New House!

Angela and Steve closed on their house today and are now officially homeowners! They are having their first dinner in their new home above.ha. Had to bring in patio chairs to sit in and eat off plastic storage boxes but, hey, it worked! .Their plan for tomorrow is to start painting. I am so happy and excited for them and can't wait for them to get their stuff in there and start decorating. I'll get a picture of the outside this weekend and post it for you to see. So, until next time...Wanda.

Deck the Halls!

What does that have to do with my blog? Nothing. Just had to give it a title; however, I do have my tree up and a few Christmas touches sitting around (I believe I've already said that). Anyway, it's Sunday, my favorite day of the week, and it's been wonderful. We had a live nativity at church tonight in the sanctuary put on by children and adults, and it was really good. Afterwards, we had finger foods in the fellowship hall and I came home stuffed.

I actually have three gifts wrapped and under the tree!!! Several more are hiding in the closet waiting to be wrapped. Angela plans to come over one night and we'll wrap together since some of hers are in my closet as well. We'll have to remember which gifts each of us bought for who and see what's left to do. I fear I'm not even half through yet. She and I made a quick trip this afternoon to Belks and Walmart for a couple of items. Seems Sunday afternoons are so short that we didn't accomplish a lot but it was fun being together for an hour or so.

Grandchild No. 5 (Luke) has a birthday coming up next Sunday (the 14th) and has a party (3 years old!) this coming Saturday. I'm planning to go to the party and spend the day to help him celebrate. I think Emily (Grandchild No. 3) is going with me. It just doesn't seem possible that Luke is turning 3 - seems like only yesterday that he was born!! But, it's that way with all of them. They just grow up too fast.

We have Victorian Christmas this Thursday and Friday night here in Thomasville. I think Stuart and Kristi are coming down for that, so we'll probably go on Thursday night. That is always a fun time with the streets blocked off, all the stores open, Christmas music playing, horse and carriage rides, entertainment up and down the streets, all kinds of food concessions, seeing people/friends you haven't seen in a long time, and just getting into the Christmas mood. Hope all of you have a wonderful week.

Until next time...Wanda.

Christmas Joy!

Angela and Emily came over tonight and helped me put up my Christmas tree and other do-dads. The tree looks a little bare with no gifts under it yet, so I must get busy and wrap the ones I have bought. They've been riding around in the trunk of my car for four days and I can hardly remember what's there. Oh well, now that there are no children around I can get them out and wrap away.

Speaking of Angela, they had the inspection yesterday on the house they are buying and got a good report. Would you believe they are closing on the deal this coming Monday!!! Wow, that was quick but an answer to prayer. I am so excited for them and can hardly wait to help them move and get settled in before Christmas.

The next few weeks are going to be really busy -- shopping, wrapping, going to Victorian Christmas, going to Columbus for Luke's birthday party, preparing for Christmas Day, etc. etc. So, I don't know when I may get to post again. Until next time...Wanda.

Holiday Blessings!

I had a super wonderful Thanksgiving week. Why?

1) I had three days off work (usually just have two);

2) My son came home and brought his girlfriend (Kristi) whom I had never met (Shhh--I loved her!);

3) Both of my daughters and their entire families were here;

4) I had all six of my grandchildren here at the same time (see picture above);

5) We had Thanksgiving lunch at my mother-in-law's house (43 people in all);

6) I got started on my Christmas shopping;

7) We took the children to see the Christmas lights at the Flowers Bakery corporate offices (that's always a biggie for Thomasville);

8) Angela and Steve bought a house!!!! (It's beautiful and the first house they have ever owned. Well, they haven't closed the deal yet, but that should happen in a few days);

9) Had wonderful services at church Sunday morning and Sunday night;

10) All of my children had safe trips home (prayers were answered);

11) I had out-of-town guests overnight on Saturday (my grandson's girlfriend, her dad, stepmom and little brother). I loved them as well despite the fact James (the dad) beat Angela and me at Phase 10 (why is it when I teach someone how to play they always beat me?!!!);

12) I had 15 people for dinner on Saturday night, so it was quite noisy but wonderful;

13) I had lunch Sunday with my usual bunch of church friends; and

14) God is good, and I'm so thankful for family and friends.

On another note, the last time I blogged I listed several people who were on my prayer list.

1) First of all, good good news! My brother Paul has been taken off his feeding tube, the doctors were able to stretch his esophagus, and he's eating again! He says he is eating everything in sight and then going to the fridge to see if he missed anything. ha. Wow, what a miracle!

2) Second, and not good news, my brother-in-law (Gwin) in California has been diagnosed with colon cancer. However, God is in control and we are praying for another miracle. My sister is so strong in her faith and is believing and expecting that miracle. It will be exciting to see what God does. Whatever HIS decision, it will be for the best. As the song says, if I stay, I win and if I go, I win. Gwin has been preaching the gospel for 57 years and has been so faithful, so I know he would be on God's "favorites" list if He had one, which He doesn't.

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and are looking forward to an exciting and blest Christmas season. Until next time...Wanda.