Well, Christmas is definitely different this year than we ever dreamed it would be last year. These are pictures of Noah on Christmas Sunday in his little Santa suit. Noah got his first Christmas sack, a tradition that his namesake started many, many years ago. I am so thankful to God for my wonderful family and that we are all together once again for Christmas. I pray that it will always be so and that we would all continue to defer to one another. How blessed we are! Merry Christmas to you all.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Blogging

I have found so many cool blogs that Christian women write. I am so impressed by them and inspired. One of my favorite things to do is find new sites. I do want to pass on my favorite scripture in case anyone is actually reading my blog. Isaiah 43:1-2 says
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called [you] by your name; You [are] Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I [will be] with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

What a comfort this scripture is. To know that God knows me individually is awesome, that he will be with me through all of my life is incredible. What a great God I have. My husband says God is and God is good. So true.

On another note, I am so blessed. Even saying that doesn't seem to convey what I really feel. I have health, family, friends, everything and more than I could ever imagine. As my sister once said, "I love my life." And tonight I get to see and babysit my little Noah. What a blessing he has been to our family. I can't wait to have many, many more. I'm not sure I could ever have too many grandchildren. Of course I always wanted lots of children myself.

My Granny Yates went home yesterday. She was 97. We are all going to miss her so much but I am thankful for her homegoing. I can just see the reunion that went on yesterday and probably is still going on between her and my mother, Granny's son and her parents. My goodness what celebration is happening. Granny has been such an important part of my life for just forever. It's hard to believe she won't be around any longer even though she has been "gone" in her mind for a long time now. She was always there when us kids were growing up, picking up our rooms, helping Mother with the house work or laundry. She worked at the plant for years opening up early in the morning and working all day long. Sometimes it would be so incredibly hot at the plant where she worked hooking lures, but she always loved being around all the women who worked there. When Jenny and Lana were babys, she would take care of them at the office while Karen and I worked. She pushed them around in a grocery basket when they were big enought to sit up. Granny worked there 40+ hours a week until she was 80 years old. She wouldn't have stopped then if they hadn't laid her off. She loved being around people. She loved caring for her family especially her babies. I think that is why the last couple of years she constantly had her "babies" with her and cared for them so much. If you went into her room and she was asleep, her babies would be right there with her taking up most of the bed. They would be laying there on her arm just like I remember we used to do when we were little. That was one of the most comforting things that I remember as a kid was sleeping next to Granny on her arm in that small bedroom at Ma Sims' house. Granny, I love you and will miss you so much but I will see you again. Have fun at your reunion.

Wow how fast time has gone this year. With Thanksgiving over it is now time to zoom on to Christmas. I hope to take it a little slower this year and really enjoy the season. I have been reading so many wonderful blogs by Christian women. They are truly inspiring and I am blessed to have found them.
We did have a great Thanksgiving again this year. Just having all of my kiddos with me is all I could ever want, plus we have the added pleasure of having our little Noah with us this year. We never dreamed last year that this year we would have such a cute bundle of pure joy. Thank you God for your blessings we receive every day.