Merry Christmas!
I'm excited about this year! The girls decided they wanted to wake up Christmas morning at G-Ma & G-Pa Hicks'! This will be the 1st time in a long time that we've woke up there on Christmas morning. With the girls getting older....we are doing what they want to during the Holidays - we know our time with them is limited as they grow older, and make new traditions....so for now, I am enjoying this time together.
My mom's sister (Wilma) will also be there on Christmas. I remember so vividly waking up on Christmas morning (around 4am) so excited an anxious to open presents! Then it was on to Grandpa & Grandma Vanderpools house to spend the day with a housefull of cousins/aunts & uncles! Many fond memories...I miss those times when we were all together.....but its also fun starting new traditions. Since the girls have been born I have always wanted them home on Christmas morning - then after that we'd go out to the Sandbergs then head out of town to my parents. As my folks are getting older, they make fewer and fewer trips to the city to see us, and with our busy schedule, we don't get to go visit them as much as I'd like to.....so I enjoy the holidays - where we actually have time to enjoy the visit and we aren't rushing off to get started on a 4 hour drive! ;0)
During Christmas the girls usually spend their Christmas break with my family in the country. Morgan loves going to learn how to make new things - my mom has taught her how to bake, sew and many other things. Cassie has also been taught these things, but does not enjoy it like Morgan does - she enjoys visiting mostly! They enjoy hearing old stories, some of which they get to hear year after year! They are both going to stay till new years eve this year, and my mom is especially excited that they are staying! Morgan and her cousin Megan will be working on a quilt from what I have picked up on....
I hope to post photos from this years Christmas gathering soon. You all be safe and have a blessed Christmas - and remember, Jesus is the greatest gift of all! Please share your gift with others!
Denise & family

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving time is here - so much to be thankful for! So much we take for granted each and every day. Health, family and our friends. I have to say, I am so guilty! I am SO thankful for my family, my sweet husband who I adore, and my two beautiful girls, Cassie and Morgan. They are the most precious gifts I have ever received, and I am so Thankful that God gave them to ME! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother. The most meaningful part of my entire life, is that experience alone! Of course, I would never have experienced this blessing if I had not met and married the man I feel God placed in my life. Life has not always been easy, nor has it always been fun, but the most meaningful things in your life never are - We get out of life, what we put into it - at least that's how I look at it. What time we devote to our families, and that precious time with God......we reap what we sow!
This year, won't you tell those you love that you love them and let them know how thankful you are for them! Each day we need to take it as a gift from God - we are not promised tomorrow.
I am thankful for today!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

well.....it was a busy weekend for us! Friday night, Morgan had play practice till 10:15pm - Rob and I went to church for a pot luck to see see Gabrielle Woods before she headed back to Costa Rico! It was good seeing her again! Saturday, Rob got up early to go put his deer stand up - he got home about 4:30pm. I ran errands Saturday morning and Morgan slept in. We went to O'Charlies for lunch with Valerie....then home. We did laundry and I fixed a meal for a friend who just had a baby....THEN when Rob got back, (around 4:30) we started pulling out all of the STUFF we had in the attic! it was packed! 13 years of boxes that we have not been in once since moving there! SO it was time to get them out and see what was so important that we just HAD to keep them! What a mess! Half the stuff I just looked at Rob and said "What was so important that we even had to pack this stuff?" - We have come to the conclusion we are a wasteful family! so much of the STUFF we bought, and here we sat looking at it with a WHY look on our face! Well....someone else will get to be blessed with all this stuff - a lot of it is pretty good stuff - so we'll see...Salvation Army here we come! Seriously - why do we always think "Oh we might need this SOMEDAY" and pack it away! If we won't use it - then don't keep it - it's my NEW moto!!! So, the rest of this week, I've got about 8 tubs to get thru and pick out what I think we need to keep - I'm talking just Christmas decorations! All the other stuff has been sorted thru and most of it is in the trash! I even found old letters from my old boyfriends and then I found a diary that I had when I was a kid - seriously - why do we hold onto this stuff? I found my journal notebooks I kept when Rob and I started dating too - most of it was just silly - made me laugh - but it's time to let all this stuff go! A clean space makes me feel like I've accomplished a lot!
So, the rest of my week - sorting out Christmas decorations and deciding which ones I think we need to keep! ;0) PLUS I have to get my house ready for company! Cassie is coming home this weekend to see Morgan's 1st porformance in a play at William Chrisman! She is an orphan in the play Annie! (Kate is her character) - Then my mom and my aunt Wilma is coming up to watch it as well! So, I've got to get my house cleaned up! ;0)
I hope to enjoy the week thru all this cleaning! Enjoy YOUR week!
Denise

