Christmas times two

 Happy new year everyone!! We are ready for a new year and ready for a fresh new start. I know it is after Christmas, but I wanted to fill you in on our Christmas, and let you know what's been going on! We started our annual traditions of baking, and shopping, along with several visits to some family members. We took a few our our Senior Adults for a fun night to the Billy Graham Library. It was so beautiful as always. Chris and I are enjoying working with these special people.

 outside at night, it is simply beautiful!

 me and the sweets in front of the big tree

the group we had that night, we stopped for a nice meal at Cracker Barrel

We decided as a family to celebrate Christmas a little different this year. I will be honest, I am not one for CHANGE, but we all decided we would do this at least this year. We celebrated at my niece, Corrie and her hubby, Kevin's NEW HOME. It was so beautiful and we are so PROUD of them. They are working on getting everything in it's place, decorating to their liking, and making this house a HOME. It was wonderful decorated for CHRISTMAS. We started out there on Christmas night but God had a plan. On the way there, my sister, Lorieann , suffered a light stroke. She, at one point, did not know who, or where she was, nor could she speak properly. This was a VERY SCARY TIME. It is one thing when you work around this ALL the time, but when it is YOUR SISTER, it is totally different. We had her rushed to the ER, where they did tests to determine what had happened. They determined she had a light stroke. Her blood pressure was elevated, and she was having a headache, trouble speaking, etc. Needless to say, that night was a CHRISTMAS in the books, and one we would never forget. We decided to go ahead and eat, but would try it again in a few weeks, eat again, and do our presents and such. It was such a wierd feelng... some of us there, others at the hospital. The LORD IS SO GOOD.      

Psalm 9:10King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
 We prayed together that night as a family that the Lord would watch after her, keep her fear under control, and would heal her according to HIS will.We knew HE had it under control, we just had to put our trust in Him.

 He made her better.

 

this is the next week!!! She is on the end!! NO MAJOR DAMAGE!!! PRAISE THE LORD!

We decided to try it again the very next week after she got out or the hospital! We had a hotdog supper along with some yummy desserts. It was so fun and such a blessing. It is a TRUE miracle !

 

 here is the second pic by the tree!

 it does not take much to entertain these two!

 yummy hotdogs with the trimmings!

 Pawpaw Hoot with Lil d

Lil d opening presents with her parents

 family photo...... Christmas x2

 Lil d got a bike from mimi.. mimi was so happy to give it ti her since she was not able to the first christmas!

my wonderful parents

Christmas 2016

christmas x1  lol

papa richard in his christmas pj's

madison and ben in their christmas pj's

a delicious eight layer caramel cake.. it was rich, but delicious!

So, you can see, our Family Christmas was a little different, but I am so glad God knows and sees what we don't and knows the very small details of our lives.. had we had our Christmas at my parent's home, we would have been further away from the local hospital, and that could have meant things could have gotten worse before my sis got to the hospital. Thank you Lord for knowing all things!

Psalm 9:9King James Version (KJV)

⁹ The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

CAME and WENT

I know it has been a while since I have posted on here. Alot has been going on in our lives. We feel like we are on a rushing roller coaster.... I can not believe that Christmas has came and went byebye!! We had a very full schedule during this holiday season. We had Thanksgiving, AND my sister had some surgery done. We got it all done and over with and the Doctor wanted her to still do some Chemo. She has had 2 treatments so far.. She has had some sickness with them, but overall, I think she is a real trooper. She is a STRONG AND CARING person and that makes her so special. I know like many, so many people ask why??? WHY NOW?? Her son is a senior in high school getting ready to go to college, her grandaughter is about to be a year old.. but she is a fighter. The Lord KNEW ALL about this long before she was ever born and knows the outcome of all.. She has made it through Christmas day without any sickness, and to me, that MADE my Christmas. If I did not get any thing else, that was all I needed... to God I give the praise. He answers prayer!!!
The new year is here and I cant wait to see what the LORD has in store for our family!!

