Singing out loud, Amazing Grace...

It was hard to get moving yesterday but I made it to Church.  We sang and sang and sang, Amazing Grace is one of my FAVORITES!  I enjoyed the service SO much and left there to visit my Sister Brenda in the hospital.  We had prayed for her at Church and she was much better when I got there, "Thank you Lord"!  She has had a terrible year and just can't catch a break.  Please pray that 2020 will be a year of good health for ALL OF US!

I am prepping for the New Year with more Christmas get-togethers and closing out 2019.  I pray you all have a wonderfully blessed day and days ahead.  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

What day is it...

Isn't this the truth?  Especially the unsure of the day of the week:)  That time between Christmas and New Year's is a bit confusing!  

I am having my morning coffee and checking the calendar:)  It says that it is Dec. 28th.  Not many more days in 2019.  I hope you all are recovering from all of the excitement of Christmas and getting some much needed rest.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Christmas day recap...

Christmas morning, breakfast cooked, our sleigh was loaded and off we go...

Brooklyn stayed asleep until we got there and she had a wonderful time opening her gifts!

Alex and Avery loved their presents and they love each other.

L-2018/R-2019

Family top 2018/bottom 2019  Seth is deployed this year but video chatted with us to see Brooklyn open her gifts.  Prayers for your safe return Seth, we all love you and missed you this Christmas!

Brooklyn checking out her loot:)

Nana and Brooklyn!

B and Ganky saying CHEESE:)

I am enjoying this morning after Christmas with hot coffee in my new cup, snuggled in with my new cozy robe!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

We celebrated and catching up...

We celebrated Austin's 21st birthday with the meal of his choice and stayed in on a cold rainy night.  We sang!  It was a wonderful time together.

Time to open the gifts and Brooklyn was happy to help:)

I always give him his favorite snacks:)

Brooklyn took her little shoes to Alex and sat down.  She loves these shoes:)

And even though she had her jammies on, here she is with those shoes and one of Austin's gift bags!  This girl melts my heart.

Alex and Avery, SO sweet and pretty!  Love these girlies!

This picture was a few days ago when Autumn and Brooklyn came for a visit!  B loves that I sit in the floor with her:)  She and Pa having a little chat with Elmo!

I bought this little reindeer "Clarice" and Brooklyn really doesn't like her:)  We managed to catch a picture of her before she threw her in the floor:)

It's time for a little rest to get ready for Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and sadly our big Family gathering had to be canceled due to lots of sick folks!  Every time I start getting sad about that, I remember that it is for the right reasons.  We will pick it up again next year and hopefully there won't be any sickness/surgeries/accidents!  I hope you all have a wonderful time together with Family and Friends!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Happy 21st B'day Austin...

Happy 21st birthday to my Grandson Austin!  This picture was taken recently with Brooklyn giving him a hug:)  They have their own thing, head-shaking and arm dancing.  So SWEET!

My collage of some of my favorite pictures!  The years have flown right by, I wish time would slow down!

Austin and his girl Lexi!  They have been together for many years, she loves him and he loves her!

Halloween Trick or Treating because I loved this picture:) 

This song ALWAYS makes me think of Austin.  HUMBLE AND KIND!  He is both of these and so much more.  I love you Austin and hope you have a wonderful day!

Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!  Autumn and Brooklyn visited yesterday, Post coming soon:)  HUGS!

The little tin and a wrap...

It wouldn't be Christmas without one of these tins full of yumminess.  My Daddy loved them and so do I:)

On the inside... stuffed with a variety of sweetness and yes I ate a couple:)

This is how I spent my day yesterday.  It looks pretty chaotic but there is a system.  My rolling wagon and the rolling wrapping paper holder (really a rolling hamper) sit right there with me.  Everything is in reach and it makes the job go a little easier.  So, it is pretty much "a wrap" on the wrapping:)

Most of the gifts are wrapped, still a few for my after Christmas get-together... but for the most part done!  I ran out to the grocery store for a few things yesterday and today it is supposed to rain all day.  I won't be going to Church this morning but staying in and staying dry.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Certainly NOT what I had planned...

This is certainly NOT what I had planned for yesterday.  Autumn and Brooklyn were coming to spend the day with me and I woke up with a sore throat.  I had a feeling it was just sinus, but had to make sure.  After waiting two hours, my diagnosis was correct.  We rescheduled their visit for tomorrow.  I was disappointed that they didn't get to come, but will look forward to tomorrow.  You know what?  I didn't accomplish a thing ALL day, it is a good thing that my shopping and most of my wrapping was done:)

And in case you didn't know...

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

The days are clicking by...

The days are just clicking by, aren't they.  My little countdown snowman now says 7 days until Christmas.  Everyone is busy preparing for next week.  We had our annual physical yesterday and checked that off the list for 2019.  It went well and I even stopped to do a little last minute shopping for a few things.  Other than that, I am steady pecking away at my wrapping and making my list of groceries that we need.

Not much time to blog these days but wanted to say HI and hope you all are doing well.  The weather has been crazy, it was in the 60s earlier this week and now it is Winter again and feels more like Christmas weather!  I hope you all are enjoying your time with family and friends,  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

One of my favorite times...

My Brother Marshall's 76th birthday dinner is always one of my favorite times of the year.  Last night we gathered, had great food and lots of loving fellowship.  Some weren't there but those who were able to attend enjoyed it so much.  Thank you to Kelly, Crystal and Suzanne for another wonderful time.

