Got SNOW!?!

Here we stand on one of the sidewalks in Cook. Not all of the sidewalks have snow this high and yet this is also NOT the highest one either. Can you see the Subway right behind us? We are standing less than 20ft from the front door.

WE ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!

I LOVE the way that sounds!It wasn't easy though we knew it wouldn't be. I admit to a bit of anxiety in the house as we watched however the jumping, shouting and celebrating during many different moments overshadowed any tension there was.
Two of my all time favorite people (my "sister" and "nephew") Holly and Jackson. How proud I am of this special boy. His "Go PACK Go!" cheer has to be the best around.

LoVe lOvE LOVE being a Packer and a Super Bowl Champion.
Our "Super Bowl Ring"! Dad had three of these necklaces made for Mom, Amy and I yesterday. How Great is He!?!

Congrats to all you Packer fans out there!!!

One of My FAVORITE Places

With the snow falling yet again I cannot tell you how often I think of the beach at River No. 2. (Though I do love Winter- really I do.) With people who have become great friends to take care of us, beautiful (almost empty) WHITE sand beaches, fresh barracuda for lunch, breath taking scenery- you can understand why THIS is one of my favorite places.

Leaving Salone

This post is a LONG time coming and yet still a little difficult to write.

The day I would leave was a day we talked about for months before it happened. The staff, my friends, our church and especially my kids. In some ways I am sure it was good as we were able to talk about what it would look like. I was able to convey the love I have for each of them and how that would not change. We talked about all that has happened over the past few years- just how far we have all come because of each other.

This may have helped in the long run but it did not stop the emotions of the final few days. We were able to have a great party together at JCC. The kids and staff were so sweet. Groups of them sang songs, acted out short plays, and had such kind words to say. When it was my turn to talk I admit to getting a bit choked up. I know this may not surprise to many of you (and shouldn't) yet it is not often that I have cried in front of any of these people. It was hard to get out what I wanted to say but I was finally able to. We all prayed together and ended the party in a way we usually do- with music, dancing and lots of laughter. A few of the younger kids in their JCC ashabei (matching clothes for a specific group or occasion)

Yes I knew I would be leaving soon, yes I had planned to pack over the last month and not all at once, however it was FATTY (pronounced with a short o sound) who got it done. This girl is amazing. She is who I want to be when I grow up. Fatty struggles in school and at times that is all she sees and has a low image of herself- what I see... A wise young woman who is compassionate, the best house mom (even if it is not her job) we have, a great cook, teacher, sister, and friend. She has written me the letters that have touched my heart the most. Her faith and relationship with God is STRONG. She knows the bible and finds verses that touch you in the moment you are in and has such a gentle way of showing them to you. There is so much I could say about Fatty- most of all I cherish her and love her dearly.

So back to the packing. Fatty and I often spend time together. In the months before I left she had just taken a large school exam and was off from school. This gave us a lot of time while the other kids were studying or sleeping. In the week before leaving she became my mom. We would plan to pack all day and then a friend would invite me somewhere or the kids would want to play or.... and I would put it off. Fatty would come in the evenings and say "Mommy Christie you have to pack now". It was hard to figure out what to leave and what to take- well just ask Fatty. We would run the generator and stay up late into the nights talking and laughing. She was strong for me when people would come to say goodbye and tears for them would follow. She brought me comfort and peace through it all. The last night she slept with me after we finished zipping the last suitcase. The next morning she was gone. I literally could not find her anywhere on the compound.

Staff devotions that morning found more tears for the staff (I have to admit that I had not cried since the party- well maybe at night alone but :) and for some reason did not this morning either) It meant a great deal to me to have this moment of singing and prayer one last time with my JCC family. I had not wanted to make a big scene with the kids. I knew that once one of them started crying they all would and it would be hard for the moms and aunties to calm them down once I left. So we had said goodbye at prayer time the night before (yes there were still tears in bed but with them being so tired they soon fell fast asleep). School devotions were about to start as I walked over and was able to address the school children and say goodbye to them. A few my kids had to grab one last hug and a few tears were shed but I felt good about how we were able leave each other.

With the jeep loaded and JK and Joe ready to go it was time for my final good byes. I had to find Fatty. I took one last walk around the compound and finally found her at the front clothes line hanging up clothes. As she saw me coming she ran into her room away from me. I followed her in there and found her just sobbing. Well the tears that I had done so well holding in came flooding out. I just held onto Fatty assuring her of how much I loved her and what a blessing she is to so many. I assured her that her place in my life will never changed no matter the distance. Auntie Mary came in shortly after and I was able to leave Fatty with her. This one was tough.

