Quote of the Season

Conversation between my Uncle Tommy and Grandaddy...


Tommy: Dad, we are having our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church tonight. Would you like to go?

Grandaddy: Not especially.

Is It Over?

I love Christmas time. I always have very mixed emotions when it is over. When I was a child, I can remember the sad, very down feeling I would have on December 26. I could hardly believe that it was over. As an adult, I still have that feeling in some way. However, mixed with that sadness is a sense of relief. Probably because I know how fast times goes and that Christmas will be back before I know it.

So now, the dread has set in. The dread of looking at all of these beautiful decorations and knowing that I have to clean them up. I feel a sense of sadness that they have to go. Yet, at the same time, I'm so sick of them I wish I could snap my fingers and have them disappear.

When I was a child, I can remember us begging our mother to leave the decorations out until New Years Day was over. Now, I have been known to start UNdecorating on Christmas night. It is amazing how ones perspective changes over the years.

Christmas was wonderful this year. I don't ever recall having an UNwonderful Christmas. I love to watch the boys reactions as they open up their presents. We went to San Angelo on Christmas Eve to the candlelight service at Johnson Street church of Christ where my uncle preaches. I was in tears as I sat there with all of my cousins, my parents, my aunt and uncle and my precious husband and boys. I love family. It was at that very moment that I missed my sister the most.

My heart was also heavy this year for my precious friend and her family. On Memorial Day, a tragic accident claimed the life of her 13 yr. old nephew. I prayed earnestly for them all day. The void in that large family must be indescribeable. Please pray for blessing and peace to be on this family.

I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I will post pictures soon. (correction: Wade will post pictures... I still don't know how)
Blessings!!!

Bryson's Christmas Program.

Bryson was excited about his Christmas program this year; he got to give part of the narration. He also likes to put on his suit!



Bryson smiling for the camara.



Bryson giving his narration part. Isn't that how it always goes someone's big head gets in the way!



Bryson during the group singing.



Bryson likes being in singing programs.

After Bryson's Christmas program.

After the Christmas program everyone gathered in the gym to pick up their kids and take pictures.



Brothers (they actually can get along sometimes)



It's become a tradition that after every little event that Bryson, Morgan, & Madison pose for a picture together. Bryson always wants a picture with his "girls".



Bryson and the blur we call Cason!



Cason gave Bryson's performance 2 thumbs up!!

Bryson's Christmas party.

Just some pictures from Bryson's class Christmas party.



Bryson enjoying pizza!



Bryson loved the Christmas party; but what kid doesn't enjoy getting candy and gifts?



Bryson helping to present a cross to his teacher for her gift.



Bryson with his teacher Mrs. Flowers.

Cason's Christmas program & party.

Cason was glad to finally get to be in a Christmas program. The pre-k and kindergarden had a combined program.



Cason got to be on the front row! I think it had something to due with him being so entertaining to watch.



He really sang out! I think he liked being on the front row.



His facial expressions were really fun to watch!



Cason with his teacher Mrs. Kirk.



Cason at his class's Christmas party.

Nana's & Wade's Birthday

This year due to several factors, Nana (Sherilyn) & Wade shared a Birthday. We had dinner at Sid & Sam's steakhouse then went back to the house for cake & presents.



Two peas in a pod! How many people do you know that want to share their birthday with their Mother-in-law? What? I'm the only one?



The cake was an issue; I wanted Transformers & she wanted Shrek. We finally decided on a plain cake with both our names.



Since we were sharing the birthday, we officially turned 96!



Cason was a big help! He helped us both open our gifts.



Nana & Papa gave me a new bible. I guess the old one wasn't keeping me in line. (actually I lost my other one; is that considered a cardinal sin?)

Opening gifts

We may have shared the party, but luckily we didn't have to share the gifts!



Nana opening up her gifts.



Nana got the "Smoke" DVD. A video about Tony Stewart, go figure?



Grandaddy's gift is always the right size and color!!!!!



Cason trying to steal my Birthday card.



I love my new bible!