Now it's Sunday, December 15th... 10 days til Christmas!  Are you ready?  I have one more package to arrive and otherwise, just wrapping to do:)  Have a blessed day dear friend, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

As is tradition...

As is tradition, we shopped and had lunch for Tracy's birthday.  Derek joined us this year too.  Brooklyn enjoyed herself and entertained us all:)  We settled back in at home to a cozy fire and some great football on TV.  My Great-nephew Eli was playing in the state football championship AND WON!  We had a great dinner and some cake.  Of course all four kids gathered around their Mama to sing "Happy Birthday"!  
It was a great day!

Marc and I drove home in pounding rain!  It was a miserable day weather-wise but a great day in every other way!  I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

A special day for sure...

Happy 46th Birthday to my Daughter, My BFF!  On the day that you were born, I was given the biggest blessing to last a lifetime.  I love you Tracy forever and hope you have a wonderful day!

It is also my Brother Marshall's 76th Birthday!  I love you Marshall and can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!

Have a blessed day dear friends!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Remember to enjoy the meaning...

I am trying really hard to do this!  Most of my shopping has been done on-line, I am stream-lining the wrapping and getting the cards in the mail today.  As I flipped the countdown to 13 this morning, it felt pretty good to have accomplished a lot, not done but close.  Yesterday was my sorting and wrapping day:)  I am just popping in to say HI and hoping your days are filled with love.

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Countdown...

Just in case you didn't know, 15 days until Christmas:)  I am having trouble finding the time to sit down at the computer to blog but wanted to pop in and say HI.  This 'ole lady is plugging away and getting prepared for the big day!  Thank you Lord for Amazon:)  

Yesterday my day was spent with my girls.  Brooklyn is so stinkin' cute and smart as a whip!  I get these snuggles when I can!  We got out, had some lunch and did a little shopping!  Her eyes really lit up when we were on the toy aisle:)  

I pray all of you are getting it all done and taking some time to remember what Christmas is really about.  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Santa says "Happy Saturday"...

This guy says "Happy Saturday"!  My Santa is really old and every year I am afraid he will stop working, but he keeps on keeping on:)  My Sister Barbara gave me this SO LONG ago that I can't remember how long he has been with me.  I love him!

I am trying to get ahead of the "last minute" hustle/bustle!  Time just seems to run out as Christmas quickly approaches.  I have been wrapping gifts and it feels good to have some gifts under the tree!  I pray you are all happy and healthy this morning!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Busy days...

Busy days for this "reindeer lady" but I wanted to pop in and say HI!  I had an early morning doctor appt yesterday so no blogging for me.  Most of my Christmas shopping has been done on-line and it works for me at this stage in my life.  BUT... I actually stopped at a couple stores on my way home looking for something for my Granddaughter.  What happened was, the buggy was full of more than I walked in for.  YEP, another reason to shop on-line. 

Today, I plan on sorting the gifts already purchased and perhaps wrapping a few.  Enjoy your day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Three friends and more lights...

Only three were at our Christmas luncheon but we enjoyed our time together.  We were in no rush and just sitting and chatting with old friends was perfect.  One of the ladies had put it on the wrong day on her calendar and two were not well.  We still had a good time, exchanged gifts and promised to do it again next year.  On the way home, I stopped in to visit my Sister Brenda and even worked in an afternoon nap:)

While I was inside cooking dinner last night, my sweet husband was outside putting the finishing touches on the outside lights.  I just had to go take a peek:)  This was how the house looked from the woods!  Just a few deer grazing:)

My little cottage out back is now glowing with Christmas lights, inside and out!

Even the front porch is looking festive!

I think it is time to drag out the wrapping paper to put some gifts under our tree!  I hope you all have a beautifully blessed day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Catching up with old friends...

This was my post from our Christmas lunch in 2018.  These are former co-workers and forever friends.  We will be meeting in this same little town and enjoying lunch, shopping and lots of catching up!  I look forward to this day every year.  We will be posing for a picture at some point today so I can share with you tomorrow:)

Family isn't always blood.  It's the people in your life who need you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who loves you no matter what.

Gotta get going!  Have a blessed day dear friends, HUGS and PRAYERS coming your way!

Just 23 days...

I missed Church yesterday and visited my Niece Kelly in the hospital.  She is on-the-mend and hopefully will be all better very soon.  Love you Kelly and continuing to pray for you!  Marc and I tackled the tree and a few of the decorations.  No gifts yet but I feel good that we got this much done.

These guys got to come out too:)  SO many of them, they won't fit on the landing anymore.  Thanks to my Sister Barbara for these sweet nutcrackers.  Several are waiting to have some parts glued on, I call it the nutcracker hospital:)

Anybody else feel a bit stressed that there are only this many days until Christmas?  It is gonna be a short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas for a few more years!  I will make it but it is a little bit of a short time to get it all done and see all the people you want to see.

SO... I am off here to get my gifts ready for my luncheon with friends tomorrow!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

It's a start...

It's a start!  This little fella is always the first decoration that I bring out:)  He doesn't have to spend the year in the attic like all of the other things because he is very delicate.  This snowman was given to me by my friend Marion.  We are former co-workers and forever friends.  She gave it to me, 20+ years ago.  I still love it and I will be seeing Marion this week when we have out Christmas luncheon!

This was a gift from Austin's Girlfriend Lexi and her family!  I added it to my kitchen table this year to enjoy!  The glow made the dinner table feel Christmasy!

We are going to get the tree down this afternoon, Marc promised:)  I pray you all have a wonderfully blessed Sunday!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!