12-12-12

Thinking of what might have been....

2 weeks

2 weeks, that is all that is left until Christmas. Really? 2 weeks? Of course it doesn't help that I lost over a week to Lupus...Guess I have to learn that when I go and play, I will have to pay.

 

But I really enjoyed my trip to Cincy and Waxahachie, so I guess being down for 10 days is just the price I will have to pay. It was worth it to see my sweet Eli, so many of my Waxahachie kids and their parents

And now I have 2 weeks to get ready for Christmas. Decorations are still in the attic, don't have a tree, still need to buy presents....how will it ever all get done? And what if it doesn't? The world won't end...

Unless you believe the Mayan calendar of course, in which case, it won't matter at all, will it?

So, today I am going to remember some past holidays.

Because sometimes, the past is so much more pleasant, than the present...

 

Alissa 1980

 

 I made these dresses, they wore them and still love me!

 

We had some really big trees!! Wish they were all here to help me decorate this year!

 



 

Thankful

What a week we had!

It started on Tuesday with a trip to Tulsa to see Ed's parents. Donald is doing pretty well physically, but unfortunately the memory and confusion issues are getting worse. But he seems happy and is adjusting to his new surroundings pretty well. Lovella is doing better as well, seems more rested and not quite so stressed.

Kaci met us in Glenpool and then we all headed to OKC where the cooking and baking commenced. At least that is what I did. Ed and Kaci painted her dining room while I cooked...and cooked... and cooked! It turned out to just be the three of us for dinner, my Dad decided not to come, but it was a very good meal and everyone left the table stuffed! We had dessert with Doug and his family later that evening. So good to spend some time with them all.

Friday was a shopping/travel day. Ed and Kaci were up at 0 dark thirty, I chose to sleep. They had Kaci's Christmas tree purchased and home before 7am! We were supposed to leave that morning to drive to Texas, but Ed decided to put Kaci's Christmas lights up for her, so I did some cleaning while he was on the roof.

And then it was off to Texas to see our sweet Oliver!! And of course I was so busy playing, I failed to take any pictures of him!! Bad Nonnie!

Saturday was a busy day, mani/pedi's with Alissa, Cindy and Mandy, lunch and then time to get ready for the wedding of two very special people. It was like a family reunion of sorts, with so many of my "kids" being there. I haven't had so many hugs, kisses and "where are the rice krispie treats" in years!! I did manage to get a couple of pics, but of course not as many as I would have liked. Here are a few...

 The Groom, one of my sweet boys

 A sweet kiss from my sweet boy!

 

 

The Bride and Groom's first dance

 



The wedding was just beautiful and I hated to leave. Who knows when I will get to see all these kids and their parents again?

Sunday was our last day with Alissa, Brek and sweet Oliver. We also were able to spend some time with Dr. and Mrs. Cope as well as Somer, Ryan and little Miles. And then it was time to make that long drive home...I think I cried all the way to Dallas...Thankfully I have my next trip planned to Boston already and that is what keeps me going.

This is my shopping/recuperating week, since next week I have to report for Federal Jury Duty in Ft. Smith. I have to be available for 60 days, but should only have to spend a week of actual duty. Bad news is I have to be there and ready to go by 8 am every day....Guess they didn't get the memo that I am not a morning person! I will have to leave the house by 7am to get there and find parking and still be on time...Did I mention I am NOT a morning person? I schedule all of my appointments for after 1pm. I don't do mornings people! And yes, as I type this at 11:44 am, I am still in my pj's.

 Don't judge me please...

Picture Perfect Post

All about pictures today. As a 35 year anniversary gift, the girls gave us the gift of photography. Here are a few of the pictures.

Enjoy!

New life

Yep, that's right, Eli is going to be a big brother!! A little sooner than his parents had planned, but aren't surprises wonderful?

So, come late March, early April we will add precious grandbaby number three to our family!

 This Nonnie is so very blessed.

Funafornia!

We did it!

We had our first family vacation with our daughters, sons-in-law and grandsons.

And it was a wonderful success. You know it has been a great vacation when after a week together, no one is ready to leave.

We swam, played in the ocean, built sand castles, had surfing lessons, flew kites, took family photos, went to the San Diego Zoo, celebrated birthdays, remembered my Mom on the ten year anniversary of her death and so much more.

We all want to go back to "Funafornia" as Oliver calls it.

And we will, that is for sure!!

Remembering

Today I am remembering....

And doing that brings feelings of joy and sorrow.

It helps to remember, but it sometimes hurts so very much.

Today I will focus on the joy and try to push the sorrow away a little.

God has given us a beautiful day to rejoice in and that is what I choose to do.

Today....