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!