Bryson's turn to be an Acolyte.

Bryson got a chance to help kick off Chapel by serving as an Acolyte; and lighting the candles at the begining of the chapel service.


Bryson enjoyed being apart of the chapel service.


Lighting the candles.


Had some trouble lighting this candle!


You may have to zoom in to see him, but he's there! LOL

Christmas Fun

My dear friend, Amy Jo, sent this fun meme to me on e-mail. I thought that it would be fun to post on our blog. I hope some of you will join in the fun. Here goes....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both

2. Real tree or artificial? artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? during Thanksgiving break

4. When do you take down the tree? depends on when I have time. Lately it has been a couple of days after Christmas.

5. Do you like egg-nog? yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? every baby doll I was ever given. To be honest, I would still find joy in receiving a baby doll.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? Wade

9. Easiest person to buy for? Bryson and Cason

10. Worst gift you ever received? I can't think of any

11. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation (I think you all probably know that by now.)

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? as soon as possible. Usually in October.

13. Have you ever recycled a present? of course

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? dessert!!!

15. Clear or colored lights on tree? colored on tree; clear on house

16. Favorite Christmas song? secular-Winter Wonderland; Christian- O, Come All Ye Faithful

17. Travel or stay home? It used to depend on the year. However, now that my parents have moved, I guess we travel every year now.

18. Can you name all of the reindeer? No. I can name the 7 dwarfs, does that count?

19. What is on top of your tree? Santa. Although I wish I had a beautiful angel like Larissa :-)

20. When do you open presents? Christmas Eve. Santa comes on Christmas morning.

21. Most annoying thing this time of year? traffic

22. Favorite ornament theme? this and that. I love everything. Especially the ones the boys make.

23. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Chicken spaghetti on Christmas Eve. Usually turkey and dressing on Christmas Day.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? A clean house and a long nap!

I tag EVERYONE! Merry Christmas:-)

Update

Hello to all of our friends in blogland. These past couple of weeks have been very busy and filled with sickness. Last Friday, Bryson threw up at school and had a fever. The stomach bug passed after 24 hrs, however he could not seem to kick the fever. Finally, on Sunday, I took him over to a good friend of ours to be checked out. Dr. James looked at his throat and said that it was probably strep and gave him some anitbiotic. (James is actually an OB/GYN. I'm going to have fun telling Bryson about that one day..."remember that time you were sick and I took you to the gynocologist....")

The smart and always on top of things mother that I am (HA!) stated that I should probably go ahead and start giving Cason the meds also. Of course I did not and Friday he came home with a fever. He actually kind of scared us because he had this HUGE lump on the side of his neck. What scared me was that he had his 4 yr. old immunizations on Wednesday (yes, I know, 8 months late, mother of the year...)and I was afraid that he could be having a reaction. Well, 2 hours and an ER visit later, we find out that he has strep. The lump was just an enlarged lymph node trying to fight off the infection.

So, that has been the story of our home. Even amidst the strep, we have made a couple of trips to see my parents and prepare for the holdidays. I love this time of year, however, it is never quite the same without my sister and her family. I always miss them most during this time. This next week is going to be a busy one. Starting today through next Tuesday we have 3 Christmas Pageants and 2 Birthdays to celebrate. The advent candle that we began lighting for this week is "PEACE". I pray for peace and a whole lot of Grace!

I hope you have a blessed and peaceful week!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM.....WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12-1

Well, my friends, football season is over in Odessa. As I sit here in my parents home, I am sulking. We played Euless Trinity today in Abilene. We played them earlier this year and upset them 37-3. Today the score was 38-14. The season was a blast. I will miss going to the games every week-end, however, there is a bright side. Wade was saving his vacation days just in case we made it to the state game. Now, he can use them to take Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. I am looking forward to Christmas...that is all I have to say right now. I am going to take a long hot bath in my mom's jacuzzi tub...and probably sulk some more. I think a night like tonight calls for a pot of decaf coffee and a late night viewing of "Christmas Vacation."

