Grace and Her biological sister Magnalie--09

In October of 2009 and then again in December we had some visits with Grace's sister Magnalie. She lives in S. Grafton, Mass. with a wonderful family that adopted her 5 years ago named the Kangas family. We love that they are so close to us, and try and get the sisters together as much as we can. Here are some photos of the October visit. Madelyn, Grace and I went down for this visit. We had a wonderful time! Magnalie took about an hour and did a wonderful set of braids in Grace's hair. Mag is a Jr. at a technical high school where she is actually being a cosmotologist 3 days a week at the schools' hair salon!

Last month we went down for an overnight as a family to Newport, Rhode Island and visited with the Kangas family at a time share they were staying at. That was super fun! Here are some shots from there! It was right on the ocean and we had a good time in the heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs! We also toured around Newport and were in awe of all of the mansions! This visit, Magnalie put a relaxer in Grace's hair and that turned out really well! We all enjoyed amazing fellowship and a special time of bible reading and devotions, too! Thank you Kangas Family!

Off to the State House We Go!

Today was a spontaneous field trip day. We learned two days ago that some opponents of homeschooling in NH under the current law were trying to get House Bill 368 which has been recommended to be ITL (inexpedient to legislate) last Fall, overturned, and not ITL anymore.

The bill had been on the consent calendar for today, their first day back in session for the new year. That meant that it would be voted with a big bunch of ITL bills all at once and be not an issue. Well...some folks decided that they wanted to get it on the regular calendar for individual voting because it was a 14-6 vote and not unanimous. And...they were able to do just that. So...there was a call put out to homeschoolers to go and meet and greet legislators on their way in to the hall by holding signs outside the state house. We decided to take up the call and go!

I announced at breakfast this morning that we were doing a service project today. The kids were VERY excited! We set about making signs and headed on our way to Concord to brave the cold and wind.

Brrrrrr......the kids were troopers as we braved the cold!

This was a wonderful experience for the kids. We had attended the hearing last year where over 1,200 homeschool families attended. That was incredible! You could have heard a pin drop. We were able to meet a wonderful homeschool friendly representative from Carroll County district 5 named Dino Scala. He spent a long time talking with us all outside and even came back out to tell us that the bill had been separated out and would be taken up by itself. Thank you Dino! You were an answer to our prayers!

The kids with Rep. Dino Scala. Thank you soooo much!

So...at 10:00 we got a reprieve from the cold and went into the hall to hear some of the session. The kids thought it was really interesting! To see the voting and see the votes light up in green for yes votes and red for no votes. At one point Maddie and Grace said..."Mom...why can't everyone just agree and get along?"...Hmmm...good question girls!

So...they didn't get to our bill today. It will be voted on next Wednesday, January 13th. We hope to try and go again and see how it all turns out! Please pray for it to remain ITL! We'll keep you posted! Being able to go to these is another wonderful benefit of homeschooling! We love to be hands on!

It was another full house today!

Praising God for the Newest Member to our Home Church Family!!

Hello Everyone! I would like to tell you all that I have a new baby brother! Ya!!!!! His Name Is Nathan Wayne Collomy he is 10lb 5oz 21.3in long he was born today at 12:51 this afternoon. Keep them in your prayers, mom is doing well but the baby is in the NICU due to low sugar. Also pray for me and jo we have a big job with the lil ones. Thanks much love you all, Taylor and the gang

Happy 20th Birthday Brittany!!

What were you doing 20 years ago today?? Me...I was in labor with our precious daughter Brittany. We would finally meet her after 36 hours of intense labor at 3:39 in the afternoon, 20 years ago, today!

George Bush Sr. was our President.
Judd Gregg was NH's governor.
Dances with Wolves was the #1 movie.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev won the Noble peace prize.
Glenn and Mary Winslow started their family with their 9lb beautiful daughter, Brittany!

We love you Bip!!

Oh My...Has It Really Been OVER one year?????

Wow..I can hardly believe that it's been over one year since I last posted to my blog! Oh my goodness. What a year 2009 has been. It's been one of the hardest, if not the hardest years for us as a family, but God has remained faithful throughout it and we are so thankful for that! We trust in Him fully and we know that He who has begun a good work in us will follow it through until completion. For this we remain greatly encouraged! We know that He has a plan for us, and we are already seeing parts of it in this new year!

Happy 2010!!!!

Here are some photos from 2009 in no particular order:

We enjoyed a wonderful day at Wells beach in Maine with some of our dear friends from church. Oh how we love them!

Where are those crabs Grace?

We went camping in Vermont this past September at Winhall Brook Campground in Londonderry, VT. It is a core of engineer's campground and it's just beautiful! Here are some scenes from a man made water slide on the river! Good clean fun!

