My Word for 2013

It's hard to believe that 2012 has come to end.  So much happened that tested my Faith, my word for 2012. I saw miracles happen, and had to rely on faith to get through at other times.  I saw what the faith of hundreds could do when they joined together in prayer for a little boy named Zavier, who was cured of cancer.  Praise God!  I saw what faith could do when my Mother, who went through several surgeries, mostly major, came through though the odds were against her.  Faith saw me through personal experiences where I thought I had no hope.  It has been a year of blessings, and triumphs, answered prayers, though some not the way I wanted.  Faith. It seems it was the perfect choice in words. 
So now, with the new year upon us, I have chosen a new word to lead me through the next 12 months. And the word is FORGIVENESS.  There are so many times that past hurts literally want to eat me alive. And though I say in my heart I Forgive, letting go and truly feeling that forgiveness in my soul is difficult.  So this is what I will be working on this year.  Have you chosen a word for the new year?  If so, what would it be?

Christmas Eve Eve

Greetings to all of you! 

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas,

I have to say, this one was the best ever.

On Christmas Eve Eve, as we call it,

our family gets together at Wendy's house

for the pre-Christmas celebration.  

The work she puts into this, and the traditions

that have been created over the years,

make this such a special evening.

My grand niece celebrated her first Christmas, with Mom Rachel!

My triplet grand nephews, now 10, joined in the picture of my

nephew Dave and Preston.

It was such a special surprise when my cousin Carol, whom I haven't seen in several years,

came in with her awesome fiance' Tim!

And my nephew Jeff, whom I haven't seen in forever!, showed up with my sister Kathy!!

My Grand daughters, Tara and Kiley, were adored by my nieces, Jenna, Claire, and Kayla.

My sister Wendy puts so much into this evening, and one of the crafts she gave the kids

was a Nativity sticker page. I helped Jenna put hers together.

I love this picture!!  Wendy's kitten was in the back room, 

and came up to the door. Kayla

played with her through the window.

I was really unhappy when it came time to take the family 

pictures, my camera battery went dead!

But all in all, this Christmas was fantastic.

I hope yours was as special!

Merry Christmas!

To all of you!

Marwood Bags

It's hard to believe it's been a year already since we did the Christmas bags for the nursing home. Because the weather was so bad today, Ken and I did them up, I didn't want anyone out in this.
But we did it, and here are 40 bags ready for delivery tomorrow morning, with little stuffed Teddy's peeking out!  I know it seems odd, (the bears) but the residents really love to receive them.

Owl and Cat Are Still Best Friends (2012)

Owl and Cat Are Still Best Friends (2012)

I think we all need a smile and an awwwwww moment.  This fits the bill, enjoy!

My Prayer

 My niece Jenna, 5, in kindergarten.

My niece Kayla, 8, in second grade.

My prayer for all mothers today:

That you hold your children closer,

that they never leave your door

without a hug and being told

you love them,

when they come home, 

that you welcome them
with open arms.

Talk kindly,

love deeply,

and never let them fall asleep

without knowing they

are truly loved.

And with their bedtime prayers,

that they know God.

And to all mothers everywhere,

God Bless You.

Today my heart is so heavy with the tragedy in Connecticut. I urge all of you to please pray for the families, children, administrators and officials who are so traumatized by the events.  I pray the white light of the Holy Spirit wrap them in His love, and peace. 

Christmas

I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted. 

It's been a very busy time, preparing for Christmas!

I also can't believe this Santa mug is fifty years old! 

I received this at a friends birthday party when I was 8.

It was brought out every year at Christmas,

and after Mom moved, it came home with me.

My little white tree was redone this year with all new lights, 

and set up with my nativity set.

I've always wanted a ceramic Christmas tree, 

they bring back childhood memories.

So when I found this one at our yearly

Pawzaar for five dollars, it had no choice

but to come home with me. 

I ordered up the lights, Ken got the angel,

and it looks so pretty! Now to find its spot

and enjoy!

Back now to catch up with all of you

my dear blog friends.

Chillin'

 Andy and Tyler warming on the receiver, their favorite spot.

Just relaxing with my boys!

A New Tradition

Today was the first of many sister and friends get together to create ginger bread houses. Wendy spent several days baking the parts, and then we gathered to put our creations together.  

We started with a table full of candies and treats. Everyone contributed, and when layed out,

 it was quite the spread. Wendy spent hours making the house walls and roofs.
We all had the same pattern.  It was so fun to see
each persons individual interpretation of there house.

We all worked diligently for several hours. Rachel and her and ours family friend Ariel were very engrossed in the project. (Congratulations Ariel on graduating with your Bachelor's!)

Nancy moved right along with hers, being the
first to finish!

My sister Kathy, works on the roof of hers. I'll get a finished
picture of her when she has it set up at home!

Nancy's completed!  Isn't that the cutest?  She even used

cotton for smoke coming out of the chimney.

Sister Wendy, made this white an blue masterpiece! 

The details are amazing!!

This is Rachel's finished Candy Land theme. Adorable!

I thinks she nailed it!!

Ariel, who worked the longest, came up with

this masterpiece!  We were all amazed,

as she kept adding more detail, I mean look at the roof,

and the adorable little mailbox!

And this is mine. I melted down hard candies for the widows, which

really light up when a battery candle is 

placed inside. Wendy and Ariel also put the windows

in theirs. 

I think, for being the first time we have done this,

they all turned out fantastic!

We have decided this will be a yearly tradition.