The end of the month is near......this month is always that time of year I feel hollow. The 25th will be 7 years since God blessed us with Elizabeth Ann entering our lives...however, she exited as fast as she arrived. It's a tough time for me, and I know for everyone in my family. It's hard to talk about this time of month.....everyone seems to just get busy doing other "things" so we don't have to talk about her. I wish I would have done things differently for my girls after we lost Elizabeth. I feel so guilty that I did not know what to do for them. I was there for them, but at the same time, I don't think they felt they could talk to me about her....maybe there were afraid it would upset me? I don't know, but I wish I would have handled things differently....seeked some kind of professional counseling for the loss of a child/sibling. So many things happened during that time that has forever changed my girls.....emotionally, personally.....I see it in them, whether they think I do or not. Some things I think has made us stronger as a family, but other ways, I think the opposite. How do you ever plan or prepare yourself for the loss of a child? How do you ever get over it? Time heals all wounds - at least that's what I've heard, but it's always as if it just happened during this month.....
So many have gone thru losses this past year. I know how their heart aches for the loss of their loved ones.....So many people don't know what to say to people who have gone thru such a loss....people tend to say stupid things.....or comments....not meaning to at all.....but just because they truly don't know what to say. Some people tend to just stay away - because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing.....but you know, to be honest here.....you don't have to say a word. Just be there. Be there to listen. Be there to hug if it is needed. Be there to cry with them. Be there. Be a friend. I know the trials in my life have changed me. I know the trials in my life also changed my family. I know that I am different. I know I have a lot of issues I need to resolve still. I know, I know, I know. Time continues to slip thru my fingers.....my children are no longer children, but young adults. I look at them in amazement that they are my children. They are so beautiful. They are so smart (really, how could they be mine?). They just amaze me. As a parent, I could not be prouder. I love them with all my being and I thank God that he allowed me to have had the experience with them that I never experienced with Elizabeth Ann. I know HE had different plans for her life....and I know someday, we will all be together again.

Fall is here

Fall is here! I love this time of year when the air is crisp and cool, and you have to find that fall sweater tucked in a tub somewhere in the house! Well...I found my fall/winter stuff and now it's time to put away all the summer stuff....always work to do!
We are starting to get into a routine. Cassie off to college....Morgan getting busy with school - tennis season is about over - and she is getting busy with the school play Annie. Also, this month is full of band activities! Friday this week she has to be at school by 5:30am to practice for a pep rally - the school will be on the early morning news! She is excited about that - we'll see how excited she is when I wake her at 5am!!! She also decided she wanted to start piano lessons, so on Tuesdays we will be visiting Ms. Barbara Driskell for a 30 minute lesson! She is excited about it. I have to say, I am too! Morgan went to the homecoming dance last week - with friends. She sure looked beautfiul! She even wore the same dress her sister did her sophomore year! Enjoy the photos!

Life at the Sandbergs, well....it's different these days. I have to say, I still have that pit in my stomach feeling a lot of the time.....it's just a mom missing her daughter. Our house doesn't seem to have as much laughter these days...I miss that. I'm working on myself these days - trying to get myself organized and start doing some more projects that need to be started! Like cleaning out the attic and getting rid of STUFF that just takes up space - I always have good intentions to do this year after year after year, and then another year goes by...and well....it never gets done! Anyone else like that? I really don't look forward to getting in that dark, spider infested (I'm sure) room, but it needs to be done. Thinking it might be fun to have a fall 1 day garage sale to just get rid of the STUFF! But I'm sure that's more work than it's worth - but still might try to do that in a few weeks -

Daisy is continuing to grow and she is the sweetest puppy! We just love her. She is friendly with everyone - even little ones! We were blessed with taking care of Rebecca & Samantha Stark last weekend and Daisy was so good with them - even wanted to share her toys! ;0) We are so glad to have Daisy in our home!
Cassie will be home Oct 25th for the Memorial Softball Game in memory of Don Smith. It will be good to see her! I'm so thankful that she is enjoying school and all that goes along with college life. She sounds so happy when I hear her - which is not very often. We do get an occasional text message. I got some photos out the other day - of her when she was 5 taking dance lessons at MelRoes! Such a beautfiul little girl, and to this day, is just as beautfiul - inside and out!
Fall is here. Nice long walks are much needed. Time to find some solitude and just be with Jesus - sounds so relaxing - and peaceful.
Enjoy the beautiful fall days!
Denise

Empty feeling

It's a weird feeling, having a daughter away in college. The only word that best fits is empty.

