History and the Family Tree

Luke 2:8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

In the 3rd grade, the most important part of our Christmas program in the public school, was memorizing and reciting the Christmas story from Luke. KJV.

It still rings true today.  It's a part of my history.

To say, "I love Christmas" would be an understatement.  We have three Christmas trees in our house.  One tree holds special memories.  History.

This year, as Charlie and I put up our trees, I couldn't help but shed a tear or two.  The older I get the more tears I shed.  Some would say hormonal, sentimental, I would say, I've become more thankful for the small things in life, and extremely blessed.

Charlie called this particular tree, our "Family Tree".  Many ornaments represent different times and stages in our lives.

This ornament was given to Charlie and I our first Christmas together, almost 32 years ago.   It is my most precious and prized ornament.  Charlie reminds me many times that we have a great history together.  The intriguing thing about history, is that it is in the past. You can't live in the past. That would get old.  God calls us to live in the present and to depend on Him daily. He will supply all our needs.  Press on to the prize ahead. 

Memories can be tasted.
Most leave a mouth-watering taste on your pallet, savoring it to the end.  Some are an aquired taste, and can be testing.  But, testing memories, make you appreciate the mouth-watering memories all the more.

Our Family Ornament. 
Our family has grown a great deal.  We have been more than blessed!

Memories of our sweet little children. 

A Christmas Tree, with your child's art work, is a Christmas tree with history.

Sweet Savory Memories.

My sweet little Grandma Leachman made this little girl ornament for me when I was 12 years old. My Grandma was so funny.  She always made you feel loved, and always made you laugh!

This little angel hangs delicately in the tree.  When you push down on her halo, she recites the Christmas story from Luke 2.  Savannah loves this angel.  She carefully pushes her "crown" with her tiny little fingers, stands at the tree, and waits for her to speak.  The word of God is powerful.

The snowflake, was made by my friend, Beverly Allman's mother.  They are the most delicate snowflakes.  They add the finishing touches on the tree. Our tree is not complete without them.

"H" is for Hayes 

Hayes is the name my husband gave me.  For that, I am proud.

He tells me I wear it well.

He brought me this leaf ornament from Canada.  It is made from a real maple leaf, with gold plate.

He knows I LOVE Christmas.

The best gift I could receive for Christmas is time with my husband, kids and grand kids.  There is nothing like family.

I love it when my husband tells me that next to Christ, I am God's gift to him.

I am so thankful for him.  God is good.  

Alaska

Alaska.  
The sky was bluer. The air was fresher. The water was colder !!
I have never seen such beauty in all my life.  
God was definitely having a great time when He created Alaska.  
You cannot look at it's magnificent majestic beauty and
 not believe in an Almighty Creator.

Charlie and I were blessed and honored to have his parents on this cruise.  It was their first cruise.  Nelda just giggled with delight.  Bob grinned his serious grin.  But deep down inside, he was having a good time.

This is the love of my life.  I love this man!  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We can't wait to go back and see more of Alaska.  It's definitely worth seeing more than once. 

Silly Bear with Nelda and myself.

What?  Bob is grinning!!!

Another picture of Charlie and I.  This is on deck of the ship in the Glacier Bay.

Charlie and his dad.. This was a great day!
Note:  Bob is smiling.
We were about to board a Sea Plane to fly over the
Glaciers!

Anthony taking pictures of whales on our Whale /Otter Watching excursion.
We saw plenty of both!!  Some were really close!

My sweet husband carrying my bag.  What a man!  Boarding our Sea Plane.  I was scared to death, but ended up having the time of my life!!  It was great!

A picture says a 1000 words!

Walking around Victoria BC.  It was windy and cool.  My kind
of weather!

This is just sweet!!

Alaska

Anthony and Wanda!  Our newly created Cruising Addicts!!
So glad they were able to go with us!

Isn't he cute!  This is on Glacier Bay. 

Whale back coming up!

Hello!!  Mr. Whale Tale!

Glacier Bay!

Charlie, Me, Nelda, Bob Wanda, and Anthony!

Me and my love!

Reminds me of Genesis.  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Is this what God saw?
How blessed we felt to be there.
God is so good.

Sometimes ya just gotta slow down...

We have had a busy few months.

 That's not always bad, it's just busy....

But, I will be honest, when I get "busy"  too busy, to slow down and notice what is going on around me, it makes me a tad bit nervous.

I thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing time at the beach this year.  It seemed like Charlie and I were able to spend more time together just to talk, run, walk, shop, cook, play with the grand kids, laugh, oh how I love to laugh. We were able to slow down, and enjoy each other and thank God for all that He has done for us as a family, as a couple, as individuals this past year.  He (God) is never short on blessing us. 

 In the past five short years, Charlie and I have added three additions to our family, Ben, Jeremy and Brittani. That was all well enough, but then we were blessed beyond belief with what comes next!  Grand Babies!!

Savannah, Sam, Mason, Stella and Reid are the most adorable little things ever!  Charlie is the best grandpa!  Sam calls him his "buddy", and Savannah knows she is his "sweetie-pie!"  I don't fall to short on the list.  Savannah and I are shopping buddies, and Sam says I'm the best Maw ever!

Mason just likes hugs, and for us to give him whatever he points at.  We do.  Stella and Reid, are two months old, and as long as they are held, fed, and dry they are happy.

 We will have another Grand baby in August, Jeremy and Megan are having a little boy.  SWEET!!!  Then in January, Zach and Brittani are due with their third!    We are multiplying fast!!

 Savannah Roo at the beach !  Loving it!!

 Then there is Sweet Stella and Reid!!

 Sam is such a good Big brother!!

Loving on Stella and Reid.

 Mason is my little beach bum!

Even with all these wonderful blessing in our lives, we have to slow down, thank God above and rest in his arms for renewal.

I love it when my husband tells me that aside from Christ, I am his greatest gift from God.  God has given us both the gift of each other.  We are truly blessed. Life's not always easy, but God is faithful.  Life's not always predictable, but God IS. Life can be hard, but God's unfailing love and strong arms will carry you along.

Thank You Lord for all the gifts in our lives.