Hmmmmmm.Did you have a Merry Christmas? It was wonderful here...quiet...a little slower paced than years past...but merry, indeed!
2010 will be here in a few short hours...I contemplate the New Year like a clean slate.--a fresh start, if you will, with a new journal and new pens (thanks, PC!) and a refreshed out look on life (thank You, Lord!)
Looking back over 2009, I can't believe all that has happened in our little 'corner of the world'! One of my goals for 2009 was to 'wait on the Lord'--to purpose not to become anxious. While I failed at this a lot of the time, it truly did make a difference as I look back because of the way things worked out. Waiting on Him, in His presence has made all the difference!--He is faithful!
January found the twins attending school in a 'temporary location' (at a local church) due to renovations for their middle school builidng. The girls became busy with gymnastics during this month. Holly started her 'last' semester at EIU. Randy & I began 'team meetings' for the Great Banquet.
By February, we were in 'full swing' with Bible studies and our second session of facilitating Grief Share. Randy & Holly began planning a vacation for us. Baby Ally, only two months old, got pneumonia and was in the hospital over Valentines' Day:( Madison & Mallory were by this time preparing for a recital, and loving it!
In March, Randy & I attended Great Banquet week ends, his for men, mine for women. What an experience! Mom & Jim got home from spending time in Florida for winter months! Holly began exploring options for post graduation ...and vacation plans were coming together for summer time!
In April, the Oil Belt Ladies' retreat, which was really a one day event happened. Lynn Reece from Louisville, KY spoke, and the day was just amazing. The team for this day was so fun to work with, and so faithful to honor God in their dealings! Randy & I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary, which doesn't seem possible, til we consider the fact that we are, indeed, grandparents!
May, 2009 found us at Holly's graduation ceremony. I only cried when she walked in with her golden 'honor cords' around her neck..a goal since she was much younger! The twins gymnastics recital happened a couple of weeks later, and Holly moved home from school to spend the summer with us...and work at a local gym. Madi & Mal were glad to be out of school, too...and loved the fact that they could start enjoying the local city pool each day for swimming and working on that tan!
In June, the twins went to their first Jr High church camp experienceand LOVED IT!!! And, I got to teach in VBS!!!--God gave me such a gift in helpers, and the kids were amazing...good times! Also in June, we packed our bags to head south for vacation!
The five of us spent the week of July 4 in a condo in Destin, FL where we just enjoyed the beach and the sun and quiet! Didn't do a lot of the 'touristy' stuff...just relaxed!
In August, Randy & I attended a picnic to mark my 30th class reunion...fun to reconnect with old friends! Shortly after that, Randy packed up my car and moved Holly to Disney World...which seems fitting now that I think about it, 'professional vacationer' would be her father's career of choice...so, she's in a great place to vacation AND work! Madison & Mallory got to start school in their newly remodeled Middle School, and it truly IS gorgeous.
September started off great as we joined many good friends for our annual 'reunion' in Missouri for Labor Day week end! Alayna & Wes even joined us this year! Madison & Mallory decided they would like to join the basketball team.
In October, our oldest daughter celebrated her 25th birthday (that doesn't make me feel old at all:D) and our grandson, Will turned 4 years old, complete with pirate costuming! He continues to be such a delight...actually, hilarious! For those who live in our home, though, October found us attending practices, games, Bible studies, Grief Share and again, Great Banquet team meetings...the men's week end was the last full week end in October. The women's week end was the first full week end in November. What a difference these week ends make...truly an amazing amazing experience!
November was a busy month, anticipating holidays, and moving Holly home, and then, that sort of changed a little, as Holly decided to stay in Florida for now. Things stayed 'up in the air' for a little bit of time. (and, I'm sorry to say, I became very sad to consider the season without all our kids here) But, November became such a precious month in the life of our whole family, as Ally turned one year old, and our nephew married the woman of his dreams! Gorgeous wedding...and so much fun!
And, then December came. And with it, the sadness continued. Randy & I shared an amazing trip to shop for Christmas presents, which got me in the mood to wrap presents. We purposed to put up decorations, silently I didn't want to at all, but did it. As it turns out, a truly amazing thing happened...
I had 'put away' all the sentimental decorations after we lost Macy Jo. So, this year, on purpose, I got out those 'old, put away' things. Ornaments that have all our girls' 'baby pictures' on them, and ornaments they made when they were pre-schoolers...a bouquet of flowers from Holly's first birthday cake...a doll my grandma gave Alayna for herbfirst Christmas...we kept things really simple...
and then it happened...I decided to get out the old Santas. I forgot how friendly the family room gets with these 40 or 50 likenesses sitting around appropriately. I KNOW Santa isn't the reason for the season. I know this, but something about the red fur and the white beard and rosy cheeks just make me smile!--And, feel like I'm finally 'home' in our own HOME!!!-- A really good 'new normal', and isn't that always the goal? Contentment in our 'new normal'?--Change is the only constant in this world... but, it truly was a Merry Christmas...indeed!
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