Winding Down

If you want to get anything done before the end of the year, you'd best get started...time is RUNNING OUT! We will spend the last hours of 2008 at home just like we did last year, the year before that, and, well, let's just say it's TRADITION at this point. We'll be wiith a few close friends and far away from the crazy crowds. Enjoying laughs by the fire. Unsealing the envelope with the predictions we wrote last New Year's Eve to see how many of them came to pass. Writing down our prognostications for the coming year and enjoying a midnight breakfast together. It might sound dull to some, but it's our idea of a perfect New Year's Eve. Our best to all of you for a happy and healthy 2009.

The Week In Between

After a couple of days of undecking the halls and enjoying some down time with Kate and E.W., I had a excellent visit with my folks. Daddy and I worked out some computer issues and even managed to figure out how to have webcam conversations with each other. I know this is a no-brainer achievement for some, but we had no idea what we were doing so we were very EUREKA when we figured it out. We are easily entertained. Kate came over last night, just in time to enjoy an outing to Rhinehart's! After a few shopping stops, I'm back home getting ready for 2009. There are prognostications to develop, resolutions to make, and reflections to write. Not to mention a trip to the grocery store for our traditional New Year's Eve and New Year's Day menu supplies. So we don't starve. Because we haven't been eating like piglets for the past two weeks. Right.

Our Christmas

The 23rd is usually the day my folks arrive for Christmas. Since they were not :( coming this year, we didn't really know what to do with ourselves Tuesday! Kate did come home after spending a few days in B'ham; the rest of the B'ham crew made it to Ashley's folks later that night. We are eversograteful for traveling mercies.

Yesterday afternoon Worth and Emmett got in some 'boy time' on the golf course (bonding). We attended Christmas Eve service at our church (inspiration) and then made it over to the Gaines' annual gathering (laughs).

Today we did something we never, ever have done before on Christmas morning; we slept in! The B'ham and Albany crews weren't due here until early afternoon, so we had a leisurely Christmas morning. Although it was different, we found that it was not a bad way to begin the day.

Ellie arrived, charmed everyone, and then napped while we opened gifts and had Christmas dinner. Then she woke up in time to do some more charming and try out her new Bumbo.

The Best Gift

Tolerate Us

From the Scheiss Weekly:

Things Nice People Already Know: Why whine when sharing is so much nicer?

Mamacita says: I will never understand why some people feel they have to be so defensive and hostile all the time. These people whine “insensitivity” but the truth is, THEY are the ones who are insensitive.

This time of year, in particular, one reads article after article, letter after letter, about incident after incident concerning “violation of my rights as a citizen/resident of this country and I want it STOPPED RIGHT NOW or I shall SUE and WHINE SOME MORE and WRITE SOME MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and COMMENT ON WEBSITES and DEMAND THAT MY RIGHTS BE HONORED.” Not anyone else’s: just theirs.

Well, in this country, we all have a right to our rights. But shouldn’t rants like this be reserved for issues that are more, well, life and death? Because if you’re raising such a stink about a wreath and a candy cane, what have you left for horrific death and tragedy?

I really don’t think anybody had you singled out for abuse when that snowman and the reindeer were put out in the yard. And if someone wishes to put out a nativity scene, well, they’ve got rights, too. Just don’t look. ...continue...

A Christmas Event

Late yesterday afternoon I got back in town just before Kate wheeled in from the Classic City; we had about two hours to get ready for her traditional Christmas dinner party for high school friends. I told her I thought the dinner needed a more festive name (an event that's happening for the eighth year in a row really does deserve a festive name) but got nowhere with that. Anyway, we had planned an easy menu (in line with the apparent trend to simplify the holidays) so getting ready was a snap.

What a PLEASURE it has been to be on the sidelines as these girls have become amazing young women. Some were not able to be in town this weekend (work and geography are to blame - boo hiss!) and were missed. Maybe next year?

Self-Portrait

Ellie and I decided we needed a self-portrait on our last day together (feel free to disregard the lack of makeup on the grandmother!). After some down time with her parents this weekend, Ellie has a visit from her Auntie Kate planned and then a trip to Georgia to await Santa. The girls in our family DO have such busy social schedules!

Three Months Old Today

We are (just a tad!) biased, but how PRECIOUS is this little face? Ellie is three months old today and it's been a JOY for me to be with her this week while her mama was working. We've had a fine time together and have made lots of plans for future mischief, too!