Life is going on, we are busy, and enjoying our time with Morgan, but still feel empty w/o sunshine. I know many say this feeling changes in time, and I'm sure it will...but it's how I feel today!

It's been a tough week all around. A friend of Cassie's father passed away to cancer - a cruel disease that has no mercy. We knew him too and they attended our church. His life was changed a year ago when he got the news of this cancer, but his life also changed because he began his walk with God. Kassie, his daughter was a major part in his salvation. It's the only peace & comfort we can take from his passing - my heart breaks for them, cause I know they must miss him so much. I try to imagine what my life would be like today if Rob were taken from us. It's part of this life, death, and I know Rob or I one will have to go thru it. The pain that comes in the pit of my stomach just thinking about it is all I can bear. We need to take each and every day as a true blessing from God. Each breath we take and each minute that passes....all blessings from God. We take so much for granted, at least I'm guilty of that. But this week, my eyes have been opened to what we are blessed with. I'm so grateful/blessed with the children God gave me, for the experience of butterfly and eskimo kisses. For the wonderful feeling of watching your child succeed high school and move into the college phase and beginning of adulthood. For the experience of watching your youngest child start coming out of her shell and try things you never dreamt she'd try!

Time has gone by and life keeps moving along, and I'm trying hard to hold on while each day passes. I pray for my children and their faith - that during these times in their life that they remain strong in their faith - and that they are reminded thru experiences they will face that nothing can snatch them from their Heavenly Fathers hands. I'm grateful for life experiences. I'm grateful that I have a family to experience the new things that are to come. I'm grateful that I have a Savoir that loves me and will never leave me.

Please pray for the Smith family.

Denise

Adjusting with a college student!

Well.....Cassie is off to college!
What a fun time it was! We took her last Thursday - it's almost been a week! Her room mate Kayla was there when we arrived - her parents helping her find the best floor plan for their dorm room - we ended up bunking the beds back the way they were to begin with! ;0) I didn't help her unpack everything, but she did want me to make her bed and we put up her mirror and some of her things like the mirror, a painting, and Rob helped her with her printer. It was a fun day. Busy day. Good day! Praise God! You know, I thought about this day for a long time...I knew it was coming - sooner than I hoped, but I knew it would come. Cassie is so ready to spread her wings and fly. It's so good to NOT hear from her! that may sound weird - I mean, yeah, I'd love to hear from her, but you know, at least she is not calling us every other night crying and miserable and wanting to come home! Praises! I think she likes it there, and she did say in an email that she and her room mate were hitting it off! How can I not be happy!!!! Things at home are a little weird. I mean, her room is empty w/o her there - course, it's like a MESS - the way she left it - and it will be that way when she returns! She needs to feel at HOME! ha! I know when she comes home this weekend we won't see her much - but we hope she reserves Sunday for family time. At least a time to eat together. All in all, move in day, was fun. We had a quiet ride back home afterward! ;0) But we are beginning to get busy with Morgan and her school year - TENNIS season is here and so we will be busy going to her matches! She is pretty good!! Her games are usually on Mondays and Thursdays and she does have a couple of weekend tournaments coming up - if you want to know the schedule, then just email me at denisesandberg@sbcglobal.net. I'd be happy to share that with you and I know she'd love to see you at her games! Morgan is adjusting too - course we all are - Cassie had been gone most the summer, so we were getting pretty use to her being gone - I think what is the weirdest thing, we don't know where she is or who she is with....that's the change. She isn't calling us to ask us if she can do, or go, or hang with....she is just doing, going and seeing whomever! ;0) And that's part of her growing up! I'm getting use to it. AND NO, I HAVE NOT CALLED HER and will not call her. I have not emailed her nor texted her - oh excuse me, I did text her asking when her next ortho appt was...but that's it. I knew that would be the next time she came home so I needed to make sure we were home and not planning a trip to see my folks. anywho...all in all...our Sunshine is growing up, and this time in her life is full of adventure and excitement - and so we are happy for her! ;0)
Pray for her while she is adjusting to college life - she seems to be adjusting well. Pray also that she remains focused on her relationship with Christ - this is the time of life where Satan would like to distract her and pull her away - and so many times it happens - pray for her to stand firm in her faith and to really just open herself up to new friends.

