Sadness for the holidays............

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

We received news early Monday morning (22nd) that Jim's mother, Eloise Dance, had passed away. She had been battling lung cancer and undergoing treatment. Thankfully, Jim had been able to visit and spend time with her the past two weekends.

We left Texas on Monday and stayed in Arcadia, LA. until after the service on Wednesday, Christmas Eve. The past few days haven't seemed like a holiday for us, but more a time for rest and healing.

Please keep Jim and his family in your prayers.

THE NUTCRACKER

Jim and I went to the Julie Rogers Theatre on Sunday afternoon to see the Beaumont Civic Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. It was a wonderful performance.
I have always wanted Jim to see "The Gospel According to Scrooge" performance at the Fayette Civic Center featuring John Gordon. It didn't feel like Christmas each year until we had gone to see this wonderful play. Hopefully, next year we will be able to attend the performance. However, if anyone knows how I can obtain a dvd/tape of the performance, please let me know. I realize that it will not do the play justice, but at least Jim could see it.

Eli trying to find that perfect spot......

Anyone with a dog knows the "ritual dance" a dog performs before doing their business. They sniff the ground, paw at it a little bit, dance in circles from spot to spot as if to say, "No, this is not the right spot" and move to another spot and do it all over again.

These pictures are of Eli doing his ritual dance, nervously pacing up and down the backyard fence trying to locate HIS spot under all the snow.

OK, I decided not to include the last photo, the one where he found his spot!

Houston, we have snow in SE Texas!

Arlington at Christmas

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell...

These wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington , Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

(This was emailed to us by Dennis and Linda Hill, part of our extended family in South Carolina. This picture really tugs at heart strings. During this holiday season, when you see a soldier in uniform, stop and thank him/her for your freedom!)

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever- present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name,

He knows our address too . He knows our history and future and

He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
JESUS has a heart full of love.
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,

repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree,
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.Unknown Author

At a time when people all around us are losing their jobs, work hours being cut back, sickness and personal problems, isn't it time that we focused more on Jesus! Yes, I too, love to watch children's faces light up when we talk about Santa coming to see them. But, Santa can NOT bring us what we are looking for.

Enjoy a wonderful Holiday season, but remember what the celebration is really about!

Tears of Joy.............

"Your hands made me and formed me..." Psalm 119:73

It is going to be a LONG wait until June 15, 2009! I started crying the moment Dan and Krisha told us the news, and have cried many tears of joy since that wonderful day.

While Krisha and I were shopping at Persnickety in Fayette on Friday (a cute gift, assessories and floral shop), I became "over joyed" with tears as we browsed through the many beautiful items for babies.

One item in particular caught my eye, it was a white receiving gown with the above footprints and Bible verse on it. However, the shop only had one ...and we need two of everything! I do not care if it is two pink items, two blue items or one of each! Those two babies are already a HUGE part of our family!

Please continue to say a special prayer for the babies and for Krisha. She is still experiencing a lot of nausea.

Getting over the Thanksgiving Holiday and starting Christmas...

I need to say this first, and then I'll have it out of the way...

Jim, Eli and I had a great Thanksgiving.....we were in Sweet Home Alabama! We were worried about Eli making the trip, but I got a prescription of Ace from the vet, and he did wonderfully.

Dan and Krisha stayed so busy visiting with all of their extended families during the holiday, but our time with them is always precious to us. We were able to get their tree decorated and put out other Christmas decorations. They were so blessed at their holiday shower, they will never have to buy any decorations.......except for the twins!

We went to Wayne and Anita's Thursday night for our family Thanksgiving dinner. As always, we ate too much! However, we had a great time with Chloe.

On Friday Krisha and I did a little shopping for Christmas decorations (for me) while Jim and Dan stayed busy doing something!

Saturday we had a GREAT day getting ready for the Iron Bowl. Jim and Dan smoked chicken wings while Krisha and I prepared the finger foods and other goodies. Danyell came to watch the game with us. Poor Dan, he was out numbered! We had four Alabama fans, (well, actually six if you consider both Beau and Eli wear Alabama collars!) and only one Auburn!! Did I say, poor Dan? I realize that it was very difficult for him, but hey, he has had the bragging rights for the past six years! It was time to give them back to the rightful owners!!! (Dan, we love you!)

Since returning to Texas I have s-l-0-w-l-y started to get out (ok, Jim got all of the decorations out of the attic) our Christmas decorations and getting everything looking festive. I have finally gotten up our main tree, Boyd Bear tree, and Eli's tree. But, that's it so far. Maybe by tomorrow I'll be finished with the rest of the house........then I have to start Christmas shopping!