The End......

At the end of each blog year I say this is it...and then I blog some more.

Sadly, this is truly the end.  I have run out of time, humorous ideas, and just plain old desire.

I love going back and looking at old pictures...my grandparent, aunts and uncles and imagining what their lives were like.  What was their day like, their favorite meals, did they take trips, did they pray (well, I know that was part of their lives).

So my blog was meant to leave some thoughts for my family, both kids and grandkids.

Do they know I was born in Chicago? I grew up in a Catholic school, never knowing anything about public school until my junior year in high school.  I was not happy when my parents moved me to Dallas...I rebelled a bit.  I love the beach more than anything although my pilgrimages to France, the Holy Land, and Rome were pretty special. I don't especially like jewelry.  I don't go out of the house without big hair and makeup.  Diet coke is my favorite drink and anything with sugar makes me happy.

So very many thoughts as I close the door on this blog.

I have left behind about eight years of memories.

The rest will just live in my heart.

Family.....

 It is Christmas Eve.  That means rising to put on matching pajamas and gathering to celebrate all day.  

 Christmas Eve is special.  We anticipate the birth of our Savior and simply enjoy family time.

On Christmas Day I love to relax, listen to the last of the month long Christmas carols and eat!

 Games!

 Food!

 Too many pictures, because next year these kids will look entirely different.

 Presents!

 Plastic tubs and memories.  That is what I collect in my heart.

Goodbye to Christmas 2017.

It has been wonderful!

A Lot Of Christmas Cheer!......

Our extended family is growing...a lot!!  I am not sure of the exact count but it is nearing 35 or so.

That makes for chaos, confusion, noise, and fun when we find time to gather for holidays.

This year we were only minus one when we landed with food, gifts, and bottles of cheer at Aunt Pam's house.

God bless Aunt Pam!

We were making a vain attempt to get the kids together for a picture.  VAIN is the keyword here!

You will just have to take my word when I tell you they are an adorable bunch when they all look at the camera.

Uncle Bergy is reciting our annual favorite "The Night Before Christmas".  I think the adults enjoy it more than the kids.  

Unwrapping our three foot tall stockings!

And on this very day Mandy turned the big 40!!  

Another reason to PARTY!!!

Always the ringleader, Finley is directing the Christmas gift exchange!

Love this girl!

Until next year, Merry Christmas to All!

Hello December!.....

Happy #2 Matthew Joseph!....

Wow!

Our little man is two today.

 He is every bit boy and every bit delightful in every way.

 Making funny faces is one of his favorite things.

He is a master of charades, preferring to act out what he is trying to say rather than just tell you!

 His sister's think he is incredible.  That in itself is awesome because most sisters are bothered by a little brother who messes up their doll houses and takes over their TV with Paw Patrol.

 Mattie Jo loves tractors, balls, and trucks.

He can kick a football, swing a golf club, and give you the thumbs up sign on cue.

 One of his favorite things, however, is his daddy.  This is not your typical mama's boy.  He is a daddy's boy all the way.  

 God has blessed me one hundred times over with these precious faces.

Each is unique and holds a special place in my heart.

Matthew you are the namesake.  You are the one that will carry the Shubzda name forward.

You are the one who carries not just the Shubzda names but also Matt's name and I am certain that your Uncle Matt could not be prouder.

I love you sweet boy.  I love that you are close enough that I can see you whenever my heart desires...and that is pretty often.

I love that you are such an easy, content little boy.

I love that you are two and I have been able to experience the joy you have brought to our lives each day since you arrived.

Happy Birthday Matthew Joseph.

Planning Ahead.....

I am a lover of all things Christmas.

The fact that Hobby Lobby has Christmas out after the 4th of July is a bit over kill but now that Halloween is past, I am ready.

 I know that we should celebrate the holidays and we should not pass over Thanksgiving...but I am not.

 I love turkey, pumpkin pie, and family.  I can still honor that with my Christmas tree fully decorated.

I don't think it detracts from the meaning of the day.  

Christmas season is my favorite.  I overdecorate, over buy and over celebrate, and if I am going to put that much effort in to it I want to enjoy it...for weeks, and weeks, and weeks.

So, thank you Hallmark for Christmas movies that have already started and for the radio stations that are playing Christmas tunes.

Celebrate as you like...I choose Christmas.

For the Record.......

And just exactly who wants this record?  

We set a record for the highest temperature ever recorded in 

Dallas today.

EVER!

IN HISTORY!

And today is November 2nd.

So who needs or wants this ridiculous record?

I am struggling to buy pansies for my garden when all my summer flowers are still blooming beautifully.  Christmas decorations are out everywhere and I know how people who live in Los Angeles must feel during the holidays. My internal season clock is totally out of whack and from what I understand this is not the end of this record breaking heat.

So here we are on November 2...just for the record.

Hello November.....

A Perfectly Beautiful Day....

 God surely smiled on this beautiful couple.

The day  before this late October wedding the temperature was in the 50's and the wind was blowing about 30 miles an hour.  A nightmare scenario for an outdoor wedding with a hundred people in attendance.  

On this day it was 70 degrees and not a leaf was moving.  You could not have ordered more perfect for this perfectly matched pair!

 Kelsey and Drake were a long time planning this special day.

 With almost all their families and friends in attendance they said their "I do's" with tears in their eyes.

 And then proceeded to a celebrate in style!

Love these kids, our new family member and missing all of the family that could not join us.

Happy wedding day Kelsey and Drake.