Boy, I am way behind on updating my blog. But since I just sent out Christmas Cards to family and friends with reference to this site for updates on our family, I thought I had better get busy and update. I may even have a few pictures to add. The challenge this week at STM was to talk about how I I show my family and friends that I love them, other than my scrapbooking, check it out... http://www.scrapthatmoment.com/boards/showthread.php?t=7416. Well, to begin with, my scrapping is my major show of love toward my family. I want this to be a legacy for them and their children. I also attend everything that my children are involved in. Here is a picture of this year's Christmas band concert with my little (or should I say, taller than mom, Jordan 5-7, Ryan 6-3). http://www.scrapthatmoment.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11313&password=&sort=2&size=medium&cat=500&page=1
Sometimes I have had to miss a game or concert for work related reasons or illness, but those are few and far between. I love spending time with my family and always tell them how much I love them. Here is a fun picture of Ryan and Jordan, being silly for me when I was trying to take a serious picture...http://www.scrapthatmoment.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11275&password=&sort=2&size=medium&cat=500&page=1 (PS Ryan just got his braces off yesterday and is now wearing contacts).
I also feel the urge to make handmade cards for a special treat to mail out to family and friends. They can be viewed at my gallery on ScrapThatMoment.com. Here is the link to my Gallery...
http://www.scrapthatmoment.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&page=1&sort=2&perpage=15&ppuser=228 Please check back for periodic updates to my gallery, it is always changing.
At this time of year, I try to do some extra special things like our gingerbread house party for the boys, my nephews and special friends. Here is a wonderful picture of our gingerbread village this year taken by Lynette or Juli (I can't remember who actually took it with Juli's camera)...
http://www.scrapthatmoment.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11252&password=&sort=1&cat=last14&page=5
We still have some cookie baking to complete this week with our special Mexican Wedding Cakes, Peanut Blossoms and decorated sugar cookies, plus maybe a few loaves of cranberry nut bread and orange rum nut bread.
We usually go to Dry Gulch, USA, our church run camp, to attend the Christmas Train but they have closed down this year for improvements to the camp and get ready for their 10 year anniversary celebration next Christmas.http://www.christmastrain.com/christmastrain/
Traditions are a big part of our family love and life, as we look forward to a wonderful Christmas day spent at my parents home with my family, my sister and her family, my parents, my Aunt Dorothy and a wonderful friend, Lynette and her children. At last count that is 18 that I am aware of. Should be just a little bit of heaven in a whole lot of chaos! Unfortunately, Steven will be the one missing again this year. Last year he spent Christmas as an active duty soldier on the front lines of Iraq. This year he will be working at Home Depot with only 2 days off, in Tucson, Arizona, but will be spending Christmas with his dad's family in Tucson, so he won't be alone! Although we will miss him again terribly!
So as for showing love to my family and friends throughout the year, I think my greatest gift to them is to be supportive and always have a shoulder to cry on, be the biggest cheerleader during their accomplishments and if all else fails make cookies to comfort them!
Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!!!
No Happy Holidays from me, because my holiday is the celebration of "Christ" our King!
