The Stockings Were Hung...

Christmas Eve was a really fun day. Rod had the day off, so I got to spend some time with him. We took the kids shopping to WalMart and Sam's, which surprisingly were not very crowded or busy. In the early afternoon, Rod and I went to Thunderbird for a hike. It was PERFECT weather - in the 60's. We did our favorite 1 hour trail. Coming down of the face of the mountain, we ran into several other hikers. With one group, I had to step up some rocks to get off the trail to let them pass. I put my right foot on a loose rock and down I went, landing right on my left cheek and sort of whip lashing the left side of my body. I was rather humiliated as all these cute teen aged girls were saying "are you okay??" Fine - just leave me alone and let me nurse my hurt pride. It was such a perfect afternoon for a hike and we enjoyed the beautiful outdoors, blue sky, and breeze. When we got home it was time to make Christmas Eve dinner. I fixed Asiago/Pear Pork Loin, sour cream herb mashed potatoes, sauteed asparagus, baby greens with craisins, cashews, red onion, bacon and poppy seed dressing. Rondaleen brought a wonderful blueberry cream cheese jello, Kathy and Larry Percy brought cherry and apple sparkling cider and we had a delicious Black Forrest cake for dessert. It was so much fun to eat such a wonderful meal and share it with our friends. We then read the Christmas story out of Luke 2, and each told of a favorite Christmas memory. After our company left, the kids insisted on opening one present before going to bed. "It's tradition!" Of course, they picked the present from Katie. (She always gives such great gifts!) Nick's was in a big box, and Becca's was in a little tiny square box. She just couldn't figure out what could be in there. They both ended up getting Hurley shirts from Katie and were delighted. Also, they both got Christmas pajamas (early). The stockings were then hung....... And mysteriously during the night the stockings were filled......... We actually had to wake the kids in the morning, and they had been insisting that we not sleep in because it was Christmas! As you can see, Nick got a big buzz from all the suckers in his stocking. He got Wii games and a couple of movies. Becca really loved this present, but won't let me tell what it is because she wants to blog about it. But she got some Hannah Montana piano/guitar books, videos, a huge variety of candy kisses and some clothes. Allen liked what he found in his stocking! (Uncle Ben is always a welcome relative!) Rod was full of surprises as I opened up a really neat digital video camera (the DVD kind with the little discs!), and a GPS for the car. He thinks you must have toys for Christmas! He was also very pleased with his new GPS - that is one toy he really uses and enjoys. We have enjoyed just relaxing today. We took a little walk around our area and with the help of Rod's new GPS we found a Geo-cache. It is fun to look for those. We are so blessed with such an abundant life, and truly my cup runneth over, even if my stove did burn out while I was making Christmas Brunch! Happy Birthday to our Savior, and Merry Christmas to you.

Christmas Brunch . . . a tradition that is not to be broken!

You will never BELIEVE what happened today. I was making my traditional Christmas brunch . . . breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage, cheese, hash browns, and then biscuits and gravy. m-m-m-m-m-m-m! Well, right in the middle of cooking, my stove died! I could smell something like melting plastic and thought maybe a bit of Saran wrap had fallen on a burner or something. Even Allen said "something smells electrical!" The biscuits were only half baked, I had just stirred the hash browns to brown the other side, the eggs were ready to scramble, and the sausage was browning nicely. I sort of panicked when I opened the oven and it was not hot in there, and the biscuits were sort of risen, but not browned or done - still pasty looking. And then I noticed that the sausage was no longer sizzling in the pan. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! Immediately help was there: my sleuthing team checked the breakers, we reset all the GFCI plugs and still nothing on the stove responded. No lights, no time, no nothing! Needless to say I was pretty upset - I mean this stove is only a year and a half old -we bought it with some tax return money our first spring here. I thought maybe I should just run down to the church and finish, but Rod has a better suggestion. So I called up my good friend, Trudy, and finished cooking everything at her house and then brought it all back home where it was quickly consumed by my hungry fledglings. Everything was good and everone was happy - "WHEW." So tonight - - - I think we'll just have sandwiches. Thank goodness this did not happen last night when I was making our big Christmas Eve dinner - which, by the way, was really good and we had such a great time. More about that later. Merry Christmas!

That Thursday Thing

The city of Glendale sponsors "That Thursday Thing" on the 3rd Thursday of the month from October through May. The downtown area of Glendale consists of several antique stores, gift shops, and cafes. The stores stay open later that night, and offer samples, drawings, prizes and there are live performers (musicians and belly dancers) that do their thing. For those that are willing to wait in line, a free horse and carriage ride can be had through the "historic district." It is very cool. Last night we took the kids to the event. When we arrived, we went to the Civic Center, where the bags with all the coupons, a map of the area, and list of merchants was given out. We each got to spin the wheel for our prizes. I got a little snowman, Becca got a Merry Christmas bracelet with little jingle bells on it, and Nick got a Christmas Stocking. I can't remember what Rod got - duh! "Glendale Glitters" is going on and we enjoyed the beautiful lights in the town square. This one of the palm trees. It is way cool the way they string the lights on the palms. Unique, indeed! We walked around, listened to the performers, saw the belly dancers (Nick and Becca were quited stunned) and selected the little cafe called Bitsy Mama's. Their specialty was Mexican food, but Nick was able to get a great burger, too. Becca, Rod and I were happy with the chips and salsa, chimichanga and chili verde.

