#53 Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Hi All - Last night I headed out with friends to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum. It is #53 on the 100 things every Detroiter must do and see! We have been slowly going to each of the places (not in order). We had a great time. It's like going to an arcade and circus and the same time. I know that Isaac and Adam would have a blast!!

I better run - we had an ice storm last night and it is going to take me a while to get to church! Have a wonderful day. Tracy

Grandma is a CHAMP!

Hello All - Isn't Grandma a Champ! I couldn't believe it when I called her house the day of the surgery and she answered the phone. She was very chipper and was able to tell me all about her day. Grandma - you are still in my prayers for a continued speedy recovery.
Love, Tracy

Happy Weekend

Hello Family - I hope you are all well. I've been thinking of Grandma as she gets ready for her upcoming surgery. I am so glad that there is something the doctors can do to help her with the pains she has in her legs.

This weekend Mom and Dad are visiting Pete in Chicago. When I called them earlier they were on their way to IKEA. I wonder if they found anything!

Last night and this morning I went to a Beth Moore Conference. It was a great message on our friendships with man and with God. Beth is a very honest and humble speaker who gives it everything she's got. I got a lot out of the conference. I would encourage everyone to go see her if you have the chance. The worship leader for the weekend was Travis Cottrell. My two favorite songs his team lead were "Lord, You are Holy" and "Revelation Song". You can visit his website and click on the music tab to listen to the songs. Most of his music isn't necessarily my style - but I really do love the words to his songs.

I hope you are all enjoying family, friends, and rest this weekend.

I love you. Tracy

Adding Labels

Hi Everyone - Did you know that when you write your posts that you can add a label. A label is just a way to categorize our posts and keep them organized. I have already started adding labels to old posts. You can choose a label that already exists or create a new one. All you have to do is type in the label just below the compose box. If you want to see the list of labels that already exists click on show all in the bottom right hand corner. You can select more than one label. I am going to label this blog as "using blogger". Give it a try the next time you write a post. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tracy

Snow Day!

I can't believe it - another day off of school. I spent and hour shoveling last night and 2 hours this morning. I think that might count as some activity points for weight watchers!

Tracy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello everyone!
The boys are very excited about their Valentine's Day celebrations at school today. Candy, treats and cards from friends -- and their favorite girls : ). Isaac had a fever last night and was worried he wouldn't be able to go to school today, but woke up feeling fine and couldn't wait to go. Ryan had a gift bag full of goodies for me set out this morning. The best thing was season 1 DVDs of the show Boston Legal. He's watched it from the start but I just started watching it this season and love it! I'm not one to sit and watch dramas or sitcoms but each week we enjoy watching this together and look forward to it each week. The funniest part was last night when we sat down to watch it and the theme song started I said in a very goofy mood "This music just brings joy to me heart!" and I danced along with it, not knowing I'd get a whole season's worth today! Ryan and I had a good long laugh about that this morning -- the boys thought we were nuts.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day full of love from friends and family! We love all of you!
Joy and the Carlson men

It's Snowing

Hello Family - I hope you are well. It is starting to snow in the metro Detroit area tonight. We will probably get just around 6 inches (that might be a bit hopeful). Last Monday and Tuesday we didn't have school because it was so incredibly cold. So I doubt that the district will budge on another day off of school tomorrow. We cancelled Bible study tonight since the roads are so slippery. I'm just about to head outside to shovel with the snow scoop. I love that old snow scoop - Dad told me that Grandpa made it. People don't have scoops around here - they just shovel or use the snow blower. I prefer the scoop - it's good exercise and it doesn't hurt my back.

Over the past few weeks 3 of my students have been selling red AIDS ribbons at school to help with my upcoming trip to South Africa. They've sold almost $150 ribbons. I was really touched that they put the event together. Now, even the teachers are selling them. It's been really fun to see people wearing them around school. I am going to bring my camera to school and get some pictures of folks wearing them. We are going to create a "Thank You" video that airs during the announcements. It will really be great.

Did everyone get a chance to watch Tim conducting the other day. I thought it was fantastic. I watched Tim's performance and then listened to the rest of the concert online. Tim says that they will eventually make it available to download on to our computers. Isn't technology something else?

All-righty! - I hope you are all doing FANTASTIC!

Grandma - I have been praying for you and your upcoming surgery - that the surgeons can fix the arteries easily and that you have an extraordinarily fast and painless recovery! I love you. Tracy

Happy Birthday Uncle Ken

I hope it is a wonderful day!! Full of fun, family, and celebration.
May God watch over you another year - keep you safe - and bless you tremendously.

Brrrr!

Hello!
I hope everyone is staying warm! Where did January go??? Hopefully the rest of the winter will go as fast! We spent a wonderfully relaxing weekend with some friends in Madison. The hotel had a great little waterpark so we all spent lots of time swimming and playing. We only get a chance to see these friends about once a year and it was great to catch up! Ryan is watching the Super Bowl and I keep thinking of Peter down in Chicago wondering if he's become a Bear's fan. We haven't been able to muster up any goodwill for Da Bears so it's been a fun game to watch. Adam kept asking when "the king" was going to sing -- referring to Prince's halfime show. He keeps us laughing! We have a new nephew! My younger brother Jon and his wife have a new addition -- Joshua, who was born a week ago and joins his 4 year old brother Luke. We hope we can get down to Nashville to see them sometime soon!
Stay warm everyone! We miss you all!
Love, Joy

A Fabulous Frigid February

Hi All,
It's so cold outside that my garage door won't open again this morning. I don't blame it - why let the cold air in?

Hope you are all staying warm.
Miss you - Tracy