Monday, December 31, 2012

Complete.....

Today is the day...the last day of 2012.  Laying in bed this morning thinking about it I am not sure how I would rate this year.  Perfect?  No, that is not exactly true.  A six day hospital stay because of a punctured esophagus and then West Nile virus moves the perfect scale down a few notches.  It is certainly not perfect when you are forced to replace almost every major appliance, the garage door about three times, the circuit board on the swimming pool, car tires, Yukon body damage, and so on, and so on. 
Awesome...maybe that works.  Awesome does not indicate perfect
....but it does make a statement on the way I feel about 2012.  When you have so many good moments you can over look the not so good (the not perfect).
 For our family we have celebrated to so many things.  We were opening a bottle of wine on a regular basis to toast promotions, retirements, job changes, and engagements. Those are the good times! We enjoyed great family times at our lake reunion, holidays, and showers.  We welcomed two new babies to the clan and that is time for major celebration.  We gathered for Christmas Eve and sat together in church.  For anyone that knows me, my only Christmas wish (forget presents) is to fill the pew at church with immediate and extended family on Christmas Eve...and we did.  That surely earns an AWESOME rating.
It is also a time to look at the things that always make me smile...like Christmas cards.  The December mail is a month long gift.  I love the cards and letters from friends that we may hear from only once a year.  I look at them over and over again for the friendship of all of these people is a treasure. AWESOME!
2012 is the year that did not end on December 21 as predicted by the Mayans.  I am ever so glad that the unknown planet did not collide with Earth.  I have several more things on the agenda before we call it a day.  It was the year with the infamous 12-12-12.  It was a day of good luck.  For me it was no different than any other day but nothing broke so I consider that very lucky.
It was the year that closed the doors on the maker of the Hostess Twinkie.  I am not sure why production on that product did not end years ago.  When something has a shelf life of 12 years it should not exist anyway! We elected a president. It is a repeat performance for Obama.  Another chance to refine Obamacare and keep us from falling off the fiscal cliff.  This really is not awesome.
We remembered the 10th anniversary of Matt's accident with a Act of Random Kindness Day that was created by Matt's very close friends.  It was a healing day.  So many people benefited from the gifts of kindnesses of friends worldwide.  AWESOME !
I got to spend lots of great time with the grandbabies.  That was at the top of my list of  favorite moments.  Snuggles, hugs and tea parties...AWESOME!
Sunday dinner....AWESOME.  Sometimes chaos but knowing that even though everyone may not be there each Sunday, it has become a regular habit and I love it.
Finding, after far too many years, a new pastor at our church that makes me WANT to be there every Sunday...AWESOME!  Church is a peaceful, comfortable place for me and to be drawn again to worship once a week has been a true gift.
Sadly as I have been in church I have had a heavy heart on most Sundays as far too many of my friends are dealing with issues that weigh heavy on my heart.  2102 has brought far to many cases of illness and death.  My special cousin being one of those who is no longer with us. Illness has touched many this year way to young to be dealing with such a burden.  My prayer list is long each Sunday and I am hoping that 2013 bring healing for many so ill at this time.

2012...AWESOME!
What am I wishing for in 2013?  That is for tomorrows thought.  I am ready to make the best of the last day of 2012.

"We will open a book.  It's pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called opportunity and it's first chapter is New Years Day"
                                  Edith Pierce

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

PERFECT.........

The weatherman predicted it and they were right for once!!! Snow on Christmas Day and it was perfect!  
Just about the time the paper was removed from all of the packages and breakfast was complete, a pouring rain turned into a beautiful snowfall. It was our version of a "Winter Wonderland".

If you are a Texan you know this is a very rare occurrence.  For kids all over the area it was like Santa answered a prayer.....all of the toys are great but snow on Christmas...well Norman Rockwell could not have painted a more perfect scene.
It was peaceful.  It was cleansing, and if you could get through the day without a smile on your face, well, you just might want to join the Grinch in Whoville!
We set the camera on the tripod, took the mandatory snowfall on Christmas Day 2012 pictures and then retreated inside to warm up.
After three days of too much fun, and not enough sleep...... a great snowfall, icy streets and cold weather was the perfect excuse to settle in for a "long winters nap".
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
I believe we will!!
Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve Shubzda Style......

Food......LOTS!!!

 Family Pictures......MANY!!!!!
Babies.....PRECIOUS!!!!

 Gift Exchange.......HUMOROUS!!!!
JCP!!!!  You bet...support the family store!

 Family pictures...ONE MORE TIME!!!!
The best thing to find in your stocking.....THIS BABY!!!
Such a fun family day!!!!

No Grinches Here....

"The term Grinch shall apply,
When Christmas spirit is in short supply."
There was no shortage of Christmas spirit as we got together on multiple occasions to celebrate Christmas 2012!

I have been ready for the holiday since late November and it was just like my mind imagined. 
Before grandchildren I loved Christmas...now I love Christmas tenfold. 
Those precious babies bring back all the memories of my own four babies as they waited for Santa's arrival each year.

Matching pajamas  (thank you grown children for humoring me each year and wearing these),
and the goofy family pictures are just part of what makes me smile each year.



How could something that brings so much hope and joy to your life just keep getting better.

As I find so much joy in these children I also know that it was a tiny baby over two thousand years ago that gave us reason to celebrate this special day.
This is the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you, Lord, for this gift. The gift of JOY, HOPE, and PEACE! The gift of a your Son in the form of a newborn baby.  The gift of a Savior. May we remember to celebrate and share this gift all year long.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Just A Little Construction .....

 Another perk of having Gramps around the house all of the time is that he can enjoy all of the Christmas activities.....like building a gingerbread house together.  Brooklynn taught him how the whole thing worked.   

Gramps took the whole event very seriously.  Brooklynn on the other hand took the crafters approach to decoration.. knit one purl one....or place one, eat one.
What we learned from the whole adventure was that though it sounds like fun,
putting the box on your head and laughing at yourself is a whole lot funnier!
And playing games on a phone while Gramma cleans up sprinkles and glitter of the kitchen floor is the best part of the whole thing.

Chistmas, Gaylord Texan Style.....

Just what the season needed!







Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Just A Brunch Date.....

 Overeat seems to be the word of the season.  Is that what all retired women do?
If food bonds people together then we WILL ccontinue to be friends forever!
 My retired coworkers from Luna Elementary meet once a month over lunch...except for each Christmas when Sandy is so kind to open her house for an extended visit.  If the Christmas spirit has not wrapped itself around you yet I assure you a trip into her beautiful home will make you think Santa the minute you walk through the front door. 
 It is a cross between the best of Southern Living and Pinterest finest ideas all in one place.
 It makes me want to stay and wait for Santa to arrive!  Or maybe it just  makes me want to go home and clean thoroughly and then get out the rest of the Christmas that I decided to leave in the attic this year! As I unpacked all the boxes early in December I kept thinking...what goes up must come down so STOP where you are!
To all of my Luna buddies, thanks for sharing part of your holiday with me.  To Sandy who is the ultimate hostess...thank you for extending the warmth and cheer of the holiday with all of us.  You are the best.