Happy 2015

 From my blog to yours, happy new year! 

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May your 2015 be filled with mercy and grace.  Thank you for being my friend. 

~Jenn 

Christmas Memories

Christmas has come and gone.  I personally felt kind of sad and numb, but tried to make an effort so that my family would still have a good Christmas.

Christmas Eve was spent with my parents.  We sang carols with the kids leading us with their guitars.  We had appetizers and desserts galore.  We were all spoiled with lots of presents, too.  Best of all, the weather cooperated.  It was supposed to snow, but never did.

Christmas day, we had to wake the kids up to open presents,which is a change from when they were younger!  If we were not in a hurry to get to Grandma three hours away, we would have let them sleep as long as they wanted!  We opened presents, and then got ready to go north.

We had an uneventful trip up to Grandma's, another praise.  She served us a big ham dinner.  It was a lovely afternoon with extended family.  We made a side trip to see Jeff's dad and his side of the family, too, which was really nice.  And then, we went back to Grandma's for more food and conversation.

That night, we had reserved a hotel room, so that we did not have to make the long drive back home.  The hotel was near our favorite park, too.  In the morning, we took a short hike and visited the beach, too.  Then it was another uneventful trip home, for which we were very grateful.

Monday is the memorial service for my grandma.  I am hoping that will help with closure.  It still doesn't seem real.  It all happened too fast.

Twas a Few Days Before Christmas

We are officially on Christmas break, but I must confess that I do not have the Christmas spirit.  You see, my paternal grandmother lies in her bed waiting for her eternal rest with her Savior.  It won't be much longer we are told.  

I spent the last several days at her bedside at my dad's house off and on.  It is wonderful to see family and friends and visit with them. It has been a comfort being with my family.  We are all in a state of disbelief.  If you knew my grandma, you would be too.  She is only 82, and quite a busy lady with many volunteer jobs around her town at the senior citizens center, church, and even has a trained comfort dog to take to schools for kids to read to.  She is a force of nature herself!  

It was last May that she was given the diagnosis of cancer.  There was nothing they could do.  And so, she moved home a few months ago so that her family could care for her.  The doctors here were going to try a few things to maybe slow the beast down.  Well, the chemo was too much for her, and the cancer just spread faster.  

I am heartbroken.  I am going to miss her so much.  She was my cheerleader, coach, and prayer warrior.  I am only sad for myself.  I am glad for her.  She will be finally at home with Jesus, no more cares, no more pain.  And I will see her again, just not soon enough.  

The Middle of December

Another great weekend came and went. Friday our oldest was in a jazz band competition in a college town an hour south. The college jazz department furnished judges. We really enjoyed the evening.  He won an award for musicianship for one of his solos. He was also picked to play in a combo group.

Saturday morning we ran some errands, then we made the trip up to church to see the Christmas musical. Afterwards we had dinner with my parents and grandmother.  It was a special evening.

Sunday we were back to church with no special afternoon plans, so we watched an old movie starring Bing Crosby, Going My Way. I made a big lasagna, and we worked on Christmas cards, finally.

This week we have 2 parties and a karate competition.  Life is full!

Enjoying the Season

Just seems like Thanksgiving came and went, and now it is full steam ahead for Christmas!  I am constantly amazed at how fast time is flying by.  Really.  Do we not have the same 24 hours a day that we have always had?  How can it be nearing the end of 2014?

She doesn't like the train under the tree. 

This past weekend we had Jeff's company Christmas party at a fancy hotel to attend.  I even got to purchase a new dress!  I have not been all dressed up in a very long time.  We had a great time.  Jeff has nice coworkers, plus there was a pretty decent live band.  Oh, and the food was endless.  Each employee was given a hotel room, but we had to decline since we have church and children to attend to.

We also attended our annual Christmas brunch with dear family who live in a retirement home that goes all out for this event, another delicious buffet and wonderful live piano music.  I ate too much, again!  And we love spending time with family.

This week is super busy, too with a couple jazz band events for our oldest, a mom gathering for me to attend, and the usual activities. I am also excited that we have reached week 17 in our Sonlight. Just 19 more to go. We sure are enjoying all the great books, having just finished The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

I think I forgot to mention that I received an early Christmas gift from my mom.  She got me a Keurig!  I had wanted one for a long time, when she got one.  Then I had just about decided that I really didn't want one after all, when she brought me one at Thanksgiving!  We have been having lots of fun trying new flavors.  They are expensive, so we are trying to pace ourselves.

A Happy Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year. Typically I stress out about hosting. Thankfully this year was different.  I started praying for a peaceful heart several days in advance. I prayed over my menu. I prayed over my housekeeping plan. I hired my kids at $5 an hour to help with little projects that were out of the ordinary,  like vacuuming the stairs, washing cabinets,  and dusting baseboards. It ended up that I only needed one man hour.  I had a great plan, and started the Monday before Thanksgiving,  each day after lessons. By Thursday, only a few things had to be done.  And the day went pretty well, too!

First Snow

The exciting first snow has arrived, bringing an increased holiday spirit, just a tad early.  With my Christmas loving husband, we hung lights above our cabinets in the kitchen, got out his grandma's ceramic tree, listened to Christmas CDs, and watched 3 Christmas movies this past weekend!  We even found Christmas cookie icecream. Today we are baking gingerbread to take to my grandma, recently relocated nearby to fight her cancer battle closer to family. I usually like to celebrate one holiday at a time, but this early winter wonderland is crying out for celebrating!