Santa Claus is real. And this is his true story.
Born nearly 2000 years ago, not too long after the days that Jesus Christ
walked the earth, Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in a tiny village in the
country we today call Turkey.
Though Nicholas was a child of privilege, he was raised a Christian and at a
very young age was devoted to the faith.
Nicholas' parents died while he was yet a boy. And not knowing what to do
with himself or the fortune he inherited, he turned to his Bible and read the
words of admonishment that Christ gave to a wealthy man: "Sell all thou hath and
give it to the poor and follow me".
Nicholas went to his village priest, confessed his sins and expressed the
desires of his heart. He wished to become a priest.
Because he was an orphan, the priest took him in. And soon he found that
Nicholas was no ordinary boy. Legend tells the story of a young Nicholas
visiting the Holy Land with his village priest. On the return voyage, over
stormy waters, their ship was cast about and all aboard feared for their lives.
Nicholas steadfastly prayed for the safety of the passengers and crew. His faith
astonished those with him as the storm passed and the waters calmed.
The village priest was fond of Nicholas. But he knew Nicholas lacked the
education and the credentials necessary to become a priest. He would need a
miracle if it was to happen. And a miracle is just what he got.
In the not too distant city of Myra, the Bishop of the church passed away. As
the authorities of the church assembled to consider his replacement, Nicholas
was there. The man considered wisest amongst the authorities had a dream and was
visited by a heavenly messenger. He inquired of the angel "Who should the new
Bishop be?". The angel said that if the gathered authorities would just wait by
the door of the church they should select the first person named Nicholas to
walk through the doors. The church authorities had their answer, and Nicholas
had his miracle and was named the youngest bishop of the church ever on record.
As a young Bishop, Nicholas was fearless in his defense of the faith. He
became known as an outspoken caretaker of the people of his flock and as one
very close to God, due to his faith. When the citizens of Myra came to him to
complain of a difficult tax burden, he approached the Emperor for relief.
Constantine, who was not Christian and who had previously cast Nicholas into
prison for his vigorous public defense of Christianity, wrote a decree lowering
the tax due to Bishop Nicholas' pleas on behalf of the people.
Bishop Nicholas took the written decree and cast it upon the waters towards
the city of Myra. Sometime later, the finance ministers from Rome met with
Constantine to change his mind about the tax. Constantine called Nicholas before
him and asked for the written decree back. When Nicholas declared that he had
cast the decree upon the water and that the change to the law had already taken
affect, Constantine did not believe him. He sent a runner to Myra who returned a
few days later to confirm that all Nicholas had said was true.
Nicholas was beloved of the people of Myra for his kindness especially to
children. One such deed became a legend that has survived for centuries and is
celebrated even now in a variety of cultures. In his town where he was Bishop,
Nicholas once gave an anonymous gift to a man with three daughters. The family
was destitute of means. The custom of the time was that each daughter would need
to be provided with a dowry in order to marry. Because they were poor, the
father of the three daughters was contemplating selling his children into
slavery.
Nicholas heard of their plight and on a dark night soon after the eldest
daughter came to marrying age, he tossed a small bag of gold through an open
window (and some say he tossed it down the chimney), sparing her a life of
misery.
As the second daughter came of age he repeated the deed, again doing so
anonymously.
As the third daughter came of age the father waited up nights to catch the
gift-giver in order to express his gratitude. His persistence paid off as he
caught Bishop Nicholas in the act.
This story is recounted in many lands, although some of the details change
from one telling to another. Some say it was not bags of gold but rather balls
of gold that Nicholas left. Some say he tossed them into the chimney where they
landed in the hanging stockings or the drying shoes of the unmarried girls. That
is why some, to remember this event,celebrate Christmas was an orange in the toe
of a stocking.
Nicholas was known for many such deeds. Miracles were attributed to the
Bishop of Myra because of his great faith.
Some were individual stories, like the man with three daughters. Others were
stories of Bishop Nicholas acting on behalf of all the people. One very famous
story had to do with a terrible season of famine in Myra. The drought was so bad
the people there were starting to go hungry.
Bishop Nicholas approached the captains of the ships ported in Myra, for he
knew the ships contained grain destined for faraway places. But the captains
were reluctant to help. They were paid for full cargos and they explained to
Bishop Nicholas that they had to deliver them as they received them. Nicholas
promised them that if they would share but a small part from each ship, the
credit they required for full delivery would be granted them. They agreed, and
Nicholas took the food to the people and fed them for two years with it, even
having enough left over to plant for seed when the famine passed.
But when the ships took to sea and arrived at their destinations, the
captains of the ships found their holds full upon arrival and declared the event
a miracle. This caused the reputation of Nicholas to spread. He became, over
time, the patron saint of children, of sailors, of the unmarried, and of
innocents wrongly accused or persecuted.
So famous did Nicholas become that no other name in the church, save Jesus
and the Virgin Mary only, was so widely known or respected. More than 2000
churches in the Old World bore the name of Saint Nicholas. And his legend only
grew as the centuries passed.
This is just the beginning of the story of Santa Claus. The genesis of the
man we anticipate each Christmas came from the good Bishop of Myra -- a man in
red robes, a man with a long beard, and a man known for anonymous giving --
especially to children.

