Happy Kansas Day to one and all:

For some reason, theme based events just really appeal to me.  Think of all those somewhat unusual theme birthday parties the children and Tim experienced-many probably more fun for me than them.  Although, our Kansas Day celebration was not as glamorous and exciting as Caleb’s we tried.  First off work-work has been a trial.  (see Chris’ last post).  In order to improve overall building morale some of us planned a Kansas Day celebration.  Here are a few pictures. 

Sunflower pens to use at the Box Office

My attempt to make decorated sunflower cookies.  I don't think I'll do it again:)  Kudos to those of you who do cakes and etc.

Table decorations with cookies at work.  Think the napkins made the cookies look better.

  We had lots of food and it did seem to raise spirits.  We continued the party for family dinner.  I told them we needed a picture but assured them no one had to look directly at the camera!  

Family Dinner Kansas Day 2016

January has passed fairly uneventful.  Early in January we celebrated a friend’s 100^th birthday.  She used to tell me that January was her favorite month as it was a time to regroup and enjoy the quiet.  I think she told me that once when I was complaining how I dislike January.  It actually helped and I try really hard to see it that way.  So our regrouping has included actually getting a wall paper border up in the kitchen I had on hand for a year (that was more toward the end of December) and caulking the bathtub.  That was an adventure.  No one told me just because you quit squeezing the tube the stuff does not necessarily stop. 

Kitchen border-it's important to notice the pigs because

I needed a reason to hang up all my wonderful pig things I've been collecting.  It looks rather wild in the picture but it is fun.

My project I’m working on now is cleaning Tim’s desk and various papers up.  He is about to go off the board of Cause for Paws so that will decrease the amount of paper around the house.  We are finishing January up by going to the Cause for Paws auction fundraiser.  Gus is a king candidate and will be wearing a tux.  His tux will then be saved for the WEDDING EVENTS.  Yes, the Givans are actually having wedding events, thanks to Theresa and Chris.  August seems to be the time and details will be shared when we know more.  Theresa celebrated the holidays with us and that didn’t seem to scare her off so that’s good.  We really enjoy her. 

Kate’s plans for 2016 include a trip to Disney World-yes she and Gus will be travelling.  She will be going around her birthday with her friend Adam and his mom and another friend.  They are driving out and back.  She’s really excited about it.  Tim and I will be at home taking care of the various 4 legged friends.

Now to leave you with some random Kansas facts.

At one time it was against the law to serve ice cream on cherry pie.

If you are going to cross a highway in Kansas at night you are required to wear headlights. (this cracks me up)

Catching fish with your bare hands is illegal in Kansas.  (I’m sure everyone reading this is really disappointed by that one.)

In closing special thanks to Kansasan Omar Knedlik of Coffeyville who invented the first frozen carbonated drink machine in 1961.  I’m hooked (once again) on icees.

My stress drink of choice., also my happy drink, sad drink and whatever reason I think of to have one:)

Love Auntie and Tim

Celebrations for Winter!

 With winter has come lots of fun celebrations, that we have enjoyed with family!  My school work is still the same and some days you just wonder....:)  Randy is traveling again through the week and usually home on the weekends.  He did get a break this week by being home for three extra days - yeah!  We enjoyed a trip to Mary and Kurtis's with Charles January 1-4.  It was nice to see their new place they are looking to buy and Mary's show, Allegiance.  The show was well done but was hard to watch at times as history showed the US did not treat the Japanese people well at all.  Here are a few of the many celebrations we have enjoyed since last we wrote.

Not sure this was enjoyed but an interesting adventure at our house! Nov. 30, 2015

Olivia's 5th birthday cake - Nov. 21, 2015

Kinley's 3rd birthday celebration - Dec. 12, 2015

Adelynn's pre-school program. Dec. 18, 2015
We also enjoyed Olivia's on Dec. 11th but I forgot my camera. :(

Family gift exchange at Grandma and Grandpa's Dec. 20, 2015

Our live Xmas tree!

Christmas Day dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Mary and Kurtis in front of the entrance to their new place.

Enjoying the park not far from their new place.
Wonderful view and lots of fun in the warmer weather.

Mary and I always enjoy a picture by the famous Little Red Lighthouse.
If you haven't read the book you can borrow mine.

In front of the theater where Allegiance is playing.

The granddaughters on Olivia's birthday.  They are all very special and so much fun.
 We anxiously await the two new grandchildren!

Happy 2016

Happy New Year everyone!

This last year was a year of growth.

I am proud to say that I went all of 2015 without being in the psych ward or treatment and this is quite an accomplishment. I had a lot of help from all of you, friends, Gus and the dogs and my treatment team but I am very proud of myself. As I move into the New Year I am starting EMDR therapy which is a very intense process that involves recalling trauma memories. I anticipate things might get a little rocky so I'm celebrating this victory while I can. We've also been working with my medication and that is always dicey so things in my world may get a little rough for awhile. But I'm ready for it. I've needed this time of stability in order to face these next hard steps of healing and moving forward. I can't fully recover until I face all of my past and it's time to do that now.

I am excited to say I will be celebrating five years outside of treatment in February. I arrived home from The Center for Change in February of 2011 and have managed to remain in recovery for my eating disorder so I am excited to celebrate. We are planning on going to Hatch Studios which for those who do not know is a place in Hutchinson where you can go and they will help you paint a picture. You are all invited!

Of course the big news in The Givan world is that Chris is engaged! I'll let him tell the story but I'm very excited we will be adding Theresa to the family. I've always wanted a sister and she already considers me one so I'm loving that she'll be around permanently. We have been having Harry Potter movie nights and making Chris sit through them (she started them and has invited me to the last couple) with us and it's been lots of fun. We just have the two parts of 7 left.

I'm continuing to love my little house with Brutus (the cat), Shona and Gus living with me. Benny has moved to stay with the parents for more consistency and to live where there is no cat. Surprisingly seizure Benny does not do well with cats. I see him almost everyday though and he is very happy. Gus is Gus and is going through a rebellious teenager stage but he still works well on vest. We'll take his public access test sometime this spring I believe.

I believe that's all that's new in my world. I'm looking forward to the new year even though thinks could be challenging at times. I hope you are all looking forward to your 2016 as well.

- Kate and the dogs (plus one cat)

Shook News and Notes

October brought birthdays for Tim and Vicki.  Unfortunately we have left the "50 somethings".  We had many Happy Birthday wishes from family and friends.

We visited Erik in Tulsa and went to their acquarium.

We also went to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  Andrew and Katie hosted in their new house.  There were 13 total with Katie's parents, brothers, one girlfriend, and one set of grandparents.  Tim and I were treated to an evening at the opera as our birthday gift from the kids.  Tim said it was more of a musical with opera singing since it also had speaking and it was in English.   "The Merry Widow."
The sets were amazing, a grand ballroom with 2 circular staircases, a back courtyard and a brothel.
We also visited a BaHai temple and the Chicago Educational center

Andrew and Katie were home for a short visit in December and currently James and Hannah and Erik are home for Christmas.  Yeah!

The handbell group gave an amazing Christmas gift.  They all helped make the quilt shown below.

Samuel continues to improve.  He has started the vocational rehab interviews and job assessments and they hope to have a place for him to start work within a couple of months.  He has found a new kitty to join our family.  Her name is Nadia.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all