Christmas 2008

Well, the presents have been unwrapped and most are put away. The left over food has been eaten one last time and now we decide it's time to throw it out. A hamburger or pizza really sounds good about now! I am tempted to begin putting away the decorations but I do love just sitting on the couch in the early mornings and looking at my tree.

Even though so much of Christmas is over, the memories will live in my heart for a long time. This was the year that all of Jerry and Brenda's children were to be with us. It was also the year that Brenda and I thought we would help mom out by having Christmas here or at their house. After all, mom had major surgery in August and she is approaching 90 years old. We just wanted to help her out. Well, when I mentioned this to Britt, he was appalled that we would not be at MeMe's house on Christmas. He informed me that we could just do all the cooking but that we should get together at MeMe's! So, he and MeMe won out because that is really what she wanted to do anyway.(I think they got together and plotted against us!HA!)

We did all meet at mom's house and what a wonderful day!. At times I thought the walls might just explode from the crowd and the laughter. Five great grandchildren--precious angels that love each other and their MeMe more than you can imagine. It is so wonderful to see my nieces, those precious little girls that I held in my arms as tiny babies, now having families of their own. To see how they have developed into loving wives and mothers. To see their husbands, Godly men, that love God with all their heart, so in turn they adore their wives and are leaders in their homes. They also love MeMe and she in turn treats them as if they are related by blood. Mom has never shown favoritism when it comes to "in laws.

The day went too quickly! Visiting around the table had to end and soon everyone had to leave. Britt and Maya(his black lab) had to leave for Nacogdoches. I must say that Maya and Britt helped entertain the older children. They had so much fun together. Danny had to come back to Arlington, and the others went to Wills Point to stay with Jerry and Brenda.

Soon, it was just mom and me sitting in the den listening to the dishwasher churning away for the third time that day. As I watched mom, she dozed off in the chair, but with a smile on her face. You see, she got exactly what she wanted for Christmas--all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at her house, eating at her table. Oh, she also got a picture taken with those great grandchildren which was her main wish! I hope you celebrated the birth of Jesus with joy and laughter as we did. Enjoy the pictures.

Thanksgiving Day and More

We had a wonderful holiday as we enjoyed family on Thursday and Friday. We spent Thanksgiving with Danny's sister Linda and her husband, Ken. Also, we were able to spend time with Ken's mom, Chloe, Neil and Kayce and their children, Cooper and Elliott. My mom went with us to Ken and Linda's lakehouse on Lake Cherokee in Longview. We had a wonderful time of visiting and of course, eating. Linda is a great cook and as usual she had way too much food. We watched the Cowboys win and Neil and Chloe fished a little. It is always a relaxing trip to the lake. Kayce and I had a great time to visit and the kids were so much fun to play with because they are so precious! We missed Kevin and his family and Britt because they needed to be other places.
We left the lake and went back to mom's house. Danny had to leave and go back to Arlington to work on Friday--bummer!! But Daniel, Amy, and Cameron came Thursday night and spent the night at MeMe's. Friday morning, Daniel and Amy woke up early and went shopping and mom and I got to keep Cameron. He is a sweetie! Later, our tradition held true and Amy, Brenda, and I went shopping. We have done this for years and whoever is at MeMe's on Friday after Thanksgiving we always hit the mall!! I know it's crazy but we have fun being together and getting into the excitement of Christmas. MeMe made a wonderful dinner and once again I ate too much. We all worked at puttting MeMe's Christmas tree up and getting the decorations set out for her. Carson loves decorating the tree and he didi a great job! We really missed Amanda and Melodie and their families but we have to share now so we understand.I hope everyone had fun. Get ready--Christmas will be here before we can blink!