Here it is August 19th. Only 2 more days till we help Cassie off to College! She is one of those kids that waits till the last minute to pack! It drives me up the wall, but hey, it's her deal! Is her laundry all washed up and ready to go? NO! You may think I'm terrible for not washing her clothes for her and having all her things nice and tidy, but nope, I'm sorry, I am not going to do it. I love my sweet girl, and will do anything for her on any given day - yep, she's spoiled and I think she knows it, but this time....nope, mom is not helping. This is a huge step for her - and we are so excited. So much will change once she is in college - for her and for us. She will have to do so much on her own - and I think she is ready - and she KNOWS she is ready. ;0) Is dad, mom and Morgan ready? We'll see. Life goes on, one day at a time, as God allows, and we are holding on tight for the ride of our life! Cass is actually gone at the moment - she and Katie M decided to go on a road trip - yep a road trip! She went down to see my folks. Had dinner with her uncle David and Aunt Kimberly and her little cousin Cutter last night - so it was good she got to see all of them before she leaves for school. I think they are planning on coming home tonight - late of course. Tomorrow, she will be one busy young lady - unless she packs up dirty clothes! ;0) ha! and she might knowing Cass! (gotta love the girl!)

Morgan started school yesterday - big SOPHOMORE! She is playing tennis this year - her 2nd year. She has been going to practice and they start playing next week! She is a bit nervous about school...she hasn't come out and said it, but I feel it when she talks - but I know she will be fine. I think it's because big sis isn't there......well....it just makes sense. She is also talking about trying out for the school play - I can truly see her involved in the drama club and enjoying it! She has shown interest in that for some time - so I hope she goes for it! You never know until you try!!!!

We had a great time away last week on our mini vacation to Branson. We always have a good time. We weren't interupted with any text messages cause we kept our phones off! course, Cass kept in contact in the evenings when we were watching the Olympics - with her lap top! She has to stay connected! ;0) But all in all, it was a good trip. The girls got to experience the Segways! It was a hoot to watch! Cassie can barely ride a bike, poor girl! And to see her nervous and relying on a 2-wheel machine to hold her up was a bit fun to watch! She had to TRUST it would work! Morgan seemed to get on without any problems - they were both a bit stiff at first, but by the time it was time to get off, they were more comfortable....IF you have never experienced the segways, it is worth the money - course I can say that cause I didn't get on one - nor did Rob - we kept our feet planted to the ground! ;0) We also got to see Bill & Kathleen Wright - they were there on a vacation too! We saw the show Noah the same night as them, then we all went to Moon River (Andy Williams place) to eat - it was a very nice place to eat - you don't feel like you are in Branson when you are in there! It's always nice visiting with them! The show Noah - I would highly recommend - it's worth the money! Everyone should see it! (can't say that about all the shows in Branson!) But the vacation was short - Morgan had to get back for Tennis practice - she missed 3 while we were gone - so she has to make them up before she can play a match. We also visited First Baptist in Branson while we were there. It was a very good service. The pastor there is fairly young (30's - that's fairly young!) and he was a dramatic speaker - so he kept our attention. He spoke of marriage. It was a great sermon and one we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

God is so good. I think back on the years when the girls were little. I miss those times. Those arms wrapped around my legs saying "Mommy, UP"! or the words, "mommy, I love you so much" - or all the sticky hugs and kisses. The finger print smugges on the windows and glass doors. The giggles that just kept coming and all the belly laughs! The blows and kisses on their little tummys to watch them laugh, and all the fun things you do to see them make faces like put lemon up to their mouth! Oh come on, you can't tell me you never done that! I'm so thankful for the health we have. I'm so thankful for my girls hearts to serve God. I'm so thankful that they are growing in the Lord. I'm so thankful that they are well grounded and their foundation seems to be on solid ground. I'm so thankful that they have drive in them and determination to stand and be bold when times call for it! I'm so thankful that they are strong individuals and yet they are so different from each other. I'm so thankful that they have experienced some difficulties with loosing a precious sister, even though that sounds so wrong, it has made them who they are today. Those life difficulties and hardships we are to be grateful for - the Bible says we are to be thankful for all things even strife! I'm thankful that
they both have people in their lives that love them and will always be there for them! I'm just thankful for God allowing me to be their mom! It's the most precious gift HE has given me.

Be thankful!
Denise & family

New blog for the Sandbergs!

This is a new blog for the Sandberg family! I thought with our lives changing so fast these days and it seems we are so busy with life and don't get to spend much time with family at times it might be neat to have a place where you can go and see what we are up to, if you are interested!


