family as the new year begins

welcome to the 8th annual Shoopman Holiday Letter
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We pray this letter finds you well and that this year has been good to you all. We are blessed to have a roof over our head (a totally new one at that). With the many challenges faced, by Gods grace only we have made it through.
Well this year we have graduated to all teenagers in the home-one gaining adult status in December. Tim graduated from his HVAC program this spring unfortunately there are no jobs anywhere locally for his training. He is currently working security at the college, while he continues to look for work in his field. Tim was elected as a church board member so now he has an added responsibility. Cassie remains working at the Hospice Care Center but there is rumor that it may close. She is looking for another office manager job. Lexie is now 18, driving, and in her senior year of high school. She is planning to go to college beginning this summer. She changed her plan of study to radiology -- the thought of 8 years of vet school seemed too much. Carson is a junior in school, looking forward to his senior year so he can get out and do whatever he is planning on doing. He got his braces off, now if he would just keep his retainer in. Tyler turned 13 and started 7th grade in the new charter school—we had to stay in line 3 days (and nights) to get him a spot, but from what I see it was well worth it. He was going for his brown belt in karate, but was unable to test this month because of a broken collarbone hopefully in March he will obtain that goal. Ty will continue to dance with the junior dance team , and this year he signed up for the Naval Sea Cadet program(this summer he will go to boot camp for 2 weeks- I don’t know how I’m going to like that with no contact and him being out of state ). Nothing new exciting going on with me. I remain busy with kids, job, church and volunteering. It took a while to get my shoulder back to normal after surgery last year. I didn’t go back to work until February. I currently do work with a trainer during the week to keep strengthening and building the muscles. Looks like early in the year I will be having my knee scoped. It sucks getting old!
With everything going on we did not do too much this year. The house got a new roof (the boys took off 3 layers before we could lay the new). Tim and I went to Las Vegas for our anniversary. We saw the Blue Man Group, they were good. We met the family in Southern California in September to celebrate my Grandmas 95th birthday—I pray I look and do as well as she does if I make it that long! We don’t know what this year has to hold yet , so we will just wait and see.
May God bless and keep you and your family,
Tim, Tracy and family

Las Vegas Anniversary

We try every year to get away for the weekend, by ourselves, to celebrate our anniversary. This year we chose to go to Vegas. While there we had dinner at Bennihanas an saw the Blue Men Group. It was cool I had been wanting to see them for a while. But wouldnt you believe that the weather was not good for laying by the pool. Never got to use my new suit.

Christmas Photo

It came down to my husband working a street corner, at least we got to sit on his lap and tell him what we wanted for Christmas

California

WE DROVE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO HAVE EASTER WITH FAMILY. HAD A FUN DAY AT LEGO LAND BESIDES GETTING RAINED ON THAN WENT TO SEALIFE AQUARIUM. NEXT DAY PLAYED AT THE BEACH WHEN SOME TO REMAIN UNNAMED DIDNT SEE A REASON TO WEAR A SWIM SUIT. I WAS A QUICK TRIP 1500 MILES IN 4 DAYS BUT ALL HAD A GOOD TIME.

IM DONE

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again. I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day. I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.
I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.
So . . . here's my checkbook and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

New Year

Oh last year had so many up and downs but we all survived. We all learned to use a lathe. My youngest got a new kitten. My husband got his lab assistant certificate but cant find a job. My oldest son spent 2 days in ICU and 3 more days in the hospital, but is fine now. Holidays were quiet, but the time together nice.


For the new year I think we will take it one day at a time, not worry about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow, we will be happy in all God has given us, try not to change things out of our control, correct things we can, improve our minds by learning something new, be courteous of others, do things positive to improve our health, take responsibility for our own actions and do what is right. Pray God just gives us what we need to get through

Happy New Year to all

Proclamation

By Abe Lincon
It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon: and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy scriptures and prove by all history, that those nations are blessed whose god is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we hve grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and stregthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that has made us. March 1863

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should besolemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States , an also those who are at sea and those who are sojourninhg in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. October 1863

Project Car--Hot August Nights Here We Come

Back in the 80's I had a 1966 Mustang coupe-- white with original red pony seats. It was so sweet until my step dad rolled it. Since then I had been looking for another one.

