Senior Show choir season

 

Premier Night-MWHS

Showchoir season kicked off with our annual premier night where all 3 groups perform their show at home  It’s where they figure out what works and what doesn’t work before hitting the first competition  it usually a super fun and exciting evening  

This particular year we faced some painful challenges  Papa had been in the hospital for over a week and just wasn’t getting better  This day, January 15th we said good-bye to Papa as Jesus welcomed Dean into heaven. Somehow Olivia had the strength to go on stage. Papa would have been so proud of his granddaughter. 

Such brave souls ❤️

Music Lives- MWHS

Just 4 days later Millard West hosted its annual competition, you know it, the Raabes were knee deep in volunteering. Chris spent Friday evening and all day Saturday in the frozen tundra of a parking lot. Seriously the temperature and wind chill was unbearable.

Over the next 2 months Olivia and her show choir family traveled to…

Lincoln East, Lincoln NE

Troy Buchanan, St Louis MO

Omaha South, Omaha, NE

Lewis Central, Council Bluffs IA

Mitchell, SD

That Show Choir Show- MWHS

Olivia cheered on the prep group Swing Cats, performed with the all girls group Uptown and was a backstage roadie for West In The Grove (WIG)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVE watching this girl on stage!!! She transforms into something or someone new when the music starts. She’s fabulous! 

After a very successful day on the road 

Olivia Peyton & Michelle

Olivia & Jersi 

Olivia & JNew, director

Abby Kirlin, Morgan Reid & Liv 

It’s not about the trophies but here are the insane amount of trophies the 3 groups won this season 

Dad, Aunt Holly, Shirley H, Liv, Oma, Nana, Mom

She’s still smiling even after the parent dance and final performances 

So proud of our senior and so happy to celebrate her 

St Patty’s Day

Willow Melodie

4.5 mos old 

No cuter St Patty’s Baby!!!

The week before March 17th got a little chaotic. I had plans to make a cute little outfit for Willow and I had all kinds of time. That’s when I got a very dreaded call from Emma to meet them at the ER so I could take our Willow girl home as Joe got checked in to the hospital with a blockage. OH NO!! The next week I made myself as available to the kids as possible. Emma spent many hours at Methodist hospital with Joe or long nights at home playing the role of a single parent. Poor Joe was in horrible pain and hating his time away from his sweet family. We did what we could to be helpful. 

At the last moment on Sunday March 17th I whipped out my computer and silhouette to make this “Lucky Girl” shirt to wear for 4-5 hours on St Patrick’s Day. Is that silly? Maybe but it’s what I do. 

After 10 long days, Joe returned home on March 21st

Praying for good health for this young man 

 

Celebrating 50 trips around the sun

Raabes with Julie and Scott Eastridge

I had so much fun surprising Chris with Denver Bronco football tickets to celebrate his 50th birthday! Thanks to our good friends’ (the Meints) connection to some season tickets, I was able to snag 2 seats in the lower bowl for a great price. I love it when things like this work out. And who else would we invite to go with us but the 2 biggest Bronco fans we know, Scott and Julie.  

Friday was our travel day

Saturday was spent in Golden shopping, at the Coors plant and some light hiking. Julie really enjoyed some of the interesting crystals at one of those new age stores. We found the best restaurant in Golden and then enjoyed drinks back at the hotel. 

Sunday was game day

Monday was our travel home day

Coors Brewery tour in Golden

G A M E. D A Y

I might have been a little nervous about going to an outdoor football game in Colorado on December 31st but God blessed us with some amazing weather. I’m wearing several layers but no winter coat. 

Chris’ favorite Bronco - Elway

Getting ready to ring in the New Year

Stadium food

A Bronco Win

Denver Broncos 16  - LA Chargers  9

Happy 50th Birthday Babe!!

 

Merry Christmas 2023 : Peace

Peace: Doesn't it seem elusive? And yet this time of year we talk about it all the time. 

-The Prince of Peace

-World Peace

-Inner Peace

-Find your own Peace

-A Peace of Pie...ha, I'm kidding

We attended two Christmas Eve services because I love our home church but also wanted to attend with Emma and Joe at their home church, Revival. Their pastor spoke about peace (Shalom). He wrote it out in Hebrew and talked about each symbol which gave such a clear view of what true peace is.

Reading from right to left the symbols are

shin - destroy

lamed - authority

vav - attached

mem - chaos

"destroy the authority attached to chaos"

Oh I love this! Isn't that beautiful? The Prince of Peace is one who came to destroy the authority attached to chaos. The Prince of Darkness causes all chaos and Jesus has overcome the evil one. We can find our peace rooted in Jesus. When googling "peace" I get words like "quiet, tranquility, serenity, ease". To be honest my life does not look like those words but in the midst of my loud, difficult, jumbled life I can find peace in Jesus. I am choosing peace. 

 

passing the light is my

favorite Christmas tradition

My Church 

This peanut brings so much joy!

Christmas Eve services with the Marvins

Christmas Eve Eve

After a day of eating, gifts and games we went for a walk in Aksarben to look at lights and ultimately get cupcakes at Jones Bros, which was probably Joe's plan all along. As you can see, Chris is in shorts. It wasn't that nice, he is just crazy. That said, it was a very nice day for late December in Nebraska.

Poor Papa spent Christmas in the hospital

But he enjoyed teasing Joe that he had a much larger room

Finding the silver lining where you can

After 10 days at Methodist hospital Papa is headed home today. There will be some changes with food and exercise and maybe medical treatment but we are so thankful for God protection. 

cookie decorating

Show choir "family" christmas

They made me judge their gingerbread houses. In true show choir fashion we had a drum roll then 2nd runner up, 1st runner up and champion. Ha! These kids are so funny!

All in all we had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to celebrating with the extended Raabe family in January. We haven’t seen my mom over Christmas in more than 7 years since she always chooses to be in Texas with Larry. Seriously, sunshine and warm weather doesn’t sound bad in December. We were supposed to see mom in Small town Kansas on December 26th until Mother Nature changed our plans with 100% snow packed highways. 

”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Just for your viewing pleasure

Weeks 5-6

I can't get enough of this baby girl