This past summer has flown by! The girls have been keeping busy as well as Rob and I. First it started off with kid's camp at God's Mountain and then Jr. High camp and Cassie was gone for a couple of weeks to help out there. Morgan then went to Florida with her high school band for a fun experience to be in the parade there at Disney. I got to fly out and enjoy a couple of days with her - we had a great time. Cassie then got to be a part of a cultural exchange in China. She was gone for 14 days. She got to experience life there and came back with some interesting stories. She also lived on peanut butter and oreos and luke warm coca cola most the entire trip! She told of the smells there in the city - of the fish laying on the sidewalks drying out - can you just imagine the smell? Also of squid being cooked out on the grill for people to eat in the market area - and told of squid dumplings that must have been very popular there. She was one of 4 youth that got to go on this trip with our church. She is still trying to figure out why God called her to go, but I'm thankful she was faithful and went, and in time, she will understand. I'm so thankful for her standing so firm in her faith at her age. As a mom, I have prayed for my girls and their Spiritual walk, and to see the blessings and see those prayers being answered, that's where they blessings come in!


Cassie has also been busy this summer with her friends. Trying to spend as much time as she can with them before leaving in a few days for college. She has got reconnected with one of her friends from her earlier years - Katie Mangels. They have enjoyed time together and going to the drive in and just hanging out. It's been fun to see them reconnect and begin their friendship again. We also enjoyed a fun dinner out one night with Katie's folks & little brother! I hope we can stay in touch with them. Cassie is blessed to have so many friends!


Morgan is recovering from having her wisdom teeth cut out - ALL 4! She is doing pretty good. This past week my mom came up and also brought my neice Megan. We have had a great time with them here! The girls have painted, and laughed, and made chocolate cake! Yesterday we spent the afternoon/evening at World's of Fun! Was it ever fun! G-ma Hicks even enjoyed the evening. We rode several rides and took a lot of photos! I'll post some photos here shortly for you to see! Morgan also got to spend a day with her childhood friend Tori. Tori and her family moved after 5th grade to Shawnee, KS. They are getting ready to move again - to OREGON! They are coming over this evening for a cookout. Tori and her family are very dear to us - we love them so much! Since they've moved its been tough staying in touch - sad to say! I just hope we can keep in contact with this move! I know I'd love to go out to visit them once they are all settled!


Morgan also has been busy with Drum Major Camp in Manhattan, KS at K-State - she also has been in band camp at her high school, and also tennis camp. She will be a sophomore this year. She is also secretary of her class. Morgan is also the owner of a new PUPPY! Her name is Daisy. With her big sis going off to college soon I thought it might help her to have a little companion around! Daisy has been a blessing! She is such a happy puppy! She will be 4 months old soon and just as cute as a button! She is always happy to see us -even when we have to leave the room and come back where she is - it's like we have been gone all day long! Cassie loves her too - and it's fun watching them play with Daisy.


Rob has been busy with work and our duplexs this summer. We have had to remodel a couple of the duplexs! He has also traveled a lot! His most recent trip was in Birmingham, Alabama. He keeps busy! I have been busy with Soul Sisters at our church and also on some finishing jobs around the house. This past year Rob's dad has helped me so much in our remodel! He is so awesome to come and help whenever I need him! He also does GREAT work! After all his hard work we got our hardwood floors redone - they look incredible! and then I painted and we got new windows! Things are finally looking good! We also got new furniture! We are a very simple living family so we like to keep things at home that way! It also makes keeping the house clean so much easier! (not a lot of stuff to dust!) I still have some little jobs to finish - hopefully I'll get some of that done during vacation. Soul Sisters is getting ready to kick off their 4th year! It's such a fun group of girls & ladies! God has truly blessed me with getting to know each of them! I know God has such incredible things planned in the lives of all these girls and also the ladies at Maywood! I'm so blessed to be working alongside of them!


We are going to Branson for a few days next week. I'm looking forward to just getting a way with the family. Spending time in the car singing on the way! We always have a good time together and do a lot of laughing. With Rob and Cassie around, it's hard not to have a good time! I can't believe we have a daughter going off to college. (sorry - that thought just popped into mind!) It's sad, but it's exciting too! To see our little baby girl that only seems like yesterday we were cradeling in our arms, grow into such a lovely young woman and to see her excited about this next phase in her life- what a blessing she has brought into our lives. Morgan will miss her, as we will. Anyway, back to vacation - it's only for a few days cause school starts for Morgan and then we take Cass off to her school. So, we are going to make the most of this time we have together!


Well...that's what's been going on in our lives lately! God bless you all!


The Sandbergs!