I can't express the feelings that I have when my kids call me on the telephone, or stop by for an impromptu visit, or just come over to share a holiday meal.
Our time together was a bit late in the evening due to the fact that both of the girls had to work all day. (I give them a lot of credit for being able to stay up so late and still have sunny dispositions!) Our dinner was at 6 p.m. and consisted of a 12 pound glazed spiral cut ham, mashed potatos, apple sauce (which nobody brought to the table hahaaa!)corn, baked beans with onions, hot rolls with butter, and a refreshing beverage of choice. I had coffee while the rest had either root beer or Dr. Pepper or just plain old water. Jake said blessing (he's so good at this and I know that it is always sincere!) and afterwards we "dug in!" I have to admit, the ham was very tasty! The glaze was a bit different from my usual, but I didn't have any TANG drink mix to give it that orange bite! All in all I think dinner was great. ( I was hungry too and that always helps)
We finished dinner, sat around and talked for a little bit and then decided that it was time to pass out the presents!! It never fails to be everyone's favorite part of Christmas get togethers. We moved from the dining room into the formal living room and began our gift exchange. Mandy and Emily sat on the floor near me while Brian and Jake occupied the lazy boy recliners.
Brian was really tickled to be part of our Christmas gift exchange. Jake looked on with anticipation!
It was fun to open each present, but it was so much more fun for me to watch the girls exchange their gifts to one another with hopes that each would like the gift that they had just been given.
Mandy gave Emily 3 cute little snowman figurines. (Emily collected snowmen for Christmas last year but this year switched to Santa figurines! ....go figure!) Anyway...these were special snowmen made by Thomas Kincaid (don't know if that's how you spell his last name or not). The detail on each little snowman was incredible! I know that Emily loved them.
Emily gave Mandy her present and watched her open it up....it was this fantastic book on bed and breakfast places around the United States. Mandy and Alex have always dreamed of opening their own bed and breakfast someday and of course this is going to get the juices flowing again for them!
Emily gave me a wonderful book (how did she know this??)on great weekend getaways from Las Vegas!!! Before the gasoline prices went ballistic, I was out of town each week on my days off from the casino. (I'll tell you at another time just how much I abhor working in the casino!) So reading this book will have me heading out to parts known and unknown once again! To hell with the gasoline prices....I'm not getting any younger and by darn, I'm going to enjoy my life!
Ok...enough drama.
So...Mandy gave me a packagethat was small and squishy. I opened it to find slipper socks!! I swear thatBrian must have told her what I really wanted because she came through with flying colors. These socks are sooo soft. I will be wearing these to bed!! lol The colors are soft pastels. If you knew me, you'd know that I've never had anything that was very feminine. All during my marriage of 25 years, I wore sweatshirts, sweat pants, blue jeans and tee shirts. If I wore a dress it wasn't all that flattering as old photos show. So...these little pastel slipper socks were "VERY feminine" to me.
Oh...but that wasn't the best part! I told everyone that I wanted a sleepshirt for Christmas. But what I received is what you'll see in this picture of me here. Cool huh? Mandy gave me two nightshirts. But they weren't the usual kind that I would have received years ago. These were soft with pretty flowers on them and SATIN cuffs and collar! I honestly felt as though I was royalty! No, this isn't drama here....this is talking straight from the heart. I really felt as though I had "arrived!" Finally....at the age of 54!
Brian and Jake were busy talking to one another, sharing and laughing. Brian received wonderful Bible Study guides from Mandy and Alex. Jake received a mat to put under his sleeping bag when he goes camping. Of course we were all ready to pack up and go somewhere...but not until Jake is feeling better. He went to the doctor and found out that he has bronchitis! Get better Jake! Brian brought out his Southwest Indian flute and stand to show everyone and of course to show a few notes that he had practiced. (I must admit that this flute sounds really great!) Brian and Jake went outside to look through Brian's new binoculars but ended up taking out the telescope to look skyward! (These two have quite a bit in common!) I know that Brian enjoys Jake's company and conversation.
So...back to the girls...
Emily handed me a present that felt like a book....looked like one too! I opened it and it was so much more than a book! It was a leather bound gold edged journal for writing! And it had lines!!! I told Jake that I really don't like the journals that are just blank pages because I begin to doodle in them instead of writing. Haha! Anyway....this was a terrific gift and came at such a time in my life where I feel that I could write forever. (Must be a melancholy stage I'm going through?) I will begin to use this journal starting January of 2008~ perfect timing for so many new things that I will be doing.
I watched Mandy opening presents from Emily, and as usual, Emily finds the coolest little gifts to give! (I'm going to have her followed next year when she starts her Christmas shopping! haha) Mandy received these little figurines of the Holy Family! They are sooo darn cute. In one of the little figurine family, they all have the "Edward Scissor Hands" look. We got such a kick out of them! As much as I love to look at the Holy Family with respect...these gave me a little glimpse at the "fun and loving side" of the Holy Family.
Next Emily handed me a little gift too! I opened it up and it was the cutest Holy Family standing on top of a little block that reads: "JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON"
You know....I just couldn't agree more!! And as I close this little blog and begin another day, I ask that Heavenly Father watch over my children both near and far, protect them from harm, and give each of them the strength that they will need to face the challenges of the day! I always ask this in Jesus's holy name....Amen.
Until next blog....
Mama
1 comment:
The nightgown looks really nice on you!
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