My Cousin Charlene

My cousin Debbie called yesterday with the sad news that her sister had passed away. I remember with great fondness my cousin Charlene. That is how I knew her. Little girls we were and close in age. We played together. I remember the sweet dresses Aunt Opal made for us and still cherish the photos of us in them.

The church is in the background.

The church next door to their house was always open and I remember Charlene and me playing church inside. We actually sang a special song together there during a Sunday service. We sang Just a Closer Walk With Thee. We played in the leaves on the road that led up to where Mike Shinn lived. We had so much fun when we spent the night at Aunt Opal's house and jumped on the beds playing Snap, Crackle and Pop. Staying in Huntsville meant we got to go to the Square and shop in the bargain basement, drink icy cold Cokes in the drugstore and go to the movies together. We played together with all our cousins at Grandma McCoy's house.

With Grandma and Grandpa McCoy

and Charlene's brothers, Glenn and Jimmy and

our younger cousin, Leonard Dean

Charlene with her siblings, Glenn,

Jimmy and Debbie.

Debbie is now the only one of them still with us.

Charlene and I spent three days together one summer at Grandma's house and it was so hot outside. I was about 8 and she was 9.  We came inside from playing all hot and sweaty and went into the back room where the bucket of water was and the dipper. She took off her clothes and began to pour water over her head to cool herself off.

I remember the night she gave birth to her first baby and hearing her cries wondering how a person could ever endure such pain. She was blessed to have her beautiful children and it was plain to see she loved them with all her heart and her grandchildren and great grandchild and how proud she was of them. Distance separated us over the years and I'm sorry I did not get to know and be close to her as an adult, but I can see she has left a legacy of love to them.

God bless and comfort all her family as they share all their wonderful memories and say not good-bye, but "we will see you again one day."

love, Connie

Weekend Recap

After spending another nerve wracking afternoon at the ER on Friday, they finally were able to stop the nosebleeds for DH and we went home thankfully ... and me praying that they would cease and desist. Too many things going on that we didn't want to miss out on. Like this, for instance:

This boy had his bag packed with everything he needed, along with four baseball caps, each one of which has a special meaning for him. The one he chose to wear was his "happy hat!"

Sweet kids staying with us this weekend so Mommy and Daddy can have an evening of Christmas fun with Dad's firefighter buddies.

What a good-looking twosome!

So, off we go with the kiddos to The Gift of Christmas, with fingers crossed that Jack would be able to make it through the two hours. While we waited in the lobby of the church, Jack noticed the bookstore and asked if we could go inside. He browsed through all the books and look what he picked out for himself! A Bible. 

"I can read this!"

And read he did, while we waited. So proud of him.

Also in the lobby or foyer of the church!

This is one of my favorite parts of the performance. You can't tell, but the arch of white is actually a circle telling in images the story of Christmas while Michael Neale sings Come That Close Again, which is a powerful song! The gifts and talents in this church are truly amazing!

Wise Men come to worship.

A little silliness in the morning.

All I want for Christmas!

If these kids ever give up their love for stuffed animals, they can open up a shop and make a lot of money!

And Jack got second place in the jui jitsu tournament!

Friday Foto Friends

It's Friday Foto Friends! Linking up with Deb at Breathing in Grace.

A most unusual sunrise earlier this week.

November afternoons

Funny how the trees lean the way the wind has blown them

Pretty skies

My brother and Susan got to visit their son on Thanksgiving and be with their new granddaughter, Tenley. She is growing quickly and is so cute.

Very nice birthday blessings for Susan. Flowers, being with family for Thanksgiving and new granddaughter!!!

Sitting pretty in her high chair

Helping Mom in the kitchen

My tummy ready for dinner, too!

Holding up my head for Daddy!

Precious girl. I hope to see you someday.

Noah with his team showing off their trophies from the tournament this past weekend.

He's either tired or bored or didn't really want his pic taken.

Cinnamon rolls I made last weekend!

