It has truly been the most wonderful time of the year and what an amazing way to end the year. I love the entire season of Christmas beginning with the fall of the year and continuing through the chill of winter into the beautiful holiday season with all its festivities. The very best part is the time we spend with our friends and loved ones and this year was one of the very best. Ours began with everyone being here for Thanksgiving and having so much time together over that holiday. It was tough when Erika, Jack, and Leighton left after Thanksgiving to go back home to Idaho but I've learned that the best way to deal with struggles (and even heartaches) is to get busy and get involved and that is exactly what I did. I got busy trying to make plans and arrangements for Christmas and all the things it entailed. Yes, I believe in all the magic of the Christmas season -- the celebration of our Savior's birth, the lights and sounds of the season, and Santa Claus. This Christmas I wanted all of the above to be included and I believe my family would say it was all covered.
One of the highlights of Christmas and a favorite tradition we have is the Dinkins Christmas Party -- the one with all my dad's brothers and sisters and all their families. It is the Saturday before Christmas every year and each year one of the seven siblings take a turn in planning and preparing for the party. 2009 was our year -- and I think it was a great one! Tiawanna, Byron, Susan, Ginger, and I began making plans so that Daddy would be so proud in front of his brothers and sisters of the party this year. Joey provided music which was fabulous, with the 3 Dinkins' sisters (Ronella, Jane, and Teresa) performing with him for "Blue Christmas" -- it was great! They had a great time and it was fun for everyone. We shared a wonderful potluck meal, shared stories of the past about Grandma and Grandaddy (Tessie and Odell), laughed, played Dirty Santa with our gifts we exchanged, and just had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company. I think Daddy was very happy at how everything turned out and Susan did a fabulous job with the decorating ideas and her finishing touches with the decorations and greenery.
The other highlight we enjoyed before Christmas was going to see the live nativity show called "This Man Called Jesus" in Lexington. The kids and I used to go every year to this and I'd missed it for a few years and was so excited that Joey, Abby, Alex, and I were able to attend this year. I missed the other kids getting to go but it's tough getting everyone's schedule together at times, even at Christmas. This show is so touching and covers the life of Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and resurrection -- it is amazing. Joey was so glad we were able to go.
Addison and her boyfriend, Brian, stayed busy attending many Christmas attractions including the lights at Riverbanks Zoo, the lights at Saluda Shoals Park, and many other local attractions. Addison is alot like me -- she loves all the Christmas lights and Brian was so thoughtful this year taking her to so many different attractions. They had a really nice Christmas together.
This year was really special, too, because Joey was actually off work on Christmas Day! For the past 6 years he's worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and now for the next 6 years he should be off for Christmas -- it was a treat having him with us on Christmas Day and waking up together after Santa came! :)
Santa was really good to our family this year and it seemed everyone got exactly what they'd asked for! Addison got a treadmill and a new Blackberry phone, some clothes and shoes, and some other items. Ethan got some new clothes and a new jacket, a new phone and some other things. (He was especially thrilled to get 18 new pairs of socks -- he hates washing socks! Ha!) He's always so fun and it was wonderful to have him here with us Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Abby got new clothes, too, and two new pairs of Dansko's she'd asked for and was so happy. Alex received new clothes as well and a new football and some other small items. Joey was pretty happy that he received a guitar processor that "Mrs. Clause" had heard him mention a few months ago (I was more excited than him to surprise him with it!!!) and some new clothes, a wallet, and some other little items. And for me, well, I must've been much better than I thought because "Santa" brought me a laptop -- and I was so shocked! He was so good to me! I also received these musical note signs that go on the wall with a saying on them that reads, "Anyone who thinks sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain." Joey and I love to dance in the rain outside so this was especially meaningful. It was such a good Christmas for everyone!
I'd baked and cooked all day Christmas Eve and this was one thing Joey was so excited about -- all the goodies sitting around to munch on over the long weekend with everyone. Sausage Balls, No Bake Fudge Cookies, Banana Bread, Pumpkin Nut Bread, Meatballs, Pigs-n-a-Blanket, and a huge pot of Chili -- just to name a few of the things we had...yes, he was in heaven! Early Christmas morning after waking Erika called and we watched Leighton with her new presents via SKYPE and it was precious! She laughed and played and I was able to almost feel like I was right there -- I just wanted to reach out and touch her hand so bad! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home with the kids and then headed to grandma's house the evening of Christmas Day and it was so fun. We spent some time at the Hornsby's visiting with Mrs. Hornsby's brothers and their spouses and shared some laughs with them. Then we headed to my parents' house to continue with the festivities of the day. Almost all the little ones were there -- Spencer, Andrew, Carson (all in their Carolina/Clemson attire), Will, Maddie, Cole, and Hunter -- we were missing Leighton and it would have been complete. The kids were all so excited about what Santa had brought and playing with their new toys. We enjoyed a wonderful meal Mom had prepared complete with every kind of dessert you could imagine for Christmas. It was just heavenly...Yes, this is what Christmas is made of -- family, love, good food, friendship and fellowship, and the spirit of LOVE abounding -- this is Christmas.
Christmas 2009 has been one of the very best -- we have so much to be grateful for. It was a beautiful season complete with everything Christmas means to me. I so wish every year that this feeling could remain in the hearts of everyone everyday of the year. Voices are kinder, smiles are sweeter, feelings are tender, and the world just seems to be more loving. It is such a beautiful time of year -- not only in the eyes of men but in the hearts of all mankind at Christmas. What a tribute to Jesus Christ, what a great gift to have this kind of love in our hearts for all His children this Christmastime. My hope and prayer is to carry this feeling well into the new year and to try and do all the good I can with all He has blessed me with. Yes, it is the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
