The Joy of Friendship

I had planned to post this blog after I finished with our family Christmas get-togetherness, but I can't seem to find time to finish those. We are heading to Birmingham to move Caleb today, and then bringing the girls back for a few days. More on those things later!!

Over 20 years ago, Mrs. Myrtle Ruth Alexander got the group of "young women" together in our church and told us that it was time for us to form our own circle. That has proven to be one of the greatest decisions ever.  We are all quite a bit older now, and we probably won't be referred to as the "young women's circle" much longer.  However, I am sure that our times together will continue to be just as adventurous and just as special!  We are not very organized, we don't follow procedures very well, and since I took over the minutes, we are not sure of exactly what we do from meeting to meeting.  But, rest assured I think Jesus is happy with us.  We do love each other and our times together.  If you weren't here this year, you were missed!

We all bring our choice of appetizers or goodies!  It's always a wonderful selection!

After we eat, we have a devotion and prayer.  This is followed by a Dirty Santa ornament swap.  Lots of the ornaments on my tree have come from this event.  It's always lots of fun!  Jennifer was a little disappointed that she drew number one, but in the end she got to choose the last ornament this year!

It went something like this-Jennifer Morgan opened this cute snowman first, and then I stole it from her.

Catherine then stole it from me, but this look is because she knows she's not going to get to keep it long!

Someone stole Jennifer's ornament, and she swooped in at the end and got the snowman from Catherine!!

I love our group and our times together!

Merry Christmas!!

Round 2 - Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was very layed back this.  We began the morning with a quail breakfast, and then opened presents.  I actually really enjoyed the peacefulness of the morning and day, but I can't wait until the girls and Lindsey and Josh come back Friday for the Marine's Christmas this weekend.

As long as you leave cookies and milk, Santa will come! However, this year he must have heard that Caleb was moving to a new apartment in Birmingham.  He brought him a television for his bedroom, bedding, a new bed, rugs and kitchen utensils.  He also got a gorgeous new bed-more on that later. The days of ponies, dirt bikes, and go carts are over for him!!

His gifts were also a little different this year!  Cast iron skillets, baking pans, and such were sprinkled in with clothes and cologne.  Growing up is tough!

Reed is not pretending to be Ray Charles! He got new Costas, because he lost his recently.

Another highlight of the morning was our sweet call from Maddie.  According to  her, Santa brought her a huge, huge, huge, huge trampoline and lots of sparkly clothes! She was so very excited!  Merry Christmas!

Round 1-Christmas at Lindsey's

I love all the trimmings of Christmas-parties, decorating, cooking, cantatas, church services, friends, and even shopping.  But mostly, I love spending time with my family. Reed and I loaded up the sleigh (literally), picked up Uncle C and Taylor and headed east to spend the day with Lindsey, Josh and the girls.  They will be here right after Christmas, and we can't wait for that! 

Reed made Lindsey and Josh a beautiful entertainment center, and it was drizzling rain, so we piled everything in the trailer. 

 

 

This is the picture of the entertainment center.  I have requested one, too!  I'll keep you posted on that!

 

 



 



Maddie and Lillian enjoyed spending time with Uncle C and Taylor. 



 



Smiles, laughter, and simply being together

For the past several months, Maddie would consistently tell me she wanted something "rainbow sparkly" for Christmas.  That proved to be somewhat of a challenge, but I finally did find a few things to meet the request.  This tutu, wings and wand were part of her rainbow collection.

I included pictures of the stompeez (from Uncle C) and the glow pet, because 15-20 years from now I hope Maddie will remember saying, "I've dreamed every night about getting these!" 

Lillian enjoyed her presents too!  And, she helped everyone open their gifts!

Maddie picked out this hat for Pop, and Lillian helped him try it on.

After a couple of quick lessons from her dad and Maddie, Lillian was zooming on her Minnie Mouse car.