As we got into the jeep all of the staff on the compound came around and we had one last prayer for safety- it was so hard to get my emotions under control and knowing me you know I just wanted to get out of the gate. However it was a special moment and driving out with the group of staff walking slowly behind us, one last time of Pa Ben opening the gate and smiling and waving as we drove out is a memory that makes me smile.

One other special night I wanted to share was a party with our church family and my friends from all over town. They were all so kind to put together a going away party for me. We were able to invite so many people who have impacted my stay in Sierra Leone including my mechanics, market friends, and fuel station guys. This was a night that everyone deserves to have. People from different areas of my life there got up to say the kindest things (yes I was blushing and uncomfortable). Music groups performed songs, wonderful food and drinks were shared, and of course once again the night ended with music and dancing. I felt so uplifted and loved.

The next day I visited my mechanic friend Jaward (well first you have to understand that Jaward and Kai have taken such great care of me. They truly are my AAA in Salone. I call them when broken down and they come- they call me when I travel to make sure I made it to where I was going. Kai even had to help us late the night of the party as the clutch had slipped- he thought he was just coming to a party and here we call him while hauling things home LATE and he grabs a honda to come rescue us) So here I am getting the jeep checked one last time before traveling to Freetown and Jaward is asking me questions about the Christian music groups from the night before. Jaward is a Muslim. He knows I am a Christian. We have not talked much about our faiths. He sees who I am and accepts me and I do him as well. I care about him. I knew when inviting him that these groups would be there (they are great friends to me) but I had no clue how much they would impact him. That night I say him dancing and smiling, even going up to a couple of the guys. This day he asked me about their lyrics and told me how great they were. I was able to get him one of their cds. This was blessing to me. Jaward is someone who I do care about. Someone who I have been friends with for a year and a half. The door for us to talk about our faiths had not opened before this time and that was fine. When it did open it was natural and we were both ready.

Being so emotional about leaving and wondering at times about my place and impact- these last few days did a lot for my heart in reaffirming what I am doing in Sierra Leone.

These two guys are two of my best friends. Not just in Salone but in my life. They brought me to Freetown and treated me to one last special night in Salone and brought me the following day to the airport along with another of my great friends Pastor Ibrahim. I am not one for tears at the airport however I often find myself crying on both sides. Leaving is always so hard no matter where it is, that is truly the worst part of traveling for me. I have to get through this moment and then look forward to the wonderful welcome on the other side. This time the emotions were a little stronger as I did not know when or if I would be returning. These people who mean so much to me- how long was this good bye for- what was I going to do without them everyday? It was hard to get control of myself but when I did I was able to look at how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family in two places. It is a blessing and a curse I guess but this last week hearing just how much I am cared for and how much I love these people and at the same time looking forward to seeing my family and friends at home I have missed so much- it was more on the blessing side.

Less than 24 hours later I was able to have that wonderful welcome moment as Mom, Dad, Kari, and Amy were there with arms wide waiting for hugs. We headed to the Olive Garden to meet Mike, Lor, Sophie, and Isabelle. We laughed and talked over each other before driving North. As hard as it was to say good bye- it also felt really good to be home.

Friday morning found me driving to Duluth to pick up my two favorite nieces for a fun filled weekend up North (and a hopefully relaxing weekend in Duluth for Nick, Jamie and Asa)

Of course I had to sneak in some cuddle time with Asa before we left. He was fresh home from a visit to Alina's school where she was able to show him off. It was fun for us to reminisce about Nick taking Amy to show and tell over 24 years ago.

We tried to leave shortly after 4 only to find the roads were not great for traveling. Those of you who know us Shermer's know that not much will stop us however having precious cargo and information from Dad that the visibility further North was less than 2 car lengths found our car making a U-turn. An evening spent with the entire Nick Shermer family was not a bad night for me.

Shortly after breakfast Saturday morning we tried again. Snow was still coming down but we were able to make it just fine to Grandma Karen and Grandpa Mark's house. The girls couldn't have been more thrilled.

