 20, out of the house, driving, dating.

As his Mom I am in awe at how great God has been to us this past decade and will be honored to watch him break the shell of childhood and grow (literally) into adulthood. Who will you grow up to be Sam? Teacher, Firefighter, Pastor, Military Commander? Whatever Sam becomes, I hope he always knows what a gift he has been to us, how proud of him we are, and that he can turn to us in any situation, and that his "team" loves him dearly.

Happy 10th Birthday, Sam!

Fall Time

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

Important Things To Remember

The other day I ran across a little book titled "50 Important Things To Remember." Since I only had enough time to quickly page through it, what I had found in its pages made me smile. It went on to list 50 things the author thought we all should never forget. This got me thinking, what would be on my list? I won't bore you with 50, but how about 5? Perhaps you'll find we may share one or two "important things." Here I go:

1. Empty Cross - a few years back, at a church we were attending at the time, had a life-size wooden cross standing up near the pulpit. One Sunday for Communion, the Pastor had us come to the front, stand in front of the cross, and drink/eat the wine and bread in front of the cross. I must say that now, even years later, that really was powerful to me.

2. Little Girls Giggles - Summer has a friend named Grace who has the best low-belly-laugh-giggle you could ever hear. Just hearing those two playing and laughing makes you want to giggle too.

3. Sweet Smells - Fresh Apple Crisp, A Newborn Baby, Carmel Rolls - These are some of my favorites. Apple Crisp reminds me of Fall. Nothing like the smell of new life. (Or is it Johnson Baby Soap??) I was reminded of this again when I held my great-nephew a few months back. Once in a while when I got off the school bus as a kid, I'd open the front door and the smell of warm, fresh carmel rolls would invite me in. That was a very good day (and smell) when Mom made those for an after school snack.

4. Savor the Sweet Words - As my children get older (especially Sam) I remind myself to not take his "I Love You, Mom's" for granted. One day I am sure I will be more uncool than I already am; He won't want me to give him a quick squeeze or peck on the cheek at school, tuck him in bed, and I won't hear "I Love You, Mom" as he heads down the stairs to play on the Wii or go outside.

5. Nature - A dewey Sunrise, powerful Sunset, a hawk flying overhead. God's creation is truely a gift. I think it is important to soak it in, enjoy it, and pass on the love of it to the next generation. God's hand is everywhere if we just look around.

What do you think of my list? What is yours? Do we share any? Thanks for checking in! Now, go do something "important!!"

Lincoln Brewster - The Power Of Your Name (with Darlene Zschech)

Hi Blog Friends. Doin something a bit different for my posts today. I thought I would share a couple songs that have touched me. This song is by one of my top 5 artists, Lincoln Brewster. The guitar at the beginning is amazing/haunting. May we never forget the power of HIS name!

Better Than A Hallelujah Amy Grant

I heard this on KDCR FM (station out of Sioux Center, IA) a while back and it has stuck with me. I Love the piano melody and the line "God still loves the mess we are." Hope you enjoy it too.

Are You Ready For Some Football!?!

Baseball is now a distant, pleasant memory. With the crisping of the air it can only mean one thing...it's FOOTBALL TIME!! Mark and Sam are involved with Sioux Fall's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) flag football program. This year Sam's team is made up of 3rd & 4th graders from Sioux Falls Christian. The name they were given is the Raiders.

FCA is a neat organization. Before each game, the different teams get together and listen to a Christian speaker. The man last night (a former SD Mr. Basketball, now running for office here) gave a short talk about team play books...that God gave us one too..the Bible. He emphasized how that book is the most important one to follow our whole life.

Coach Bryce does a great job with the kids and Mark loves assisting him. Sam had a chance to be quarterback last night; he was excited for that.

Team Utzig tries to emphasize the "Team" aspect of sports & life, good sportsmanship, and having fun with your friends on the field.

The Raiders ended up winning the game and their season now stands at 2-0. Go Raiders!!!