Our families2015 in review..

Hello friends and Family,

I did not get Christmas cards or letters sent out this year because I planned to write a blog post about our year for your enjoyment.. Now that Christmas has passed and we are enjoying our first "big" snow of the year and waiting for the last few days of 2015 to come to pass I have decided to write about the year...

This year has been one filled with so many new and exciting things, as well as changes, losses, good byes and even a few hellos.. I believe we have felt and seen all the emotions a human can feel this year.. We have had ups and downs but through it all we Praise God almighty for allowing us not just the ups, but the downs and knowing that although we may not know the reason things happened as they have He knows and is in control.

I think I will start with Jordin Mckenzie..

He is now 22 and MARRIED.. Where in the world did the time go? Shouldn't he still be mommy's little boy who was always wanting to help others?? Oh wait he still is a helper.. He works hard and is always willing to help others.. I am super proud of him and how he has grown into such a great young man who loves the Lord.. So on November 28th he married a beautiful young lady named Katie.. She is a sweetheart and I am proud to call her my Daughter. She is a blessing.. They went to Hawaii for a week for their honeymoon.. We may not get to see them much but they are a busy young hardworking married couple.. Here are a couple pictures from the wedding.. 1st is of my handsome now married son and I and then the 2nd is of me and all of my kids..

Jillian Nichole is now 20 years old and getting ready to finish up her Junior year at Northwest Missouri State.. When she finishes that she is headed off to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for basic training for the Army National Guard... She is busy with school and working we don't see much out of her but she still calls once, twice, three times sometimes 6, 7, 8 or 9 times a day and makes sure we don't forget she is around.. :) Her boyfriend just graduated Basic training and will be starting AIT soon. He is home for Christmas so she is busy.. :) She is doing excellent in school and I am proud of her.. She has goals and she is working hard to achieve her goals.. She is happier than I have seen her in awhile and I suspect it has a lot to do with Levi.. I said years ago those two would end up together and I well I am even more sure I am right.. He is a good kid and together those two will do great things... Jill is a real fighter when things aren't going as planned she fights hard to get things right.. Keep on keeping on Jillian I am proud of you..Here is a picture of Miss Jillian and Her man Levi..

Joslyn Grace is now 18 and has had quite a year.. She finally got her permit, helped at Church camp, went to Church camp and well went on Mission trip where on the 2nd full day she got a spiral fracture in her pinky finger requiring surgery on that Thursday.. Talk about a game changer.. My happy go lucky not mouthy girl turned into a grouch.. She was one mad girl 1st because she had to miss Worlds of Fun day with the Mission trip crew. 2nd she was out of summer sports.. 3rd.. The pain meds and her did not get along.. They made her a grumpy grumpy girl.. I was so happy and I believe she was too that she was off them.. We made a couple trips to see our loves Leah, Shelby and the girls in Wichita and then it was time for school to start.. Joslyn started her senior year of high school and softball season came to an end early for reasons beyond control. Basketball has started and is off to a great start.. (sorta). Joslyn was high scorer in a game with 23 points and then was named to the All Tournament team at the Gallatin Tournament.. Hdc conference games started on 12/12 with a game between Joslyn and her cousin Emily who plays for Grundy.. Joslyn's team won and she sprung her ankle.. She kept playing till the following Thursday night which ended up in a trip to the er.. She was on crutches for a bit and is healing but still not released to play.. We are hoping by the time school starts back in January hopes to be as good as new.. Oh yes and she made it to State in the 300 hurdles.. She wants to teach elementary after college.. Here are a couple pictures of her..1st is her and her fellow senior players and 2nd is one of her senior pictures.. Lets Go #40

Jacob Aaron.. Well he is now 16 and has his permit, but I can't seem to get him to drive for me at all. He is kinda like Joslyn he will either walk or his friends or mom will give him a ride.. He thinks he is a master negotiator but I am not convinced.. What was once my quiet, shy, helpful loving son has now blossomed into a full on teenage boy who likes to try to push his moms buttons, trying new things and all this momma can do is pray that he stays out of trouble and grows into a great young man.. He is smart and funny and has plans that he says include joining some type of military when he is older.. I tell him he will have to be more active than he is right now. LOL if he could spend all his time playing Ruinscape he would be happy.. I am praying he will decide to play sports next year.. He is in the 10th grade this year and I guess thought he should take the year off.. He is very smart and handsome.. He does run track and he is really good at it.. I am praying that he runs again this year and that both he and his sister make it to state.. I am proud of him and our goals for the upcoming year is learning to cook more stuff and possibly even baking.. :) Here are a couple pictures of handsome 16 year old who is taller than me, loving and sometimes onery and antagonistic son..Yes it is hard to get a normal picture of this kid.. :)