Another thing that happened during the holiday season was our nephew, DEVIN, graduated from USMC boot camp. He recieved a special award as being the top shooter of his company,MIKE. We as a family loaded up and headed down to Parris Island to spend some days with him on base as he graduated!! It was so fun and full of emotion, excitement, and beamed with a lot of proudness!!! He was great, and the ceremony was great also.

We still hold our annual tradition at Christmas Time. We go somewhere special as a family, whether it be all or some of us, and go to eat a good meal, and then to a special Christmas outing. This year's choice was at a botanical garden with a display of their Christmas lights. It was very pretty. This year, it was my mama,sis, hubby, and me.

Another great thing that happened during this same week , was my niece, Corrie, got engaged!!! She has found who her soul loveth!!! They make a great couple and we look forward to this special time in their lives. It is so fun to see your ''kids'' grow up and reach that next step in their lives!! I have some pics of the ring, I will share later.
SO.. 2015 is almost here. I ask myself this question.... WHAT are you going to do differently in 2015 that you didn't do in 2014? One thing I will do is make BETTER choices. This includes Alot of different things. Another thing is have MORE sister time. I love my two sisters and NEVER want to take them for granted. Thirdly. I want to spend more time in devotion and less time on Facebook!! This is one thing I will definately do, because I am getting tired of all the drama.. I am getting too old for it...haha!! And, I am praying hard like never before for lost family members.. I know God has a plan and I can not wait to see what it is..  Until then, Chris and I are living EVERY second, still blessed. Happy New Year and may God richly overflow you with blessings in 2015.

We believe

 

gentle JESUS
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child.
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to thee.
Lamb of God, I look to thee,
Thou shalt my example be.
Thou art gentle, meek and mild,
Thou once was a little child.
Fain I would be as thou art,
Give me thy an obedient heart.
Thou art pitiful and kind,
Let me have thy loving mind.
Loving Jesus, little lamb,
In thy gracious hands I am,
Make me Savior what thou art,
Live thyself within my heart.

 

 

 

 

Christ came as a gentle, meek, and mild child. It is truly a miracle. I saw a sign in a nearby yard the other day. It Caught me a little by surprise. it said in big letters, ''WE BELIEVE''. You just looking at that would probably think they'' believe''

in Santa. Underneath the letters were a manger scene.. HOW PRECIOUS!! The thought started in my mind that urged this post.. Believing in MIRACLES.. Do you really believe in miracles?? I do. Miracles are performed everyday. They are all around us. Cancer survivors, recovered alcoholics, family members that have walked away from a wreck, etc. You understand what I mean.. Several Miracles were performed in the Bible , including  the feeding of the 5000, the Fourth Man in the Fire, the Parting of the Red sea,  Giving the sight to  blinded eyes, Calming the storm, with'' PEACE BE STILL''   But do you believe in the Miracle?? The miracle of Christ?  Life is full of miracles, whether we believe it or not.  We need to receive miracles JOYFULLY.. happy to receive them in to our lives, as they happen. We need to be thankful for them as we receive them.

The greatest miracle is when GOD sent His Son for us. I am thankful for this. This miracle calms fears, dries tears, takes care of our every need. He is always near. He is there for us. We can pray to Him for guidance and strength to get us through. This also helps with  NEGATIVE things. Negative people, negative attitudes, negative family members, negative issues going on all around us.. I want to surround myself with positive things at Christmas time. The Miracle of His Birth is a joyous occasion.  Think of all the Miracles you have witnessed in our your own life, and accept the Greatest Miracle.

 

Christmas Time's A Coming

 I really can not believe that it is here again... it just seems like we just put away our Christmas décor from last year..... I love this time of year. It seems like I just posted yesterday on here of Christmas happenings from last year.