'Tis The Season

‘Tis the
Season
My gift will keep
giving,through winter white storms,one that will grow deeper,with
drops of spring rain,withstanding the heat,on hot summer days,and
ripen with color,on cool autumn eves,this love that I gift you,will
only season, with time

by Christine Alwin

Thanks Giving 2011

Halloween 2010

Studying.... It's My Life

This Bio class is kicking my Butt.. Study every day....and its actually sticking. Its amazing how much you can retain, I don't feels so overwhelmed anymore with the thought of studying. Lab classes are much easier for me, you can touch and see and feel the things your talking about. Lecture on the other hand is a tough one... Lots of words and slides, takes me a while to figure those out, as long as it sicks before a test.
Communication class is a hard one for me,,," public speaking??? I don't like that..." But I'm getting by got an A on our group presentation. No for individual.... Informative Speeches... I never really did like to inform...Now I got to look something up that I want to inform about,,, understand it myself and then tell a class about it... sheesh!!! to much...
I can see a bit into the future... 3 semesters, and I will be freaking out about taking the dental certification exam..Cant Wait!!!
That's all for now....Enough goofing off Back to Studying

Happy Birthday Robert

When I look back I can't believe that its been 13 years..where has our time gone?

You are growing into a fine young man that I am proud of.

Never Unsaid

© Valerie Capasso

I never want this to go unsaid,
So here in this poem, is for it to be said.
There are no words to express how much you mean to me,
A son like you, I thought could never be.
Because the day you were born, I just knew,
God sent me a blessing- and that was you.
For this I thank Him everyday,
You are the true definition of a son, in everyway.
It is because of you that my life has meaning,
Becoming a mom has shown me a new sense of being.
I want you to know that you were the purpose of my life,
Out of everything I did- it was you that I did right.
Always remember that I know how much you care,
I can tell by the relationship that we share.
For a son like you there could be no other,
And whether we are together or apart,
Please do not ever forget-
You will always have a piece of my heart

First day of school

caidence's 7th birthday party

Happy Birthday to me

So even though I worked today... had a great day... getting ready to have Caidences birthday party on the 30th, so that will be fun to have the kids come over and swim, have a tresaure hunt, and play pirate games... Sulesha's hubby is a migician and he's going to put on a magic show for the kids too... picture to be posted soon... Got a great bithday present from myself to myseld a B+ in my Medical Ter. class... boy glad that one is over!! More post to come shortly!!!

Happy Birthday To You

Another Year

I’m wishing you another year
Of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness,
And when your birthday’s done,


I hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to me,
More than you can know.


By Joanna Fuchs



I cant Believe that its been seven years... How time fly's... how fast you have grown... what a nice little lady you are.....I love you with all my heart..... my birthday wish for you is... to be happy healthy and safe!! Love Mom

Happy 7th Birthday!!!

Don't know if you noticed the three different outfits in about 2 hours, and she changed for swimming...

July 4th Weekend

Robert's 6th Grade Graduation

Robert Shearer
Mountain Shadows Elementary Graduate 2011

Were so proud of Robert
Congrats!! Now it counts

Wednesday was the sixth grade Teachers -VS- Students Volley Ball Game

Happy Mothers Day 2011

Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

April Pictures

Road trip to Ridgecrest for Easter weekend, Stayed at Prampa's new house... it was lots of fun...
decided to take the kids to Randsburg to check out the living ghost town....

Genny is 17 years old now... it was great to see her again, shes doing great and were very proud of her.

Uncle Steve.....

New Mamaw, Grandpa Kenny, and the kids

Kenny is doing so well after his accident almost two years ago... he came over to Stan's for dinner, got to hang out visit with everyone and see the kids. I am so happy he is recovering so well.. I was so surprised to see him walking down the road... he said when he first saw me, he thought i was me.. but then he saw Rob and new it was me...he was surprised he was a Grandpa.. Robert enjoyed seeing him...

Caidence and Grandpa Kenny.....All smiles.....

Stopped by the Greats house and visited for quite a while...Barbra made Caidence a bed baby for her room...Caidence really likes it a lot and said she would give it to her great grand kids...

While Caidence hunted Easter eggs.......

Robert slept.......

Handsome punk....

Pretty girl.....

Boys... Boys...Boys.....

Caidence and her new friend...

Mamaw came down to visit in early April got to go on a ride with Rob... had a great time visiting you Mamaw.... I know your the only one who reads this anyways!!! Love You and Miss You

Whats That??