Christmas 2019

Now that we retired and moved, we share holidays between children.  Thanksgiving was at home and this year for Christmas, we drove down to Plantation to stay with our son and his family.  Our daughter Debi and her family came as well as my mother-in-law and sister’s in laws.  Our son’s friend, Frank, also came.  We call him Uncle Frank and he is like one of the kids!

I couldn’t believe we were up before the children!

The morning was spent excitedly opening presents.  

The day before we came we opened presents with our grands at home.

One thing for sure....Christmas is truly a joy with children.  Oh just watching the happiness on the little ones faces makes your heart melt.

On this trip I discovered that our oldest grandchild, Alex who is 11, is now taller than his Grammy and oh...his deep voice!  No matter what, he still hugs and loves on me though.

I also got to spend a short time with my son from another mother....Jacomo Bairos who is the conductor of the Amarillo Orchestra and Nu Deco.  This boy has a special place in my heart.  Our daughter, Jessie says he is the favorite child!  Ha...not true but close.

Tomorrow we head further sough to Homestead where we will stay with our former neighbor.  I am excited to see my friends down south at least for a day.

Oh and the odd thing today?  This is the first holiday that I did not cook one item!!!  Our son made a wonderful pork and his wife and our daughter, Debi did the sides.  I did the dishes!  It was wonderful.

As I sit here tonight reflecting on the day, I am very thankful that we were able to gather and that my mother-in-law is still with us.  It is all about family folks and I hope you had yours with you.  During this Christmas week, reach out to someone who may be alone.  Tell them you care for them and are thinking of them.  It only takes a moment to make the world of difference.  YOU may be the shining star in their dark night.

Merry Christmas.  Here are a few pictures of our celebration.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our home.  A few weeks ago we went to the storage unit and brought home 13 bins of Christmas items.  Although we were here last year for Christmas, I still hadn't left my job in Homestead so we really did not decorate except for a small 3 foot tree on the table.  This year I spent the last week or so going through bins, seeing what I could still use and giving away what I couldn't.  It was a little sad but I am accepting it and now realize that when I repack the stuff this year, I will feel much better with several empty bins to be stored in the garage.  I am extremely happy with the way my kitchen cabinets came out after copying my daughter, Debi's idea.  As we have one big great room now, I think it pulled together pretty nicely.  Next year the one change will be the white refrigerator will no longer be in the dining room (it will be on our newly constructed patio) and our 7 foot rustic tree will be in its place.  Yes...I am truly beginning to feel the holidays coming.