 We recently had a few days off to go camping in Charleston. My mama and sister were able to go with us. We had some great times. We took them downtown to the all the wonderful ''must sees'''and we went to a great holiday thing. It was the Holiday Festival of Lights. My mama had a ball.. mission accomplished.. We enjoyed the beautiful lights and had a great time camping. The weather was beautiful.. a whopping 75 degrees during the daytime.. We did not not even need a coat.. perfect weather.

 We enjoyed all the great food we had while we were there.

This was our tree from last year.. I have not got around to our tree yet for this year... I really wish I could snap my fingers and it would be put up.... I do not like to go through all the hassle of dragging totes down from the attic.... blah!!!  Anyway, Hope you take time out this season, to remember the true meaning of the season.. JESUS!! Thanks be to God for HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!!!

As Far As IT goes

GIFT GIVING, SHOPPING, DRIVING TO PARTIES, WRAPPING, BAKING, COOKING, EATING, TREE TRIMMING, STUFFING STOCKINGS...

 

this is IT for a lot of people.

 It is here already.. CHRISTMAS eve.. It seems we just put the tree back up in the attic.. from last year. I can not believe this year is already almost over. For many, it is all about the gifts, Santa, eating, Time with family they have not seen.etc.. They NEVER put CHRIST in Christmas. They want all for themselves.. or they think of just their four and no more.. Some celebrate the birth, (AND THEY SHOULD), BUT that is as far as it goes... HE was born.. Some still have HIM  in the manger... They don't take it any further. Christ came to be born to DIE!! Die for our sins.. He was wounded for OUR transgressions...  He was born to die upon Calvary. He died so we could live. This is the best  Christmas gift ever given.

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS!!

 

Christmas is a little more merrier this year. Chris'Grandmother went home to Heaven  saturday. She is with her Heavenly Father. He has made this a special Christmas for her, and she is having the best one ever with her Savior, Husband, and two of her children. Today, We will lay her body to rest, but she is with Jesus... Christmas in HEAVEN!!!

We wish everyone in our family, and our friends, and all of our ''blogger friends'' a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy NEW YEAR. Take time out to celebrate the true meaning of this season.  JESUS!! if you do, truely, it will be the best one you have ever had!!

keep it real

 it is truly hard to believe it is Christmas time again!!! to me, this year has been one of the fastest years yet... after february, it just absolutely flew by... Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year... People are usually in better moods, they tend to want to be more generous...they are more attentive to the needs of elderly.. i watch a show in the mornings here, it always has the 25 wishes of Christmas every year. this is 25 different wishes granted to a group of selected people.. One lady has got a set of bunk beds for her kids, one lady asked for a new fridge for her parents, one man asked for a recliner for his mom... ALL these wishes have been granted... I think this is a wonderful thing.

 MY hubby and me at Christmas last year

 

 

 

To some, this is as far as they go with Christmas, it's all about what they want or get... or really HOW MUCH they can get for themselves...  People need to go back to the true meaning of Christmas.. Christ has never left Christmas..yet, so many have left Him out.... they put other things in His place, when He should be first.. He is the true meaning, it is His birthday.. I am glad He did not stay in the manger. I am glad HE was born, and then died on Calvary for us to have eternal life.

Apple pie my aunt made last year for our family Christmas

 

we need to keep it real this Christmas... It is wonderful to do all the decorating, baking, eating, exchanging of gifts etc.. but keep the real meaning of Christmas alive... Make it REAL TO YOU...

 

Isaiah 7:14:9:6 For unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

BY HIM

What comfort by Him do we win

Who made Himself the price for sin

To make us heirs of glory?