Auntie Amy and I headed out with Koryn, Alina and our friends Alaina and Lucy for a little Winter fun. At first the thought of going sledding at Grandma Shirley's sounded like a great time for everyone- after trying to plow through snow above our wastes up hill it seemed only the little ones were having all the fun. The laughter soon returned when I tried to push Amy down the hill on the sled to pack down the run and ended up laying face down in the snow. This wasn't so bad- trying to get up... was terrible. My feet were above my head and as I tried to put my hands down they couldn't reach solid ground. I couldn't get my feet underneath me and I really just could not get up. Amy was so helpful- she laughed and made me roll over to get the camera out of my pocket and take a few pictures before helping me up. After that workout I am not sure we needed any hot chocolate to warm us up but we sure had earned it.

On Friday I had found some train letters, an engine and caboose, along with a few paint colors at Michaels. I thought this would be a fun craft and gift for the girls to give to Asa.

Fun it was. I have to say it turned out great and even more fun was to be had afterwards while doing hand prints with Koryn. The first bit of paint on her hands was accompanied by some pretty large eyes and a question on her face. When I started painting her hands and then just dipping them into the paint and then onto the paper her giggles filled the room. I did not anticipate her insistence that Auntie Christie and Auntie Amy make hand prints as well but hey- hands squishing around in paint is not so bad- especially when it brings a sweet little girl such joy.

Sunday we were treated to a trip made by Mom, Dad and Asa to come get the girls and hang out for the afternoon before leaving. Yes pass the baby around was the next game we played. He is so tiny. I know we always say that- but with Koryn and Alina getting so big you really do forget just how small they are. I loved that he was awake for a bit longer this time.

My time with these three little (getting big) ones is something I treasure. They make me laugh and smile so hard that my stomach and face hurt. Yes this is my second post including these three- and you can bet it will not be the last. I am and forever will be proud Auntie Christie.

Love you Alina, Koryn, and Baby Asa

We ARE IN the Super Bowl

This Post title is not a question and hasn't been in Amy's or my mind all year. Yes of course as die hard fans we think we can win it all every year but this year has been different from the start in our minds- I mean have you seen the banner covering the front of Amy's garage?

I know, I know- I can hear some of you already commenting on the "we" part. Yes we feel a part of the Packers AND I do own stock in the Packers- so it is WE.




Many of you have seen plenty of pictures of Amy and I in our Packer's gear so for a change I will show you a picture of the pumpkins we carved for Halloween this year. I admit when we started I thought it was all going to be just a great idea in our minds and not so much on the pumpkins, however if I might say so- I think they turned out pretty great.

Go Pack Go

WHAT- I Have A BLOG?!?!?!

Alright- no excuses. All I am going to say is that I am back now. This is for real. I will be putting posts on here regularly- at least for the foreseeable future. So.... if any of you are still out there reading this blog- thank you and these next ones are for you.

Now what better way to come back than to be able to announce the birth of my sweet nephew-

ASA NICHOLAS SHERMEROur precious boy was born Tuesday afternoon, January 25th 2011.

6lbs 8oz and 18.4 inches Jamie had to work hard for this little boy to make his entrance into the world but she did great and looked wonderful when we got there to see them . Grandma Shirley, Grandma Syvilla, Amy, Mom, Dad and I were all able to travel to Duluth and meet Asa just hours after he was born. Having both Great Grandmothers at the hospital was a real treat and not just for Asa. These two ladies make me laugh more than most people I know.

I could not believe how good Asa looked. Such pink skin and beautiful features. Being here for this moment was special. I missed Koryn's birth so this was my first trip to the hospital as an aunt. I cannot tell you how much I treasure this role.

Proud Grandparents.

We all look forward to loving on this little one and watching him grow just as we do his proud big sisters. They are both going to be great with him. First however we get to spend some time with them. Tomorrow I head to Duluth to pick up Alina and Koryn for the weekend. What a Win-Win situation for us all. A little more rest (hopefully) for mom and dad and fun with the girls for the rest of us.

Having little ones in our lives is such a blessing. We see things in new ways everyday because of them. Alina is becoming such a fun person. She is interesting to have conversations with, to play big kid games with, and to see just how tall and beautiful she is becoming. Koryn is a little spitfire. I cannot believe the things that come out of her mouth. Of course we all think she is a genious and SOOO FUNNY. Seeing how much she is developing her own personality each day is giving us such cherished memories and laughs. Asa is someone we have waited for- well for just as long as any other pregnancy. Knowing his name, watching Jamie's belly grow, feeling him moving inside- seems as though we've known Asa for awhile now and to be able to hold him, cuddle with him, and smell his sweet new baby smell is yet another blessing. Children have always been cherished and treasured in our extended family on both sides. Now having our Shermer family growing is wonderful.

Thanks Nick and Jamie for giving us such special nieces and nephew.