More memories of the day! We enjoyed a delicious meal, opened wonderful presents, but most of all we just enjoyed being together. Josh was quite the trooper, because he has been under the weather for a few days. Taylor won the prize when she hopped up and started washing dishes!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

The Magic of Christmas

For the second year, the employees of the Federal Prison in Aliceville provided every child (around 350) in our school with presents for Christmas.  This is such a selfless act of love that provides more joy to our students than I can put into words.  Have you ever seen a child cry for joy over opening a package with several pairs of shoes?   It tugs at your heart!  The students each write a list of three items they would like, and it is wonderful to watch each child's wishes come true.  I also noticed that the smiles on the workers faces and the faces of our staff were almost as bright as those of our students.  We were all blessed!

This picture is of the wonderful prison staff and some of our teachers

The Warden called each child's name individually to come up and receive their gift

Fox 6, WUVA, and WCBI were all on hand to cover this event.

Lisa and Danielle-two of my sweet coworkers

Scarlett requested this picture with the anchor from WCBI. I have to be honest-we don't get that channel, but she assured me that he's a legend.

Catherine and Phyllis-Catherine was instrumental in organizing this event for the prison.  We greatly appreciate her and all she does!

Below are just a few samples of the fun we had as we watched and helped the kids open their gifts!

The Warden runs a well-organized, tight ship!! Each bag is labeled with the student's name and each gift is passed down the line until it reaches the Warden.  She then calls out the child's name to come and receive their gift.

Thanks to all of you for making Christmas much brighter for each of our students!

This is just part of the many, many gifts that were provided to our students! Dolls, remote control cars, bicycles, clothes, and shoes were just a few things among all the gifts!

Merry Christmas!!

Fun at Nana and Pops

We had another wonderful weekend with our girls!  I don't have pictures of it, but Maddie and Reed went to Christmas Comes Alive.  Maddie loved it, but she said it "freaked her out" that so many of her cousins were in it! She first saw Anna as an angel and wasn't expecting it.  I had prepared her to see Aunt Sandra and Uncle Tony, but I forgot about all the cousins having a part.

Another little photo shoot

Maddie helped Pop decorate the tree outside.  I was a little skeptical but it's really pretty at night.  Also, Lillian loves to read books, and we all enjoy Papa's visits.

Uncle C is the BEST playmate ever!

Making cookies!

Little Bit enjoyed eating the cookies.  She also stuffed the end of my phone full of cookie dough, and now it only works on speaker! 

 There are lots of great things to be said about living in a small town.  At 9:55 I remembered that the Christmas Parade was at 10:00.  We threw (literally) the girls in the car and headed downtown just as the parade was starting.  Uncle Clyde's antique fire truck was carrying a group of cheerleaders and Maddie hopped on and got to ride in the parade!  She was so excited.  Little Bit ended up in the car with me.  She didn't like Santa, the fire truck, the bands, or anything about the parade.  Maybe next year!!

Merry Christmas!!

Winter Wonderland

Pop and I recently traveled to the North Pole, and enjoyed a wonderful morning with Maddie's preschool.  Everyone puts on their pj's and sings their hearts out! I am really going to miss watching her perform here when she starts "Big School" next year.  However, we will still have Little Bit and our Bonus Baby to watch over the next few years, and I can't wait to continue to watch Maddie grow and blossom! I love everything about Christmas, but I am learning that experiencing Christmas with your grandchildren makes it extra special!

 

 

The four year olds began the day with a precious presentation of Christmas songs. 

 

 



 

After they shared their songs, they broke into classes and went to different stations.  One station was  the nativity scene where they listened to the Christmas story. 

I love getting to know some of Maddie's sweet friends. Lillian is always a big hit with her friends.

Each class got two turns at the train station.  This was lots and lots of fun!

Little Bit was always close by enjoying herself.

 Santa is just not Lillian's favorite!  I know it's wrong but these pictures of her just tickled me! Bless her!  Maddie was so very patient with her, and tried to encourage her.  Lillian wanted no part of it though.

 

This was either Maddie's third or fourth time to chat with Santa this year.  She added a couple of things to her list this time though.

Maddie's sweet class

 

Enjoying cookies and milk with friends

 

 

There was also a snow room, where you basically went in and rolled around in "snow".  Lindsey tried to talk Maddie into this, but she decided it just wasn't for her.

 

 

 

 Lillian enjoyed waving to Maddie on the train, but she wouldn't consider riding on it.

 



 

After one final train ride, we loaded the girls up and headed back west for the weekend.