Becca's favorite tree was the one behind them with the butterflies. Nick gave her a piggyback ride to the photo spot. We did have a great time together, and I think we'll do "That Thursday Thing" again! It will be one of our Christmas Traditions to go when the square is all lit up with Christmas.

August Rush in December

Just let me say that this movie was surprisingly good. When it was over, I said "I loved that fairy tale story." Becca did not agree that it was a "fairy tale." She said it was "amazing." It really is an impossible story, but one that you can delve into and live the fantasy for a while. There is really diverse music and a great story: one that teaches us to stand for what we believe, and develop what lies within us. If you want a good get-away-from-real-life story, this is your movie.

Oh What Fun It Is . . .

December First – what a day! It is the official beginning of the month of Christmas. To me the beginning of the season is the day after Thanksgiving. That is usually the day I pull out all the Christmas decorations and go to town. However, I was not home during that time, so Saturday was the day at our house.

Ugh! What messy looking boxes.

We had to pull all this stuff out of the shed while dodging our wild dog.

Nick and Becca were such great help and I think they even had fun.

They did the shelf in the family room with the Christmas garlands and lights.

They helped me do the shelf above the doorway to the family room.

They helped put the tree together, they strung all the lights, and they helped hang the ornaments. Of course, while decorating inside we had our favorite Christmas CD’s playing (Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, and the Oakridge Boys). That’s just a tradition we cannot break! We decided we had to hang lights outside this year, so we even made a trip to Walmart for an extension cord. We ended up getting the icicle style lights for the outside. I went to the store WITH OUT my makeup – can you believe that? AND the kids would not let me wear my cute snowflake headband with the bells, either! I ALWAYS get myself completely ready every day before I do anything. Oh, well . . . it was necessary and I don’t think anyone that saw me will remember! (Thankfully we did not see anyone we know!)

Nick and Becca were so great outside.

They were climbing ladders, hammering nails,

undoing the ties on the strands, and hanging lights.

The sky was way cloudy and dark.

The wind came up.

Nick was at the highest point on the ladder when the rain started.

I told the kids I thought we could finish if we really hustled.

Then the thunder rumbled.

I told Nick I was not willing to sacrifice him to the lightening Gods and to come down off the ladder! We went back inside and worked on the tree while it rained. During a break in the storm we ran out to finish and discovered that the lights did not finish with the right end to plug into the extension cord, so I climbed the ladder and took the lights down. We switched it around and when I finished it was the same! Wrong end again! I could not figure out what was going on. So I started back to remove the lights and got to where the two lines were plugged together. THAT’S where the problem was, so we only had to switch one line around. Boy, did I ever feel stupid! By the time we actually finished up, it had started to blow and rain again. We did get a little wet, but the lights look good. I still need to get a couple more strands to do one more length of the house.

This is a shot of another of my favorite traditions.

The kids hang ornaments on their ears while decorating.

I love this time of year. I love the Christmas decorations and lights, the traditions, the tree, the manger scenes, the music, the food, the secrets, the excitement – ALL OF IT! Most of all I love the great gift that God gave to us with the birth, life, atonement, death and resurrection of his glorious son, Jesus Christ. I know he is my Savior. I am so thankful for this marvelous gift in my life. It is, indeed, the greatest gift of all!

Who said parting is such sweet sorrow? They never had to leave a new grand child behind!

It was so hard to leave Katie & Ryan, Julie, Savannah, Cooper, and sweet Baby Luka. But I do get to go back on the 29th of December! I had such a wonderful time helping with our new baby. He is so precious. There is nothing like a new baby. I so enjoyed watching Savannah and Cooper as they became acquainted with their new brother. They were so sweet and tender. And protective. They listened to Katie as she explained about his soft spot, as she told them about his bottle and how to feed him, and how to support his back when they held him. They were grossed out by the yucky, dried out umbilical cord, but they were a very captive and attentive audience. They each stroked his cheeks and hair, handled his little hands and feet, and were enchanted by his sweet demeanor.

It was great to see how Ryan never left Katie’s

side as she spent extra days in the hospital.

They are an amazing couple.

I was so glad that I could stay with the other kids while they were in the hospital. We got to read a few stories and play LOTS of Bingo. Just let me tell you, Cooper LOVES to play Bingo. I loved making our special treats with Cooper, and coloring with Savannah. We had such a great time making our gingerbread house, too.

Julie has always loved the babies

and she is very much in love with this little guy.

It was fun to see her hold him, and cuddle and love him.

Ava was visiting her dad in CA, so we really missed her!

Even though I was so sad to go, I was homesick for my family at home. I really missed Rod, Becca and Nick while I was gone. It was quite an extended visit. Thankfully it was during a holiday, so I did not have to use vacation days for the whole visit. The day I had to leave, the tears started. Katie told me she was sad to see me go. And as they say in Steel Magnolias “I have a strict rule that no one cries alone in my presence.” So of course I shed a tear or two also. Now it is back to the normal old grindstone. But life is good and I must say that I am so happy!