It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Finally

I think I'm almost, kinda, sorta, maybe finished with putting up our Christmas decorations this year. But I'm not sure. I have a nativity scene that some friends brought Greg from Africa and I haven't found the perfect place for it, but I'm working on it!

Here's our family tree - my mother beaded the tree skirt when Greg and I first got married. It's so pretty and makes me think of her.

I look forward to putting up the Christmas village each year. It's the first thing I get out. I have four pieces and don't want any more. It's perfect and makes me feel all "Christmasy".

On year my mother announced, "I'm not doing Christmas any more!" I think I was almost 40 and I couldn't believe it. No Christmas? Anyway, I came away with her collection of salt and pepper shakers - and I love them too. Beth got me the reindeer in Houston this year. They're payback for me keeping the granddogs. Aren't they cute?

I really can't explain my affection for these mechanical Christmas creatures. You push a button and they play Christmas music. Another thing that makes me smile at Christmas. The new edition this year is the black dog on the right. I played it for Tanner and Bruiser while they were staying with us. Tanner sniffed it and walked away. Bruiser hid behind my leg and barked. Silly dog.

Hey wait a minute! How'd that cow get here? I guess it's really a Christmas cow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Anniversary Time

Happy 2nd Anniversary Beth and Matt!

Kirksey Christmas!

Although it has taken me a little longer than usual, my Christmas decorations are finally up! We're not planning on having a party at our house or having guests stay with us this year, so I wanted to share with someone out there! :)




Here is our tree...it even has a couple of presents under it! :)












And here is our fireplace and mantle all decked out! I made the stockings a couple of years ago, and the wreath was last year's project. I guess I'll need to make another stocking for our new addition next year!









And this is our bookshelf (also in the living room) with garland on top and a sparkly nativity scene on the 2nd shelf.








Our Christmas plans this year include time in Tyler with each of our families, time in Houston with Tyson's extended family, and a family trip with Tyson's parents and brother to an undisclosed location...it's a surprise! :) We'll be going, going, going just like every year, but we feel blessed to be able to see everyone with our time off. I hope your Christmas is full of blessings, family, friends, and the joy of Christ!

Testimonies

We had a special night at Glenwood tonight. To honor the advent season, two young couples were asked to give their testimonies about the recent births of their children. Austin spoke with great sincerety about their struggle with infertility and how he saw God working in every aspect of their lives. They now have a new son named Tyler who is an answer to many prayers. Susan and Blake told their story of committment and excitement as they welcomed their daughter Scarlett into their family. He said that even her name is a reminder of the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus.

Surprisingly I was asked to share my thoughts on anticipating the birth of a new grandaughter. So of course I had to show a grandbaby picture on the big screen. Isn't she so cute!

I called Tyson today and asked if I could share their story and he said, "Of course, we just want to give God the glory." So I hope I was able to relate to my church family a glimpse of Sarah and Tyson's time of waiting and anticipation - how God truly blessed them with healing and a baby. Go to their blog at http://www.thekirkseys.blogspot.com/ to get all the details.

Of course I had to show Sarah in all her glory on the big screen.

Uh huh - the big screen :>)

Thanksgiving

The Grubbs and the Kirkseys got together again this year for Thanksgiving. We cooked, we ate, we played games - I think we ate again. Then it was over.

Sarah made "Momo Rolls". That is Tyson's grandmother's roll recipe. They were delish.

Beth and Matt went to Houston, but we got the granddogs.

Beth says I'm not supposed to give them treats, but it was Thanksgiving, so some turkey may have fallen on the floor, and the dogs may have eaten a piece. But that's just a possibility.

I think they must be talking about world peace - nah probably what's for dessert. Which was by the way pecan pie, chocolate pie, and cranberry trifle.
So - it was fun, it was fast and it was fattening!

It's a Girl Thing

This weekend Sarah and Tyson came to Tyler! So Beth, Sarah and I went to Mistletoe and Magic - the local Junior League Christmas Bazar. It was crowded, but fun. I bought my first Christmas present - earrings for Beth. Shh, don't tell her. Oh wait a minute, she picked them out. Since Sarah doesn't have pierced ears, she was uninterested!

What cow? Do you see a cow? I don't see a cow. OK, here's the deal. The lady at the jewelry booth noticed that I was having a little hot flash so she let me have her fan from Chick-fil-A. It's my favorite thing now. However, I think the cow must be mad at Sarah.

We came home - I made chicken enchiladas for supper. Beth brought some homemade biscotti and pumpkin crunch. So delicious. Then we played Speed Scrabble - Greg is the undisputed winner of that game! We also played Shanghai Rummy, a game that Tyson's mom and dad taught us.
I think Tanner and Bruiser wanted to play too. Tyson helped his parents remodel a house they are working on and Matt went for a bike ride that afternoon. Clearly the girls in this family really know how to have fun.

The Bump, The Belly, The BABY

Greg and I went to Dallas this weekend to attend a conference called Elderlink, which obviously is for elders. It was all about shepherding, legal issues for the church, generational differences, etc. You get the drift. We stayed with Sarah and Tyson and I had to take a picture of the "bump". So cute!





Actually I played hookie Saturday morning and Sarah and I did a little shopping and had lunch.




This is just a random picture that I took in our backyard last week - I wish you could smell the flower too! Hey maybe they could name baby girl Camelia - Camelia Kirksey has a certain ring. Well probably not.