Christmas 2009

What a blessed time we've had this Christmas. The snow delayed the arrival of all my children but they made it safely home. R's flight was rescheduled for Christmas Day and C didn't drive in til Christmas morning. B was on the road at least 8 hours Thursday. But they all have until Wednesday so we're sooo enjoying these days. We've had wonderful food, enjoyed some games, visited with other family, worshipped together, watched movies, heard about R's trip to China, and have plans to see Aubrey play basketball, see Casey video Granddaddy recounting his War experiences, maybe seeing a movie in Abilene, and visiting with each other more before all return to their work and lives away from our home. God is so good to us all. His love is overwhelming.
Wasn't the snow beautiful? I heard one weatherman say this was the fist time he announced a blizzard warning. B said that a blizzard was when you had to tie yourself around the waist with a rope in order to walk to the barn to feed the animals or to force them to run around the lot during the night to prevent them from freezing to death. ...at least according to Little House On The Prairie. I don't know about that, but it was cold and the snow was blowing.
The snow did reduce the number of the extended family at our annual Christmas Tree but some of us did gather and visit.
I may very well live in this house the rest of my life. Then again, I may not. We have loved living here. We did most of the remodeling ourselves and there are probably pieces of Brian's skin hanging in the walls of this house. It was hard but rewarding. We learned a lot in the process. The thought of a possible move intensified the pleasure of being together again with our children who grew up in this house. I decided to get out all my Christmas decorations and I never enjoyed a holiday more than this one. So, I took lots of pictures. These may interest no one else but I wanted to have a record of this happy home and this happy time. It is also a safety precaution t keep pictures on a site such as Picasa. You may view some pictures of our extended family celebration as well as my own family activities at the Picasa Web Album site. I pray that your days are joyful. I pray that we all will draw near to our Saviour this new year. He is able. These difficult times are no surprise to Him and He will meet all needs. Our greatest need is to experience and share His love with a hurting world. God bless you with His purpose in 2010. Love, Jennifer.

December 9th

This is a December that will be remembered for many reasons. While it has already been festive, the house is decorated for celebrating, and candles named "Home For Christmas" or "Heart at Home" fill the air with rich fragrance, there is also a tinge of sadness lingering. I've been packing my folk's belongings, readying them to be moved into one of our apartments next door. I've gone through drawers that contain momentos from my childhood, a box holding my dad's WWII "dog" tags, special dishes my Grandmother had, baby dresses my mother made for her two very loved girls, and many other objects evoking visions of my wonderful life with my parents. I am so blessed to still have them. Daddy is nearly 86 and Mama is 84. He is nearly totally deaf and seems to be getting more feeble. She is legally blind and crippled from a broken hip. They want to help with the packing but can't. They sit and watch as we disassemble their home. Once as I was in the other room, I heard my mother beginning to sob. Daddy slowly stood up from his chair, bent down to hug her and said, "Everything will be alright." They were active for so long, slowed some when each had a leg broken in a car wreck about 9 years ago. But they've been most independent. And they've been devoted parents and grandparents to my sister and myself and our families. It is an emotional time, probably the most challenging season of their lives.
Looking ahead, I believe it will be a good move. I will be just out the door and down a sidewalk. We will have an intercom or some system for communicating easily. I look forward to having meals with them and having them come down to watch a movie or visit. It's not as though they've been a great distance from me but this will be very close. I pray that the days we have will be very happy with laugher and good times together. They have given us so much love and I am thankful we are able to make this time as enjoyable and happy as it can be.
When we get their things moved into their apartment, I will post pictures.

Thanksgiving '09

We had a wonderful time during Thanksgiving weekend. Casey and Bree arrived on Wed evening and it was so goooood for them to be home. We missed Ryan who had a birthday during these holidays. We called and heard about his holiday and all that has been going on with him but wish he had been home. On Thanksgiving Day, Kim's family and my folks came over for lunch. WE all cooked too much and consumed too much. Brian's nephew and wife came from Dallas to visit that evening after her family get together in Abilene. They married in '07 and he has been in Iraq for a year so we were all so thankful to have them with us.
After lunch, some had naps and some watched football. Cash persuaded the "guys" yo play Legos with him.
How blessed we are. No one in the history of the world has as much to be grateful for as we. Just think how few have been in the position we find ourselves today. Most of the people who have lived would never have conceived of the conveniences or freedoms we enjoy. God has been so good to us. And we should be preserving these blessings for our children and grandchildren. Lord, open our eyes to the dangers and to the responsibilities and grant that we receive wisdom and courage for action from You.
Here are a few pictures from the album at the Picasa site.

More Puppy Pictures

Pie Season

Hooray! It is definitely the season for pies. Tomorrow is the second Monday of the month which means it is my turn to cook and help with the Cornerstone & Company meal. So, I made a pumpkin and 2 1/2 chocolate pies. The half is the one in the bread pyrex which will be halfed between my folks and my spouse and myself, provided he gets home pretty soon. I enjoy cooking for Thanksgiving and am excited that we'll have nephews and families, along with two of my offspring, with us for Thanksgiving. One will be working, as well as celebrating his birthday during the Thanksgiving week and we will miss him. I think it's a good idea to practice cooking so, pies it is!

Puppies Are Growing...

As you can see, the labs and the terriers are growing. Thirteen of the sixteen labs have survived and all five terriers. You better call Kim to put your order in before they are all gone. haha

Pretty Roses

Brian has kept a blue vase on my cabinet filled with beautiful pink rose these last three weeks. They've been extra pretty lately.
When he brings them in, they're just a small bud but in a few days they've opened wide.

Brian and I enjoyed spending time with his sister, Linda, and brother, Jonathan, and families Saturday in Dallas. Linda and Elias are with the Southern Baptists and live in London so we don't get to see them often. Casey spent the first semester of his freshman year with them when they lived on the island of Cypress. And Bree lived with them in London after she graduated from A&M and wanted to travel before working for ADM.
Their sons now live in Dallas so our Casey and Bree get to socialize with these cousins. Nathan (same age as Casey) works for Southwest Airlines and I don't know the title but he is a computer person. He is dating Lauren. Michael (same age as Bree) is a mechanical engineer and married another Lauren in the summer of '07. He recently returned from a year in Iraq. Brian's brother and his wife, Jonathan and Robin, live in Ballinger where Jonathan teaches school and Robin is the Runnels County Tax Accessor Collector. Their new granddaughter, Harlee, entertained us all. She is only 4 months old so she didn't have to try very hard to get lots of attention. She is beautiful. Her mother, Samantha, is a coach and teacher in Hermleigh. We missed Ryan who arrived back in the good ole USA that afternoon and Zach, son of Jonathan andRobin, who had previous social plans. We visited and enjoyed dinner together. Brian attended a weekend conference at Southwestern Seminary and joined us later on Saturday evening. I
posted pictures in the Picasa Album.