Happy Friday! We will be taking Kate and Jack to the Prestonwood Christmas Spectacular this weekend. Praying Jack will be able to sit through the two hours of spectacularosity!!!

A Christmas Carol Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge Fun!

1. What title would you give this current chapter of your life?

A Change of Command

2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what's the most common thing you microwave? 

Melting butter or heating occasional leftovers

Could you get along without a microwave? Probably.

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?

Silent Night. How wonderful it would be to kneel by the manger where Jesus lay with Mary watching over Him tenderly as the glory streamed from heaven and experience the peace that glorious night. To see the shepherds there still in awe of the angels they had seen in the sky announcing a Savior had been born and for peace on earth, good will to men. His birth, the dawn of redeeming grace. Those are the thoughts from the song, but I wonder what it was really like that night for Mary and Joseph. 

I know it didn't quite look like this that night, but this is what it looks like in one of my little corners. 

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you've ever taken. 

Through Switzerland and up to the Matterhorn ... I think. 

5. What's something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one)

I really don't have a list. I have everything I need. If I did have a list, it would be for a nice camera and someone to teach me how to use it. 

Figuratively speaking, it would just blow me away to wake up Christmas morning and see the news headlines containing statements that haters had come to have a change of heart. They decided let's all work together and bring the word "united" back to our states again here in America. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm kinda blah today. But I've taken some really pretty drives through some great scenery in Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, the Rocky Mountains, Canada, New England, Italy, Hawaii and Israel. I enjoy driving through our neighborhood right now and seeing the Fall colors. So much beauty in God's creation. 

We attended a little concert at Kate's school this evening to see her sing with the chorus. It was so sweet to hear them sing Christmas carols and not just secular songs, but Silent Night and a Jewish song as well. They sang the verse of Silent Night and then did the song in sign language. 

Kate, front row, second from the right

I don't need anything for Christmas. My cup overflows!

Friday Night with Jack

Kate spent the night with us last weekend, so turnabout being fair play, it was Jack's turn this past Friday. 

We watched him at the Jiu Jitsu sparring on Friday evening. He managed to pin down all his opponents including this girl with him in these pics. She was brutal!! This isn't something I can see our Kate doing, although these days I guess it is good for a girl to be able to defend herself.

Jack read three bedtime stories to us before we went upstairs for bed. He is reading so well and loves to read. That makes me happy.

We had an interesting conversation while Jack took his shower. Out of nowhere came this unexpected statement: "Nonnie, I don't believe in Santa Claus." Really??

I knew that Kate no longer believes, so I asked him if someone had told him there is no Santa. He said no, he just knows there is no Santa Claus. Well, that is perfectly fine with me. He knows where the gifts come from.

He did ask me to ask him questions about it, which I did, such as, "does Santa really have a big enough sleigh to hold presents for every single child all over the world?" "Do reindeer really fly?" "Does he really come down the chimney?" Nope, nope, nope! Then, being Jack, he cracked me up with this: "I do believe in Elf on the Shelf!" LOL!

On Saturday, I made cinnamon rolls for him, his favorite. He and Grandpa played Bingo while I fixed breakfast, then we played a little basketball, catch, and went to the park.

On our way to the park, he had to stop and look at the display in a nearby neighbor's yard. He loves penguins, so he had to have his pic made here.

Guess it's still okay to be seen with Santa and his reindeer even if you don't believe in him.

It's nice they are able to swing themselves these days. I can sit on the park bench and just enjoy or swing beside them.

We had to go shopping, of course. Jack thought we needed a Pie Face game at our house. He remembers all the fun of last Christmas with that game.

No, it turns out what he really wants is a can of whipped cream to shoot in his mouth! What a boy!!!

The ordinary days ... the simple things. These are my favorite days.

Next Saturday both Kate and Jack will stay with us. I have tickets for The Prestonwood Spectacular Christmas show and it will definitely be an extraordinary day!!! So excited!

I like extraordinary days, too!!!

And really, no day is ordinary that you get to spend with loved ones, is it?