Thanksgiving

Reflecting on Thanksgiving once again makes me realize how blessed I am with so much. Danny and I always thank God for our health. We are so blessed to be healthy--yes we both take meds for blood pressure and other things but still we are able to each work two jobs and enjoy life.
I am blessed to have a husband that makes life fun. After 35 years (WOW~~has it really been that long!!) he still makes me laugh. Of course, there are times he makes me mad and makes me cry but those are not often. We have found that laughter truly cures a lot of problems. I have learned not to take some things so serious.
I am blessed to have a mom that is, for the most part, healthy and enjoys life at the age of 89. Even though she has been alone for almost 2 years, she keeps a positive attitude.
I have a brother and sister in law(she is really a sister) that step in so many times to help mom while I am working and can't always be readily available.
I could go on forever about family because we all get along so well. Danny's family is the same way. We just all truly love each other.
Of course, our sweet grown son, Britt. He has blessed our lives so much as we have watched him mature and begin to find his way in life. He is thoughtful and loving.
Finally, our friends. Friendship is not treasured nearly enough by many people. We are blessed beyond all we can imagine by friends that love us, pray for us, and lend a hand when we need one.
At the very top of my list is my thankfulness for God sending His Son, Jesus, to offer eternal life. Where would I/we be without the guidance and love of sweet Jesus.
So, as the day of Thanks approaches, take time to remember what you have--not material things --but things that cannot be replaced and hold on to them a little tighter.
Happy Thanksgiving!

A Visit from Britt, Crystal, and Maya

This past weekend we had a nice visit with Britt and Crystal and of course, the Lab, Maya. Britt and Crystal had a wedding to attend in Dallas on Sat. so they came here Friday night. It is always fun to have them eventhough the time is usually very short. Saturday was busy with me taking Crystal for a pedicure and then we went shopping for a suit for Britt. The kids just need time to relax and rest. Crystal works two jobs and is in school. Britt is working and is usually very busy either selling T.Vs or installing them. So, we loved being with them. Maya is a sweet dog and we kept her on Sat. night while they were at the wedding. She missed them but she was very well behaved.

Our Weekend In Austin

OnNovember 14th Danny and I both took a day off of work and traveled to Austin to visit our friends Mary and Charlie Johnson. We took our time driving down and stopped at a favorite spot just off of Interstate 35 near Waco. Homestead Heritage is a wonderful little village where they make their own bread, pottery, and furniture. The handmade furniture always amazes us, it is truly beautiful. We left there and stopped in Round Rock at the Outlet Mall!! I love that place. We then went on to the Round Rock Bakery where they make the best bread and doughnuts you have ever put in your mouth.

When we arrived at the Johnson's we went to The Oasis on Lake Travis for dinner. Charlie had to work so Mary took us out to celebrate my birthday. It was beautiful to see the sunset over the lake but then the cold front started blowing in! It began to blow everything off of the tables. Fortunately, we were finished with dinner so we left. We really enjoyed spending time with our friends. We had a very restful weekend.

A Fun Weekend

Danny and I spent a nice Saturday doing things for our friends. Danny help our friend Cruz hang a front door. Actually, I think he helped Carolyn just as much since she has been needing this new front door for a while. Then we went to Irby and Cheryl's new house and he helped Irby hang blinds. Now, if you know Danny, like most of you do, he is a comedian in just about all he does. I just had to have this picture of him! He is so crazy! He can make you laugh even hanging blinds. We are enjoying helping the Coxes get into their home. It is already beginning to look like home for them.

We went back tonight(Sunday) so Danny could help Irby with more blinds. As you can see by the pictures they worked hard and were in deep thought many times(sure--deep thought for those 2??) After finishing the blinds we went to dinner and then the guys had to treat themselves to Cold Stone Creamery. One of the many things they have in common is the LOVE of Ice Cream!!!

The dogs even seem to be feeling right at home. I think they love the place! It has been a fun weekend!

Now It Looks Better

I have said all along that I am not a computer genius by any means. When I started this blog I just "played around" with it mostly on my own. Well, I really messed it up the other night and it became a big frustration. Of course, it probably didn't help that it was midnight after a long day at school! So, last night my best friend once again came to my rescue! Cheryl came over and we worked for a few hours on this blog. I kept saying, "This was not suppose to take all of this time!" Of course, if I would stop just randomly hitting buttons it probably wouldn't. So, we finally figured it out and now it looks so much better! I am a "hands on" learner so now that I have actually done it myself maybe I can do it right the next time.
Thanks Cheryl for being my computer guru!