It's been a very Merry Christmas 2007...

What a beautiful Christmas season it has been at our house. Being a little under the weather this time of year made things a little different because I was moving a little slow and not able to do a lot I would have like to have done for others but I am so touched at the generosity of my loved ones and the charity they've demonstrated. We had such an amazing Christmas. It was way different without Erika and there was an empty spot in my heart and our home but hearing the excitement in her voice as she and Jack traveled from Idaho to Utah to spend time with his family at their cabin and the fun she and Jack had spending their first Christmas together as a family filled that spot with more love than I can explain. They are so cute and sweet together and it just does a mother's heart good to know your children are happy. What a great family she married into--they are just amazing! And I think Jack married into a pretty good one, too! Ha!

One thing was different this year--our Dinkins Family party with my daddy's entire family was postponed because my Uncle Paul in the hospital in ICU not doing well so our prayers go out to Aunt Ronella, Uncle Paul, and their children and grandchildren and hope he will recover if it is the Lord's will. We love you all.

On Christmas Eve we met at Mama's and had a wonderful feast! Mom had her traditional oyster stew, deli meats, shrimp, and so much more!!! Then there were so many desserts--Tiawanna's famous fruit salad, fudge, apple pie, and Byron's favorite--red velvet cake! Oh my how we enjoyed it!! After enjoying all the delicious food Ginger read the Christmas story from the Bible and we all joined in singing Christmas carols. Maddie performed several songs and Addison sang a solo as well. We have some great musical talent in our family! (I'll have to do a complete post on this subject sometime...) Then at the request of the younger family members it was time to open gifts! It's so fun to watch the excitement of the little ones with the presents--the anticipation, the thrill of tearing open packages, and the long-awaited visit from Santa! Their excitement brings out the child in all of us! Spencer, Andrew, Carson, Maddie, and Will were just absolutely precious! Ethan had painted a bird feeder for Daddy and Mama with "Dinkins Country Cafe" on the sides and Daddy really loved it. Ethan was excited. We gave Mom a beautiful Tiffany lamp she'd been eyeing in the stores and I think she loved it. We'd decided not to do gifts this year as we normally draw names but no one adhered to this--each family had something for each other and it was so sweet! Tiawanna gave us candy and an ornament (she's given us a new one every year and I LOVE them!!) and a loaf of delicious cranberry/pumpkin bread with a beautiful poem with it. She is so thoughtful and giving. Byron and Susan gave us an ornament and a gift certificate for Longhorn--YUMMY! (Joey will love that date, too! Ha!) Byron had also done a huge thing for me before my surgery this month -- his is also vey giving and kind. Ginger and Shaun gave us the most delicious, most incredible homemade sugar cookies you've ever tasted! (And they're almost too pretty to eat!) It was so sweet. Jenny and Brandon traveled to Washington, DC to visit Jenny's dad for Christmas but brought brownies over before they left--she's so sweet! Oh what a fun time we all had. Erika and Jack called during the festivities and Mom and Dad opened their gift while she was on the phone--yummy Idaho Spuds chocolate candies and a movie. (I found out later Erika and Jack had mailed each individual family a Christmas package and I was so touched because I know how expensive the postage alone is--they are just so special--she goes above and beyond.) One incredible thing that happened that night too was the moon--did anyone else notice the moon late Christmas Eve night? As we were leaving Mom's we were all outside and Susan announced, "We better go, it looks like Santa Claus is circling around..." and we when looked up there was this huge perfect circle around the moon with one single star inside the circle. It was beautiful! After hugs, kisses, I love you's, and Merry Christmases we parted for home to bring in Christmas day.

Joey had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 7 AM - 7 PM but joined us when he got off each day. However, I woke up Christmas morning at just before 6 AM to the welcome aroma of bacon and grits--Joey had cooked Christmas breakfast for the kids and me before going to work! He is just amazing every day! Santa had come and Ethan and Addison hurriedly ran to the living room just like when they were small to see what goodies awaited them! It was so much fun! Ethan was very happy that he got the Guitar Hero games he'd hinted around about and some other fun things. Addison was happy about her new shoes and an Ipod docking station/alarm clock radio and other gifts. She got the Gilmore Girls Season 7 DVD from Joey and loved that. We opened our gifts from Erika and Jack and I got a new Willow Tree angel (I love these!) and it's the "Thinking of You" one. Addison and Ethan gave me new earrings and a memory foam pillow and I was so touched! We'd agreed that we were not doing much this year and they all went way above and beyond. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast Joey had made then Addison and I took another snooze while Ethan rocked out with Guitar Hero.

Later in the day Ethan and Addison went to Lexington to visit their dad, Donna, and Ivy. Ivy is too cute and was so excited they were coming. (She is 4 years old and so very very intelligent!) They had a fun time and visited their Gilbert family also and I spent the largest part of the day in my pajamas listening to Christmas music, talking to Erika and out of town friends on the phone and baked a caramel cake to take to Joey's parents and one for Tiawanna (her favorite!) When Joey got off work we picked up his children, Abby and Alex and headed to his parents house, making one stop by my wonderful home teacher's house (Brother Dave Adams) to drop off a gift. (He's the best home teacher EVER!!!) We had another delicious feast at Mr. and Mrs. Hornsby's house and such a fun time. Joey has such dear sweet parents. His family is a lot of fun, too, and we had fun laughing with Uncle Floyd. It's never a dull moment when he's around--he is so funny! Joey had wrapped his Daddy's gift (some new pants) in an iron box and we got a kick out of watching him look at the box with what he thought was a new iron and saying, "I think this must be for your mama, son." We had such a nice time with Joey's family and they always make me feel so welcome and at home--it's a great feeling...

I have so many fond memories of this Christmas--way too many to list but the most important thing is the feeling in my heart. Oh how I want this feeling to stay in my heart. I have so many things I'm so grateful for this holiday season. The Savior's Birth being at the top of this list and and the feeling of Christmas as we celebrate Him. One of the sweetest things I heard at church on Sunday was a quote Donna Goff gave us in her beautiful lesson and it is:

"Have you ever wondered why God announced the greatest birth in human history to a handful of shepherds on a hillside and a few wise men from the East? Perhaps it was because they were quiet enough to listen...eager enough to know...available enough to follow!"

I want to adopt this analogy into my new year's resolutions...may we all remember the meaning behind this beautiful season and follow the example of our Savior and friend, Jesus Christ whose birth and life means everything.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a joyous new year.