Here Glenn is multi tasking on the way to the brook! There were wonderful bike and hiking trails there. The campsites were flat and each had lush green grass! Sooooo nice!

We started the 1st annual Winslow Fishing Derby at our favorite fishing spot in VT...Gale Meadows Pond. The derby was held over 2 days!

During the first day of the derby, Grace caught her first ever fish! Go Grace! On day one we fished with live bait. On day two, Glenn was crowned the fishing derby champion. He switched to his favorite lure and caught two very good sized bass. They made a tasty addition to our camp supper that night! Hooray Glenn!

Maddie and Grace found a dead tree in the middle of the pond to swim out to and pose on! Nice girls!

We spent a few days at my brother's house in Springfield, VT. This is the gang of kiddos there! Maddie, Kasi, Grace, Maxwell, Katie, Maggie and Jon, and our dog Levi. We had a fun time there!

On 9/9/09 --Jonnie learned to ride his two wheeler without training wheels while we were camping! Go Jon, go! There was no stopping him. He kept asking us..."Are you sure I'm going to be able to remember how to do this forever?"

September 10th, 2009, while camping, Glenn and I and the kiddos celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary with a day trip to Bennington, VT. It was beautiful there. The kids loved the moose on display. Each one was painted with a theme and designed by area businesses.

Here we spotted an evangelistic Mennonite group singing. That was awesome! This is where a new friendship would begin! That is a whole other blog entry, however!

Here we are at the Ball Dam in Vt. What a beautiful view from the top!

We had a wonderful time camping in Vermont! Thank you Glenn for taking us!

A Dream Come True for Maddie and Grace---Their 1st Annual Formal Tea Party!

Maddie and Grace and two of their close friends decided they wanted to have a formal Christmas tea party. So...they got together and had many meetings to plan it. They each agreed to bring special food and formal china, and agreed on a location for the tea party, too! So...where does one go for an outfit for such an event?? Well...to Sally's boutique of course! a.k.a. Salvation Army Thrift Store! On half price day...which is Wednesdays! So....both Grace and Maddie found their dress there in the bridal section! 4.00 each! Such a bargain...so...with some creativity and hemming, they were all set! Enjoy these photos of the event!

On the menu:

chicken salad sandwiches

egg salad sandwiches

peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches

fruit salad

shirley temples

zucchinni bread

tea-- of course

sugar cookies

cupcakes

candycanes

They had a devotion and time of prayer, singing, games and crafts! They planned it all themselves and had a great time!

All of the girls in attendance! Such a wonderful and blessed day!

The Mom's got a chance to have our own potluck lunch...very informal and have a time of fellowship during the tea party! That was precious, too!

Merry Christmas and Winter Time Fun!

We just love the Christmas season. We love to keep the focus on Jesus and God's gift to us in this world! We love the white snow reminding us of how clean Jesus' blood washes our sins away...as white as snow! We love that reminder! We also love to exchange gifts as a reminder of this gift of love! We are so thankful for the home God has given us. A home filled with love that keeps us warm and gives us shelter. This is our 8th year in this home!

The girls were so excited to get matching pj bottoms for Christmas!

We love to exchange gifts, too! It reminds us of God's gift to us!
Everyone was very excited at the gifts that others in the family got for them. Simple gifts, yet very meaningful!

After our breakfast and gift exchange we headed to "Winslow Mountain" in Deerfield for a celebration with Glenn's folks. Here is a couch filled with cousins! All of Grampa and Grammie's grandchildren on one couch! It was a nice reunion as Brittany hadn't been home for 4 months and hadn't seen anyone since well before she left for Michigan!

Ice Storm 2008

In December we had the worst ice storm in NH History with over 400,000 people without their power. We rested in the fact that God is still in control, even over the weather! We were super thankful for the use of a generator from Grampa Jon! We are now saving for our own as this was the 4th time in one year that we needed a generator! Yikes!

Here are a few shots!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I am so thankful for all the Lord has provided to us....His son for our salvation and the Life that He lives in and through us as believers! I am thankful for the awesome husband God has given me. It is my joy to be his helpmeet! I am super thankful for my 4 children...Brittany, Madelyn, Grace and Jonathan. I'm thankful for my family near and far, and for all of my dear, dear, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and all of my friends! Here we are at Niagara Falls as a family. This was a stop we made on the way to take Brittany to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson Michigan. This is our first Thanksgiving without Brittany! Sigh...that is a bitter sweet thing for sure. She's enjoying Thanksgiving today at a room mates home in St. Louis, Missouri. An 8-9 hour drive from Michigan! In this photo we also have Mao...our Japanese exchange student who spent a month with us. I hope to be more faithful in blogging and keeping folks up to date this way. We also have a facebook, too, and the Winslow family website...so...lots to update!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember..Thanksgiving produces joy....let's be joyful!