To see this Babe all innocence,

A Martyr born in our defense:

Can man forget this story? - Ben Jonson

 

happy new year!!

hope everyone had a great CHRISTmas!! despite the visit of the stomach bug, our's was pretty good!!! we had a great time with both families, his and mine!! we got some things we needed, and some cash$$$$$, and that's always a great gift!!! my car died, a few days ago, and i got it fixed.. so glad it was fixable!!! the new year......hmmm.. hope it brings lots of good things and blessings!!!. Lord, you just keep on blessing me!!!! i have some picsf Christmas i will post soon!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Christmas Shopping and Such

it has been a rough few days here ......... i have been doing okay, just totally not into Christmas this year.. it really just does not seem like Christmas.... it feels like we just celebrated it.... the weather has been a lot warmer, and i have not been feeling 100 percent, and i miss my grandmother terribly.

my mother and i decided to do some much needed shopping yesterday.. i had not bought many Christmas presents, but decided i would go with my mother to try and get some more done.. i have most of it completed, with only a few more things to buy.. i want to say that i recieved a special ''unspoken'' unexpected blessing yesterday, and i was so happy.. God is good ,all the time!! i am looking forward to a few things this weekend,and upcoming week!! oh, and our brand new ''Cookout'' is open here in our town!!! so happy about that.. i love their milkshakes!! the caramel fudge is one of my favorites!! thanking God for his '' unspeakable Gift''!!

MAY YOUR SEASON BE MERRY AND BRIGHT!!!

Blessed

We celebrated Christmas with my family last night. We really are soooo blessed. we get so much, and much more than we deserve. It makes me so thankful, and yet, I still think of those who did not have hardly anything under the tree....

We were suppossed to celebrate tonight with Chris' side of the family. They were scheduled to come here to our home. The weather did not cooperate. We ended up with about 5 inches of snow. It was a first for me..to see a White Christmas.. It was so beautiful..Anyway, we are celebrating maybe in the next week....

We did not get to go to church today.. It seems so weird, not being there.. I miss it a lot. Ready for another week, and then ready for some rest... I hope everyone still has a great time being with their families, and have a fun time in this snow..

thank you JESUS for another CHRISTmas!YOU'VE been so good to us this year!!

You've made burdens lighter, and dark days brighter, and thanks for lovedones we hold dear.

thank you JESUS for another CHRISTmas! let's love each other more next year, may your days be merry and bright!making CHRIST YOUR SAVIOUR AS YOUR LIGHT!!

It has been a busy week so far.. we have been scurrying around buying those last minute gifts. we have had a great time seeing family, baking with my sisters and mama, and we had our Church CHRISTmas party last night. it was the last time in the ''old'' fellowship building. We will be moving into the new fellowship building this upcoming year. These next few days are going to be busy, but take time out to thank the LORD for all HE has done for you this year. many of us have lost loved ones this past year. it has been tough. We are so blessed with what we have and what the LORD has done for us.!!

CHRISTMAS RUSH

the Christmas rush is here...we have been really busy trying to work, and get all the shopping done.. i still have baking to do with my family, and wonder when I am going to finish my last few gifts to buy.. WHEW!! i AM READY FOR A BREAK.. a restful break with no where to go, no where to be at a certain time..just me and the sweets..enjoying Christmas and each other..

the sad thing for most people is on the 25th...it is over... but MY Christmas is a 365 days a year thing.. I have Christmas EVERYDAY.. Jesus is the best gift you could ever want, and he just keeps on giving. He never breaks, or doesnt fit.. He never runs out of batteries.. HE has all the power in the world..... He is a gift you never want to return, but a gift you want to give ALWAYS!!! AND THE BEST THING IS ..He is GOD'S GREATEST GIFT, ever sent..to show the world.

Christmas Spirit

We have had lots of stuff going on. Our church went on a Faith Family Retreat in Pigeon Forge, last weekend. We had lots of fun. It was great to get away and see the beautiful lights and get in the Christmas spirit. We went to Dollywood, and shopped and ate some really good food... I have a lot of shopping still left to do. It is hard to buy for people who have everything. I , personally like the green stuff.. it fits everybody..and you can always use it. It amazes me how people , during Christmas, don't ever remember what Christmas is all about. They put everything else in front of HIM. After all, it is HIS birthday we celebrate.

