I'll Be Home for Christmas...

I took lots of pictures Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the new camera Ana Maria gave me. But I accidentally deleted them because I "reformatted" the camera disk.. :-( We had Nicole and Brian, Natalie and Judson, and Meredith over to open presents on Christmas Eve. It was great having our children here for Christmas! Nicole and Brian live in Wilmington, Natalie and Judson live in Cary, and Meredith lives in Greenville, so it was a real treat having everyone together for Christmas! There was so much laughter and happiness, I didn't want it to end. I'm disappointed that I lost the pics from this day.

About 5pm Ana left for Kid's Mass to help lead the singing. Meredith, Natalie and Judson left; and then a little later, Nicole and Brian left.

Later in the evening after Ana returned from church, we turned down all the lights except for the lights on our small tree and the lights around the fireplace. The house was so quiet, especially after all the joyful noice we enjoyed earlier. I can't remember the last time I spent Christmas Eve at home, not attending some family party. I guess I was feeling a bit meloncholic.. But it was a peaceful Christmas Eve, sitting on our couch while listening to the new cd Ana gave me for Christmas - "Wintersong" by Sarah MacLachan. We decided to open the rest of our presents to each other. Ana also gave me a couple of Christian books! I almost cried when I received the books! I rejoice whenever I have apportunity to grow spiritually - to learn more about our Saviour. You know, if only I hadn't wasted so many years living for me. But how good our Lord is! He is loving, forgiving. My remaining days, Lord, are yours to do as you will with me. My greatest joy now is to be in fellowship with Him.

On Christmas Day we went to Christmas Day Mass at Infant of Prague and enjoyed a beautiful service. Our choir enjoyed singing carols for about 45 minutes leading up to the beginning of the Mass. It was so nice that Nicole and Brian were able to make the service. I believe this Christmas service was the hi-light of Ana's Christmas! I was glad we were in church on Christmas Day.

Afterwards we went to Mom and Dad's for some food and fellowship. We got there kinda late, so most of my family had already gone home. That was disppointing; but we did have a nice visit with Mom and Dad, my sister, neices and my grandmother.

Well, I hope everyone had as nice a Christmas as we did. Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings! and Lord Jesus, Happy Birthday.

A Birthday Party...!

Last Saturday evening, December 23, we celebrated Natalie's birthday! This was truly a wonderful blessing because we had all our daughters together at one time for a night of food and celebration! Nicole is pictured here with her new husband, Brian; Meredith, with her boyfriend, Bert; and Natalie is pictured with her finance', Judson. We had a grand time - enjoying delicious Thai food at "The Old Siam", a new Thai resturant in Jacksonville. Eddie, the owner and chief chef, came out and gave all the ladies gifts and furnished a birthday cake for the occasion! I found out that I'm not the only one among this group who likes HOT Thai food - Judson enjoyed a dish of noodles that was hotter than my maitai dish! He's got a good stomach :-) I thank God for moments like this.

Ringing the Bell...

We've had a busy, but joyous Christmas season! We had opportunity to "ring the bell" for the Salvation Army on several occasions. We decided to dress up, representing the days of Currier and Ives - including singing Christmas carols. As a matter of fact, the Salvation Army was organized in 1865 in London, England. So we fit right in with the spirit of Christmas past :-)

That Nice Fall Day...

November 11 was a particularly nice day- we enjoyed a nice covered dish get together at Mom and Dad's this afternoon. We enjoyed all the delicious grilled chicken Dad prepared, and we enjoyed a time of pick'n and grinnin' :-) Dad has a mandolin that he's been practicing on. We make pretty good music together I think. Ana, my sisters and mom joined in on a couple songs too, including "I Saw The Light" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas!" :-)

One Fall Morning...

I woke up one Fall morning in November and went into our upstairs studio where Ana was already busy at her desk. The view from the window was so nice - beautiful fall foliage! And our little stained glass trinket illuminated so nicely! I really love the Fall- I wish it lasted about six months out of the year..