She has stolen more of my heart, but as Betsey told me, it's okay because once a grandchild has stolen your heart, you don't want it back. Ellie, your Mia loves you!

87 Seconds

Just a FEW of the expressions Ellie managed in the span of 87 seconds (yes, I checked the timestamp).

Mary, Did You Know?

One of THE MOST amazing songs of the season...take a few minutes and let your heart be filled with the wonder of God's Gift.

A Day In the Life

Can I just say that I LOVE being a grandmother?

Y'all come back, hear?

Welcome! Whether you came from BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes or from somewhere else and have no idea what a BooMama is, fix yourself a nice snack and relax. Enjoy our tour and then click on the button on the right to see what families from here to there have done to make their homes ready for Christmas celebrations (after you get there you'll need to scroll down to find everyone's links). Part of the tour is sharing something about our holiday eating habits, too, so here's our traditional Christmas Brunch.

Now, anyone who knows us could tell you how much we treasure family keepsakes. It's just who we are. Every part of our Christmas reflects that same sensibility; no magazine will ever come to us for their December photo shoot! That being said, we wouldn't have it any other way. Who would want a fancy dancy nativity when they could cherish one that's been in the family for as long as I can remember? Yes, it came from W. T. Grant's. Yes, each piece still has a ten cent price sticker on the bottom. Yes, the hay in the stable is the hay my grandfather put in it some time around 1955. Also, our tree is not decorated. It's simply covered in ornaments made in kindergarten, pictures of first Christmases, and gifts from family and friends. Our underlying theme is this: If you gave it to us because you love us, it's a treasure. If you loved it first and then passed it along to us, we are honored.

Y'all come back, hear?

Friday Fun

One of the nice thing about the Christmas season is that friends make time to be together. After a GREAT visit at La Cabana with Linda, I met the Junebugs for MORE HOLIDAY FUN.

Nice Surprise

Last week the Internet Cafe hosted a holiday giveaway. These gorgeous earrings really caught my eye. AND GUESS WHAT???

I ACTUALLY WON them from the Kit and Caboodle Shop. Thanks, Gayle!

*update* These earrings arrived and they are GORGEOUS! I also ordered a bracelet and it's fabulous, as well.

Eye Contact

Can't wait until Sunday, when I get to look into these eyes again! Ellie and I will be spending some time together next week while her mama transitions back into work mode. I'm looking forward to losing a little bit more of my heart to this wide-eyed girl. Do you blame me?

It's Okay to Celebrate

I am not a gifted writer but Kristen at {dancing} in the margins is. She has expressed so well how I feel about Christmas. Most of you probably feel the same way, too. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Worth!

Hard to imagine that you were ever this small, especially now that you are a daddy yourself! Just know that when we took this picture, we were already amazed by you. Happy 29th birthday, boy.

Making Lists

Just a BIT more than two weeks until Christmas! We have the halls decked and the gifts, well we're working on that. Just like Norman Rockwell's Santa, we are making lists and mulling over our decisions. I wish I could say we were sporting a halo like him, but we ARE making an attempt to do the important things this Christmas season.

And just in case you have doubts, Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.

Quote of the Day

Thanks to Mamacita for sharing this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: What one has to do usually can be done. It reminded me to prioritize and focus on what is meaningful.

Linus Explains It All

If this clip has you wanting more...see ya Monday night, 8:00, ABC.

What the Rise of Southern Football Says About America

Link to an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal: The South is dominating college football like never before, but its ascent isn't just a matter of good coaching. How a population boom and a growing economy have helped turn a regional obsession into a national juggernaut.

Freddie's Kitten

What with all the Thanksgiving feasting, tree decorating, and birthday celebrating, I have neglected to mention that Freddie got a kitten. Here's a picture for those of you who haven't visited the B'ham Blog.

Freddie explains the house rules

to his new kitten, Shadow

Happy Birthday, Kate!

This picture was taken not long after you were born 26 years ago and can't possibly show the excitement we were feeling because IT'S A GIRL IT'S A GIRL IT'S A GIRL!

You are most precious to us. We wish you the happiest birthday ever and all the blessings you deserve.

Firsts

Ashley helped Ellie hang her first ornament after the three of them picked out Ellie's first Christmas tree yesterday. For more about the adventure, click a picture or link to the B'ham Bowers.

trimming the tree

dressed to get the tree; how sweet is she in that hat?!?

Advent

Much thanks to Obi's Sister for this wonderful Daily Devotions for Advent. Preparing our hearts for the season is time well spent.