It is going to be busy these next few weeks, but try to STOP and remember the REASON for the Season.

everyday CHRISTmas???

i want to share with you 10 ways to make everyday CHRISTMAS!!!

1. GIVE SOMETHING AWAY.

2.DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND FORGET ABOUT IT.

3.SPEND A LITTLE TIME WITH THE ELDERLY. THEIR EXPERIENCES IS PRICELESS GUIDENCE..

4. LOOK INTO THE EYES OF A CHILD.

5.LAUGH OFTEN.

6.SAY THANK YOU..TWO MANY TIMES IS STILL NOT ENOUGH.

7.PRAY.

8.WORK..ONE DAY U MIGHT NOT BE ABLE..

9.PLAN AS THOUGH YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER..IF YOU ARE SAVED, THEN THIS WILL DEFINATELY BE TRUE..

10.LIVE AS THOUGH YOU'LL DIE TOMMORROW, BECAUSE YOU WILL ON SOME TOMMORROW..

THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY TO HAVE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY:

YOU CAN HAVE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR, NOT JUST DECEMBER 25TH..WE HAVE THE BEST GIFT OF ALL...JESUS.. HE GAVE HIS SON FOR US, SO WE WOULD HAVE THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE.. DON'T TURN AWAY THIS GIFT, IT IS THE BEST ONE YOU WILL EVER RECIEVE.. JAMES 1:17

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!! WE WISH YOU SAFE AND HAPPY TIMES WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF THE SEASON..

MAY YOUR DAYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT, MAKING CHRIST , OUR SAVIOR, AS YOUR LIGHT!!!!

december days

it has been a great month so far.. we have been steady busy with just every day living, and enjoying life. my great aunt died last week, and we had her service lasst monday. boy, was it a great one!!! we have not had a lot of Christmas get togethers yet, some have already happened, and did not know anything about, but you know how that goes...we attended the annual downtown Christmas on Limestone. it was good and seems to get bigger and better every year.. next sunday, at church willl be our annual Christmas play.we are looking forward to that, and seeing what GOD has in store. i know we will get a blessing. we are having chris' family next monday night, for our Christmas family get together. we are looking forward to that also. so, you see, these december days are just flying by, and it won't be long till Christmas day... now, if i only had all of my shopping done!!!!!! i still have quite a bit to accomplish!!!! enjoy your week and remember the reason for the season!!!!!!

o CHRISTMAS tree

we have had our decor up for a week now.. i am just now getting to post the pics we have taken so far. hope you take the time this wonderful holiday season to spend some wonderful time with your loved ones, and see the magic of CHRISTMAS through the eyes of a child, and remember the true meaning of the season...JESUS......!!!!!! CHRISTMAS times a comin!!!!!

Christmas with Chris' family

last sunday night, we had Christmas with chris' family. we had it in our home this year, which was a true blessing.. we had party pickups as our foods. we had ham and cheese biscuits, homemade cheese dip and chips, cocktail wieners, pecan pie, cupcakes,sandwiches, and drinks... we had a time of eating and fellowship,'' meaning we had to take pictures....''

all of the presents around the tree

this is randy,niki, and chris
this is chris' brother and sister

this is our niece, chelsea, and our nephews, devin, ethan, scott, and shane

we had a family picture made... our first one with john

my gag gift from john


when john and jan got married, his first christmas with us, i started a tradition of getting him a christmas gag gift every year... i have had lots of fun for the past 3 years buying him gag gifts.. this year was no exception..every year, he claims he has ''outdone me '' on the gift.. NOT!!!!! this year, i bought him a mouse pad that says ''lay your hands on me''...and it is a butt...lol,lol...

he got me and singing and shaking bull,lol,lol.... i still say i had him on the gift.....don't you???

we had two visitors to join us.. chelsea has a new boyfriend, david... and her mother, niki, has a new boyfriend, shannon... they joined us for the evening, and at the end we made a picture with them..

we had a great christmas with them, and we got some nice gifts!!