Jeremiah Hunter Wingate.. Where shall I start with this boy?? He is fun loving, kind, helpful, busy, onery and well I could go on and on.. He has taken to showing rabbits the past couple of summers and has done really well.. His grandpa built him like a rabbit hutch to beat all hutches.. We have 3 rabbits and we did have a rooster and a hen, but praise the Lord they have gone to better homes.. Thanks to Kerri, Michael, Wayne and Christina.. He is excited and loves showing them.. He really wants to show a cow, but I have no where to keep one or the equipment to keep one going and to show.. He is all boy.. video games, outdoors, bikes, sports and ummmm GIRLS... ugh help me please.. He plays basketball and he runs track... He is a fast little guy and a lot of fun to watch.. He is still a shorty and I am hoping someday he takes a growth spurt and gets some height.. He is growing up and is somewhat calmer.. He is willing to help anyone out and sometimes has the temper of a redhead but is also the most loving child.. If only he applied himself in school like he does to his rabbits, irritating his siblings and helping others.. :) I am not complaining he is a pretty good kid and I am blessed.. Here is a a couple of pictures of him.. :) Ag teacher has him and his friend take out the trash and this is how my kid rides back to class.. :) and the 2nd picture is him on the first day of 8th grade.. Next year high school.. Wow where has the time gone?

I quit my job at the school.. It was way more stress than I could take. I am now a waitress at a new Diner in Trenton.. I am loving it.. It is less stress and well things are looking up.. For the first time in a longtime I feel like I can breath a that life is on the upswing.. I have to say 2015 was full of ups downs and emotions but the one thing I help steadfast too was that God was in control and He would carry me when I wasn't sure I could keep going.

We lost my Aunt Inis, then my aunt Louise and then just a short time after she turned 98 we lost my last living grandma Mary.. I was able to sit with her and tell her I loved her and goodbye the evening and early morning hours before she passed.. My sister Megan and I along with my dad and all his siblings sat up at the Nursing home. Megan and I left a couple of hours before she passed but what  blessing to witness and share the stories.. The week before we had the first real family gathering at the Rowoth farm in forever.. It was a great time and I can't wait for another one..
My mom has had some problems one of which is Fuchs Dystrophy which effects eyesight.. She has had many dr appointments and a few surgeries.. It was during one of the many trips to the dr I learned that I also have it so I have to keep an eye on things.. No punn intended.. :)
So I gained a daughter in law, the kids and I moved into a new (to us) little house a few months ago and we are warm and cozy and the roof doesn't leak.. I am working at a job I truly do enjoy, I have more time at home with the kids and am able to attend their school and social events. The kids are all growing and doing really good. God has surely blessed me with some great friends, great family and the best kids..
The one change that was made that I am not happy about and am in the process of changing is that with the job change I have not been able to be at Church, which I am missing.. That my friends will be changing because I need and want the fellowship with other sisters and brothers in Christ.. God has held my family and I in the palm of His hands in 2015. I am excited to see what all He does for us, with us and through us in 2016.

My prayer for my friends, family and those who may read this post/ letter is this..
      Dear Heavenly Father.. I lift up all my friends, family and those who might read this post. I know you are the one who holds us when we cannot or do not feel like going on in life.. I know that many are hurting or sick Father and I ask that you touch them, their lives and families. Father for those who may or may not read this that either have known You and trusted You but have fallen or slipped away Father please pull them back to You and help them to know that You are the only one who can help them and that You are the reason for them and that You can change their lives and make it so much better.. Father we could all use a reminder that You love us and that You gave Your only Son for us and that You are always with us and that You do not really ask that much out of us.. You ask for us to trust You, love You and let you be Lord of our Lives.. Father forgives us for letting life get us too busy and not putting You forefront in our lives.. You are the reason for our lives and the blessings.. Thank You dear Lord for all You have and will do for Us.. Help us to never forget Who You are and that You are the author of life and You love us more than anyone ever will.. Father thank You for the 5 wonderful kids You have blessed me with and my daughter in lay. I am blessed Father and it is only You.. Help us to make sure our hearts and lives are a reflection of Your love, grace and mercy.. I thank You Lord for not just the good things that happen but the not so good as there are lessons in both.. You are the Almighty.. Thank You for loving me and showing me Love, Grace and Mercy that I do not deserve. Send a special blessing to all those who read this and those that are near and dear to me.. In Jesus Name I pray, ask and thank You for these things.. Amen..

May 2016 be filled with all the love, joy and blessings God has for you.. May you realize that without Jesus Christ none of this would be possible.. He is the ONLY way to Heaven and everlasting life.. I hope you choose Him and His ways..