This one just about fell in our lap. We have a 14 year old who needs to learn how to work on a car what a better project could he have.

At this time we can drive it around town-- it does need muffler work. Lexie has driven it and is totally not impressed. Carson thinks this is the icing on the cake. Me I remember why now they are called muscle cars-- no power steering.

Carson has the insides almost totally torn out, once we get new seats (right now you need a milk crate behind one of them to see over the dash) we will start detailing the inside, later add some paint and more power and sweet have an awsome muscle car to drive around.

learning something new

Husband and I learned to use a lathe for wood working

Walleys

We spent a week out in Genoa at Walleys Hot Springs- a day into it and the kids were bored, they had a tv, Wii, cell phones and Ipods along with board games and cards but no computer so they were bored. So we went hiking up along Tahoe Ridge

swimming at Lake Tahoe

and went into Reno to see some of the Hot August Night cars

Next year I think we will leave the kids home-- I dont remember acting like that when I was a kid on vacation

Day at the lake

We had just got our skis tuned up and decided to take them out to Lahonton lake while there is still enough water, to see how well they ran. Lexie and her dog took the larger ski out and had a great run

Tim was too scared to ride with me -- He says I'm too crazy on them, I've never fallen off or flipped them even when the waves are a couple feet high-- No since of adventure Tim

OUR ANNIVERSARY

Another adventure for the Shoopman family





Every year for our anniversary Tim and I take a weekend trip away and buy a coffee cup. This year we decided we wanted to go to Heavenly to do some hiking, photography and go down the zip line. Well this weekend sure did not turn out as we had planned. We lost our front breaks going over the hill, my camera lense was messed up and Heavenly will not be open until Memorial weekend. Luckly anywhere we are together things are good.

I booked this bed and breakfast online. When we got there it was nothing like I thought. I had not planned to stay at a little strip motel, which is what I saw at first glance. It ended up being absolutely wonderful. Our room was so nicely decorated in a rustic theme, ( each of the rooms is decorated differently). We had a fireplace, got breakfast in the morning, had a hydro massage each day, and private time in the hot tub with bottomless wine all part of the package. They treated us like we were the only ones there.

The first day we had to take care of the truck for obvious reasons. While it was being repaired we went to breakfast and took a hike through a meadow towards Lake Tahoe. Got a good photo of a very big coyote in the meadow. After we drove up to Heavenly, big disappointment to find it was closed-we were really looking forward to that zip line! Ended up taking the resorts bikes down to the lake and walking along the beach. It was beautiful out.

Well when things dont go as planned gotta improvise and all turned out well--yes we did get our coffee cup.

OHIO TO SEE GRANDMA

The end of February my mom and I flew to Ohio to see my grandma. It was cold. I'm an active person so sitting around in the house was difficult, and walking by her home was not recommended. Stationary bike it was, I did talk mom and grandma to walking at the mall one day. I also spent time with my aunt she had found my dads baby book and school books during her move. We spent the day going through those and other photos she had --That was fun. The best place we went was to the Amish country, The life style is so different from what we are used to. They travel by horse and buggy and dont use electricity in their homes.--I was a little unhappy because the small farms and stores are more commerial since the last time I had visited there. I didn't go there to see and get things made in China, I like the handmade furniture and quilts.

Hot chocolate

HOT CHOCOLATE
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups — porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He then told them all to help themselves to the hot chocolate.When they each had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.""The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.""What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup... but you consciously went for the BEST cups." "And then you began eyeing each other's cups.""Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups.They are just tools to hold and contain life." "The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate."The happiest people don't need the best of everything.They just make the best of everything that they have.Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.And enjoy your hot chocolate!!~Author Unknown

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! TO ONE AND ALL

GREETINGS!