Permian VS Mansfield game

Finally, some actual photos from a MOJO game! Cherise and the boys went to Brownwood to watch Permian take on Mansfield in the first round of the playoffs.



Michael Allman and Bryson at the game. Michael is coach Allman's son, he and Bryson are the same age.



The MOJO fans were at the game in full force!



A picture of the players at the trophy presentation.




Darren Allman giving a post game interview; while his daughter Emily Elizabeth dances around him.

MOJO games are fun!

Going to watch Permian play is fun beyond just watching MOJO play football!


Bryson & Cason with the Allman girls; Abigail & Emily Elizabeth.



Brylie and Cason were glad to see each other!



Cason loves his uncle "Dodo" or "stinky feet" as he's also affectionately known.



Cason trying to keep Darran quiet.

Big Suprise!!

Darran suprised everyone by showing up at the game!!


The "cousins" watching MOJO! Brylie, Bryson, Cason, Sfrona, & Lawson. (Reagan was there too!)


Uncle "Dodo" holding Lawson at the game.


Darran, Tania & Sfrona suprised everyone by showing up to the game.


Cason, Brylie, Lawson and Aunt Darla enjoying each other and the game.

Family, Fun Times and Football

These past couple of weeks have been filled with fun times. The Friday before Thanksgiving, the boys and I drove to Brownwood for Permian's first play-off game. Wade had to work so we went with Susan Allman and her three kids. Susan's husband Darren is the head football coach at Permian. We were very proud of ourselves for driving by ourselves with all of the kids in tow. The boys and I met up with Matt, Darla and kids the next morning. We were playing against Mansfield High, which is the school district that Matt and Darla live in.
Darla and I had a HUGE surprise. While we were waiting in line to eat at Underwoods Cafeteria, my boys took off running towards this guy in the parking lot. It took me by surprise, since this is unusual for my boys. It was Wade and Darla's brother Darran, who just got back from a 14 month tour in Iraq! He and his wife, Tania, and their two girls, Reagan and Sfrona came to go to the game with us. Matt knew he was coming to surprise us and had secretly purchased tickets for us all to sit together on the MANSFIELD side at the game. Yes, I sat on the opposing side. It was so worth it to all be together as a family. I felt so sorry for Wade, who was stuck at work in Odessa. I cried for him.
I'm sure you are all wondering where all of the wonderful pictures are of this fun- filled family adventure. Well, I assure you they are tucked safely inside my camera. Wade has been trying for 2 days to download all of our pictures without success. Our computer is old and is having a hard time right now. So, rest assured, soon (I hope) I will post some wonderful pictures of all of these fun events. I even have pictures of the trophy presentation after the game. Since we were with the Allman's, the boys and I got to be down on the field. The boys were very excited!(and so wasI!) Did I mention that we won that game 60-21.
Stayed tuned for pictures...That seems to be a recurring theme with this blog...

Cason our little Power Ranger!

Ok, I finally got the Halloween pictures put on, so enjoy! Cason has become obsessed with the Power Rangers. He is always battling invisible enemies, & providing his own sound effects. (Darla, does that sound like anyone you know?)


Cason, aka the Red Ranger, Powering up! (or is he morphing? I can't ever tell.)

Red Ranger with his Power staff. Cason loves his costume, especially the fake muscles!

Cason at the Kooky Karnival. This kid has some energy! All he did was jump on the various jumpers for 2 hours straight.

Cason and his friends from school, giving us their best Power Ranger pose!

Bryson as Elvis

Bryson, our huge Elvis fan, wanted to be Elvis again! He had decided he wanted to be Elvis for Halloween before we got home from our trip to Graceland.


Here he's testing out the costume while performing a whole Elvis concert! ( I tried to get it on video, but he quits as soon as the camara comes out.)

Elvis is now leaving the building! These were taken at St.Johns Kooky Karnival.

Bryson with two of his best friends, Morgan & Madison. He calls them, "his girls."

Elvis and the pirate twins. (almost sounds like one of his movies!)