Christmas "wrap" up

This Christmas turned out to be a little unexpected. The forecasters predicted a little rain Christmas Eve...a cold front...a chance of snow to the North...but they did not predict our little Christmas Eve "blizzard." I only say blizzard because that's what they're calling it due to our 50 mph winds. Measured in my back yard after all was said and done was about 3 inches of snow.

We thought it would be a quick snowfall, turning to sleet, so Caitlin and I ran outside to play a little. Robert was pretty unexcited since he grew up around snow. By Christmas Eve evening, everything was iced and the roads were pretty dangerous. Robert's brother ended up at our house, unable to get to his mom's. Justin couldn't make it down 377 to his parent's house in Granbury and ended up at our house too. There was no room in our Inn on Christmas Eve. We made the best of it and watched a movie.



Christmas morning was a little different this year. A white Christmas! But as per usual, everything was paralyzed so we got off to a late start. It was handy having Calvin and Justin there to set up my new TV. I'm very excited to have two great flat screens so I can watch movies in my room when the guys are over. Robert is now officially up with technology with his new iPhone.

My step-brother is visiting from culinary school in New York and cooked us a gourmet Christmas meal. So delicious. Then I had Christmas at the Paclebs that evening. It's always a lot of fun visiting with all of Robert's aunts. We were definitely blessed with gifts this year. I'm very disappointed that I didn't take my camera out at all after our little blizzard or during our Christmas. I feel like everything was pretty rushed this year.

On Saturday my mom and I went to Target and Babies'R'Us and loaded up on clothing and other items for the new addition to our family. Candice and Ken not only had a baby girl in September, but they also adopted their nephew who was born two weeks before their baby was. They officially got him Christmas Eve...what an awesome Christmas present. Mom and I went over to see baby Evan and give him an impromptu baby shower. He is adorable and has a little 'fro going. He is definitely a happy boy because he smiled all afternoon. Except when we were snapping pictures! It was really precious to see his new sister Victoria reaching out for him so soon.

And today was Christmas at my Grandma's. She is the most amazing cook and I always enjoy her creations. I also love seeing my cousins...they're hilarious and so much fun to be around.

Robert has come down with whatever crud I had and Ashleigh and Justin have. Poor guy is asleep on the floor right now. Tonight we started putting together the wedding favors. I can't wait to finish them this week. I need a little craft to keep my sanity in check.

In less than two weeks we'll be Mr. & Mrs.!

The Kindle Christmas...

Every year I help my little sister buy a gift for our mom because she can't drive and doesn't have any money. It's always fun helping her come up with the perfect gift - and sometimes a little stressful. Our mom is not easy to shop for.

So this year, we came up with the Kindle, Amazon's wireless reading device. It's perfect because my mom loves to read and loves to travel. She hates the bulkiness of books in luggage and loves technology. So I went ahead and ordered it for Caitlin to give to mom on Christmas.

Fast forward to yesterday when we were all in the car waiting for the final meeting with the florist. "Guess what I got myself from Tom?" mom asked. "What?" Caitlin and I reply. "A Kindle! And I've already taken it out and downloaded some books!"

Caitlin and I had to pick our jaws up from the floor. I was totally furious that she had bought herself a gift this close to Christmas. I know she felt really bad. What makes it worse is that her birthday is January 4 and we had tied her birthday gifts into the Kindle gift from Caitlin...a nice leather cover and a gift card for books. Guess what? She has already ordered herself the leather cover. Nice. Now we have two additional gifts to find in very little time.

And now, a mere two days before Christmas, it's too late to take the Kindle back and get something else. I've found a replacement present for Caitlin to give her but it's not nearly as sweet as the Kindle.

And now I have a Kindle for my honeymoon. Definitely not something I anticipated but I'll take the windfall. My mom will be on embargo next year in the month of December!

The passing

The holidays are always a celebratory time of year. A time with family, friends and sparkly, shiny decorations and gifts.

But sometimes we forget those who are going through a tough time or for whom the holidays are a time of remembrance of a loved one who has passed.

I have a co-worker who is dealing with the imminent passing of her husband. He is in hospice and she has been out for a few months taking care of him. We’re so blessed to work for a company that realizes your first priority is family and will give you the time you need, paid, and fellow employees who will supply you with everything else you need, including emotional support. You don’t find many large corporations willing to do that these days.

I talked to her today and felt her pain of knowing she could lose her husband and best friend of 25 years at any time. During the time of year when people come together and celebrate, she is alone in a hospice wing dealing with impending death. It made my heart hurt for her and so many others going through something similar. Through it all she has had a positive attitude and one of generosity. She came out to a service project we did and has asked that instead of sending flowers and cards that we give the money to a charity that will help someone when he does pass.

It reminded me of a few years ago when my grandfather was dying of cancer. He fought hard to be around for Christmas and passed away shortly into the New Year. It was so tough for our family but we all had each other to provide comfort. But not everyone has a family to support them.

During this time of year, when we tend to get wrapped up in gift giving and celebrations, take a moment to remember the ones you have lost or to comfort someone living through the pain of losing someone. The greatest gift you can give is your unselfish love to another.

Grandpa Karl
Christmas 2007