I am unused unspotted without blemish and I stretch before you for three hundred and sixty-five days. I am 2009 and I will present each day to you in its turn. Each day will be a new page in your Book of Life. It is, however, for you to choose what is written on each page.
Remember, it remains for you to make of me what you will! If you write with firm, steady strokes my pages will be a joy to look upon when the year 2010 arrives.
Each day will be a fresh new time in which you may make good choices that will enrich your life. It's time ahead for sweet and welcome new beginnings.
Be brave, strong and as determined as possible to fill each day with lots of Love, Kindness, Hope, Adventure, Awareness, Appreciation, Responsibility, Striving, and Forgiveness of Self and Others. Trust yourself and be forgiving and patient when events or people disappoint you -- for health's sake.
I am New Year 2009 and I am filled with possibilities and promise. Write your pages well and make me your best year ever.
New Year 2009

Tradition has it that every 365 days, you try to kick bad habits and start your life anew. We have a clean slate to write the next chapter of our lives. A chance to get it right. Let this year be better than all the others. So what will yours be?

In 2008 we worked out together, tightened our belts a bit, learned some new things, traveled to see family and generally got busy with life.

2009 promises to be busy also. My goals for the most part remain unchanged:

1) I want to show Gods love more and show it every day

2) Continue to reach and maintain my health goals

3) Increase our wealth and decrease our debt

4) Grow by learning something new

5) Keep my focus on what is truly important.

Glory to God in the highest heaven

who unto man His son has given

While Angles sing with tender mirth

A glad New Year to all on earth.

--Martin Luther

I pray you all the best in this up coming year!

TIM

I decided I love my husband lots. Yesterday when I'm loosing it, about to drop kick my lap top for the last time. Tim drags me kicking and screaming to Best Buy and lets me pick out a new toy. Yup just another reason why I love him Lots!

Las Vegas

Ok I understand Reno having snow but when I scheduled a class down in Las Vegas I was hoping for better weather. We flew in on December 16 when Vegas had their storm. I was hoping to spend time on the strip after classes, and have a little jacuzzi time in the mornings. The weather didn't make it impossible just a little more challenging. Any way still had a good time and yes we did pass our classes

Early Turkey Day

We had family out for an early Thanksgiving. Tom here was the prized guest at 33 pounds. ( It takes 7 hours to cook something that size) My mom and her husband came from Washington my grandma from Ohio. The kids thought it was great to "camp out" for the week. On Veterans day we did the whole Thanksgiving thing, since kids had no school, from turkey to pumpkin pie. On Wednesday my mom, grandma, and I went to Virginia City. Our first stop was to an old time studio for a photo. Grandma and I were dressed as saloon girls, my mom as the proper lady. ( Did I mention that grandma is 92???) It was cute. After that we spent the day showing grandma the town. I'd love to post the old time photo here but I think that there are copyright laws against it. Later in the week we went to see Sand Mountain and Grimes Point.

Idaho

Tim and I spent 4 days in Idaho visiting with his family and friends. It is a long drive from home to Carey ID especially since all the landscape was brown. 2 days were spent in Carey with his sister Kaye and her husband. Tim being the person he is spent one day putting in a water system to make it easier for them. The last few



days we spent in the mountains with his friends from highschool --Kim, Ty, and Cindy. We had a great time just hanging out. I found that my husband is funny when he is drunk ( this is the first time since we have been married) He is very mellow and extremly funny! On the way out of town we stopped by where he used to live, his back yard was Snake River what a playground.

Last Vacation of Summer

Isn't this a pretty sun rise?? This is a view from our room. Tim and I like to sit on the deck and have a cup of coffee while it goes up, the kids want to sleep. David Walleys hot springs is not that far from home, but it is worlds away from the house. We like it because it is close to Lake Tahoe. Every year we spend a week here where we hike, fish, play on rafts at the lake, ride bikes, play pool, and take walks to Genoa. Of course we spend time in the hot mineral baths and out by the pools too.