I haven't posted since Oct 29th...wow.

Some people are "born bloggers"...apparently I am not.  I have a lot to say, really I do, but it's mostly stuff that only a Mother would love to hear...or a hubby, or a best friend,.... or my dog. :)

But for the sake of throwing something out there in case I don't come back until next year, I thought I'd "blog" today.

Life has been interesting lately.  Some lessons have been learned, sadly they were the kind you always knew about but never really wanted to KNOW about.  BUT, God is good.  He is on His throne, and He's totally in control....I love that.  It makes everything worth while.  He has a plan...that's a good thing.

So, here it is December 9th.  We finally got the best friends all moved into their new house...nice house!  I do not envy them upacking the gazillion boxes...where was all that stuff in their old house????  I have no clue.  I do not envy them moving so close to Christmas, but what a fantastic Christmas gift for the whole family! :) 

We finally got our Christmas lights up, got a tree...a real one... Mmmmm, love that smell, and feel, :).  Hubby usually tries to talk me into getting a fake one, but this year HE suggested we go out and get a tree before I even hinted at "it's tree time".  I love him.  I bet he doesn't really want a fake one....ever. :)

Stormie prefers real trees too...

Someday I'm going to photograph my hubby putting up lights outside.  It's a little scary.  We have a tall palm tree that he decorates oh so pretty.  He has to use our RV as a "platform"...yup the neighbors know when we're putting up lights, lol.  THEN he has to stand on a very tall ladder to complete the connections.  This is when I start to sweat and my heart starts thumping...it's scary.  I don't care how sure footed and strong he is...it's just scary to see him up there.

Usually we have a full house for Christmas dinner, last year there were 14 of us!  This year however, we have dwindled.  My best friends parents won't be here, my in-laws won't be here, and *sigh*...my son won't be here. :( 

He's still in Afghanistan, livin' in a tent.  I sent him some garland and cookies.  I love him.  I miss him.  I can't WAIT till February!!!!!  I get him for a week.  That sure doesn't seem like enough time after 6 months in another country.  Oh why do kids have to grow up and get lives of their own?  I want to fill that week with so much stuff that we are worn out at the end of it!!!

So, we've had so much swirling around in our brains lately that I have not done ANY Christmas shopping (except for Cris' garland).  It doesn't seem to bother me much except I really love giving presents.  So I MUST get something.  I love the way my tree looks with gifts underneath....maybe I'll just wrap boxes.  I do have something for my bestest girlfriend (I got it a while back)...but she's WAY too easy to shop for.  Everytime I go anywhere I see something that I could get her for Christmas....I could fill a moving truck full of things she'd like.  Hubby, however, wants nothing.  He is the most happy and content man I know. 

I've been baking cookies...for the neighbors...I had to taste them of course...they are yummy. :)

The festivities of Christmas certainly feel "different" this year...but the fact is that if Christmas is really about celebrating the birth of Jesus, the "feeling" never changes.  It is always the same, a beautiful reminder and time of reflection on the humble way that our Savior, our Lord, came to this earth.  He came to live a life here, to show us how much he can relate to our pains, our trials and our joys.  Thank You Jesus!!!!  I love You.

Merry Christmas friends!