THIS MORNING

Oh, what a beautiful morning! I have a routine that I follow each morning. Alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m. I shower, get my cup of coffee, read my Bible and spend time with God. As I'm finishing, I know that the sun will be coming up, and I always glance over to see the beauty. This morning I grabbed my camera and captured the sun as it was coming up. BEAUTIFUL!!

I have been so bad about posting for quite some time. I read other blogs each day but have been lazy about writing. I will try and do better. So happy that the weather has been warmer here this week. Makes me wish for an early spring. I'm sure there are many cold days ahead but I enjoy the spring-like days as they come. Hope each of you have a great week-end.

CHRISTMAS RECAP

Thought I'd share a little recap of our Christmas holidays. On Christmas Eve it was quite "blustery" and during the night the wind was very strong. I only noticed a wreath missing from an upstairs window, but later on Christmas Day my husband went outside and saw this in our pool. Our gas grill (still covered) was in the bottom of the deep end of the pool. The temperature was nothing like it is today (thank goodness) but still very cold. We knew no way to get the grill out other than him going in. The water temperature was 47 degrees! When he got under the water he was unable to stay because it was so cold. However, the sweeper that was under the grill was used to bring it to the surface and it is now out. YEAH!!!!!

It is a tradition that each Christmas Eve is spent with my best friend and her family. We have been doing this for about 15 years and you wouldn't believe the food and fun that we have. Below is a picture of me and Jane. We are as close as two people can be.
This picture is us with our spouses. We have been "best" friends for over 25 years.

The week after Christmas my husband and I went to the beach for a few days before going to see our son and his family. It was great to be able to relax and spend some time together after all the busy time during the month of December.


I'm looking forward to a brand new year with family and friends. Hope all of you are blessed with the best year ever.

THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED....

.......all snug in Gigi's lap before going to bed last night. We had such a great week. The first part of the week my husband and I spent at the beach relaxing and doing just what we wanted to do. On Wednesday we headed to Louisiana to see our son and his family. The three girls sure know how to make a Granddaddy and Gigi two happy people! Enjoyed seeing what Santa brought them and getting all the hugs and kisses we could in a short time.

This picture was made this morning as we were leaving. Breanna and Emma came out to wave goodbye but Maddie was inside crying because we were leaving. It sure hurts to leave but we know that the tears stop shortly after we are gone. Being with these sweet girls was a great way to start a new year.

CHRISTMAS --- MY WAY

I've enjoyed reading the way some of you celebrate Christmas and thought I'd follow with answering the questions myself.

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? Wrapping paper for sure (unless there is something that is so oddly shaped that I must put it in a gift bag). I started using the curling ribbon several years ago (thanks to my friend, Jane) and use it on my packages.

2. Real or Artificial Tree? Artificial -- only because I put my trees up way early and having a fireplace in my den causes a real tree to shed way too early.

3. When do you put up your tree? I used to put my tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving but this year I put it up the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I have Christmas parties early in December and find it too hard to decorate after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? I usually take the tree down the week after Christmas. It's always sad for me to take it down.

5. Do you like eggnog? NO! I can't stand the thought of raw eggs.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't remember a favorite....it's been a LONG time. I do remember getting some play dishes so this must have really been special.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My neighbor, Larry. He has everything one could imagine and it's always hard to think of something for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter, Amy. She doesn't have a problem giving me a list to choose from!

9. Do you have a Nativity Scene? Yes....this is a must!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I love getting cards through the mail.

11. Favorite Christmas move? "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I tell myself I'll shop throughout the year, but really I start the day after Thanksgiving with the sales.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Probably have.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Jane's Icebox Fruitcake

15. Lights on the tree? White

16. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home but travel after Christmas to see son and his family.

17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Day? We open presents on Christmas Eve because Santa came on Christmas morning.

18. Is there any specific "tradition" that you do? Christmas Eve is spent with my best friend. We alternate years having this at our houses. One year it will be at my house and the next year at hers. This is tradition and the kids look forward to it.

CHRISTMAS IS FOR GIVING

Look at all the bicycles....this picture shows only a section of our church gym. A few hours before this picture was taken a HUGE truck pulled up to the door and over 400 boxes were unloaded. (All the bicycles had to be put together) Tables were set up to use as each bicycle was assembled. Crews were ready to work through the night and next day in order to get these bicycles to foster children in our area. I could not believe that 5 hours later all bikes were together and the men were on their way home. The story behind this endeavor really hits home to me. My two oldest grandsons were foster children of a couple who once attended our church. God placed them there so my daughter and her husband would meet the children and know these boys were to be their children. Several years later (after the boys became our grandsons) the man who had been Keith & Zack's PaPa (foster dad) passed away. It was his wish that instead of flowers at his funeral, bicycles would be bought for foster children. His family has kept his wish going for several years at Christmas. Bicycles are bought and delivered throughout the area for foster children.

In case I haven't told you before.....I LOVE my church family. This project was one example of men working together (with some help from others) to get a project done for others. Acts 20:35 reads "It is more blessed to give than to receive." It is through giving that we receive the most rewards.

NOT TIME TO PANIC......YET!

See the CHRISTMAS outfit above? No, it's not finished....the ruffle hasn't been put on the pants and the buttons aren't on the top. (In case you are wondering, the pants are from the same fabric as the top....it just looks different with my "not so great" camera.) It has to be mailed to Louisiana on top of it all. I also have not finished with all my shopping and none of the presents I have bought are wrapped. I know exactly how many days are left and it sure isn't many.....it's ALMOST time for me to panic. Looks like I will be spending tomorrow night finishing the sewing and getting outfits in the mail on Wednesday. Pray that I'm able to find the last of my gifts soon and then get them wrapped.

DECK THE HALLS

Each year the ladies from church come over for an ornament swap and a time of great snacks and fellowship. This year we brought gifts for a sweet girl who will be married in a few weeks. All the gifts you see are for her and there were so many wonderful things for the new couple to use in decorating their home.

There's absolutely no need to worry about trying to diet during the month of December. There were too many yummy finger foods and none were "healthy" or of the low calorie type.

Angie & Anita tried to escape to the sunporch but soon every seat was taken. There were 33 sweet ladies who came.

I'm not kidding when I say there were no more seats. If you notice there's someone on each of the stairs.

It's so much fun to be with friends. These ladies don't know what they mean to me and my family. I know Aramie went home with MANY beautiful things....but all left with the gift of friendship.