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Sunday, January 24, 2010

La Navidad de Nieve

Does it get any better than Christmas? Really? I am just so happy, and love my family so much. It was so wonderful to celebrate with them... We started in Abilene and woke up Christmas Eve morning to a blanket of snow. Eden woke up, leaned over, looked out the window and said "whoa". Cracked us up.

Within an hour or so of waking up we lost power- yikes- and still didn't have any 5 hours later- double yikes. Finally came back on just in time for us to get ready for church. We piled in the car and made the almost 20 minute drive across Abilene, in the snow, on treacherous icy roads. As we rounded the corner and spotted the empty church parking lot, it occurred to us that on the day of the biggest winter storm in recent history, we probably should have called to see if services had been cancelled. Hmmmmm... Back to the house for snacks and presents- NEVER cancelled.




This pic deserves some commentary- you see my sister gave my Mom the famous "French Cuff Classic White Shirt" from Victoria's Secret that she had always wanted. Come to find out Mom went from wanting to buying MONTHS before... The funny part was that Mom was WEARING the famous shirt. We laughed for half an hour...

Uncle Bud gave Eden her first piano. Without question it was the hit of 2009.





We left Abilene, spent the night in Granbury, and then headed to Tyler. Another fabulous time with our fabulous family. Lots of food and lots of fun gifts. It was so fun to watch Eden & Garrett play. They adore each other.





I am overwhelmed by how unbelievably blessed we are. It's really more than I can comprehend, I fully admit. With all my puny human ability, I thank you God for your Son. I look forward to the day in heaven when I can really appreciate and understand what that gift means. I thank you almost as much for placing me in a place and surrounding me by people that speak your name daily. It was an easy choice...

Oh the Christmas Card Picture...

Let's just say we spent 65 minutes and 93- yes 93- shots trying to get a cute christmas card pic of Eden kissing my belly. Apparently I forgot to tell Eden that was the plan and she had scheduled something else. I tell you this so you will appreciate the card oh so much more...



She did it!

My baby sister graduated from A&M on Saturday- and that, my friends, is no easy task. Is it really possible that she's older than like 12? Way to go Anna!!



Santa... Not so much.

So I can officially say that Miss Eden is not a fan of the Claus. For those of you who don't know, the Northpark Santa is the Santa that trumps all Santas. So, when she didn't warm up to HIM, I knew it was hopeless. He was very sweet about it- after all, he's Santa...


She actually adored him from afar. Not so much from aclose...

Love doin Northpark with Rosanne & Miss Aubrie.

It's Parade Season...

If you haven't heard, I love- LOVE- parades. I have for as long as I can remember. It's hard to say exactly why. I suppose it's just that everyone is smiling and waving and celebrating something wonderful... It was very easy for me to make the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade a yearly Christmas tradition. It's a GRANDADDY parade and oh so fun. This year Brett raised the bar and got us a room at the Adolphus and then to top it all off, our dear friends The Clark's from Andrews were able to join us. I can't remember the last time I had a day so wonderful...

Eden and Landes Clark- I hope they are great friends 30 years from now just like their Mamas are.
Can I tell you that beret was worth EVERY PENNY!

Each time a new float or balloon came into view, Eden would say "WHOA!"

Pretty girl in front of the pretty tree in the lobby.

Later that afternoon we went to "Ice" at the Gaylord Texan with the Andrews crew. It's a beautiful resort if you have never seen it. "Ice" is really neat too, but Eden is still a little young to appreciate it. She had a little cough and later I realized she had a fever- so happy I took her through a show that was 9 degrees! Mom of the year...



The Friday after Thanksgiving was the annual Christmas Parade in Granbury. I am so proud of our little town for being so good at celebrating things. I like to joke that I moved here because they have parades for everything you can think of- just got back from the Wednesday afternoon parade- he he. Seriously I had no idea of what a parade lovin town this is, but it was a super great surprise!





She LOVED it! Just like her Momma...

Thanksgiving

I am ashamed at how much I have to be thankful for and how seldom I stop and acknowledge it. It shouldn't take a holiday for me to show Him my gratitude... I am so thankful that He loves me anyway.

Thank you God for my life. For allowing me to be born during this time, to this family, and in this country. I truly want for nothing. Thank you for my health and the health of all those I love. Thank you for all that you have protected me from and for continuing to bless me- often in spite of my foolishness. Thank you for my amazing husband and for my children- they are so much more than I deserve. Thank you the most for your grace and your Son. There is no greater gift.

We made the I20 roadtrip again this year. I didn't manage to get any pictures taken in Abilene but here are some good ones from Tyler...

All the cousins! There are 3 sets of twins in that room!
Sweet Grandma Jessie. She is so special.

Our favorite nephew
The best Sassy in the world.