Time passes by

I sent a picture of my kids to my aunt and cousins for Christmas as I do each year.

When I was younger, I got to go to FL every year to see my Dad. This is also where my aunt and cousins live (other side of the family though), so I would visit them. I was about 10 when the oldest (a girl, J) was born, then there was a boy a couple years later (P), and another boy a few more years later (D). I got to spend time with them when they were small. At age 16, I no longer went to FL each summer. So the "kids" stayed that age in my mind (about 6, 4, and 2). Of course, they grew up when I wasn't looking. It still astounds me that 2 of them are in college already.

So, I sent this picture to them. P wrote me the other day and said he just couldn't believe how big my kids are getting, that he still expects the older (7 now) to be a baby, because that was when they saw him. lol. I told him that now he kinda knows how *I* feel. They've seen them one other time, when they were 3 and less than 1, but it wasn't for a long period of time. 12 hours is a long way to travel to see each other, but worth it. We need to make a trip. :)

Christmas

We've done the cantata and the play. We've done the family dinners. We've done the traveling. We've done the gifts, giving and receiving. God has blessed us tremendously, even in the midst of our own self-made chaos.

We've also ALL done the stomach virus, one way or the other (or both. lol. ugh)

We got oodles of things that we wanted. We got things we didn't even know we wanted until we got them. :)

We have one more Christmas tradition left to do. Dad is coming to visit. He lives in FL, so he only comes once a year, like Santa. And like Santa, he gives gifts. Actually, he usually takes us shopping so we can pick our own gifts. It's fun. The kids love spending time with Papaw. We all have a lovely visit.

Celebration of ME

WOW! I'm super excited about all the winning I've been doing lately!

(Disney video is a spoof, but LOTS of fun. You can make your own. :) )

The winners are....

I assigned numbers....

I used random.org to draw two....

and the winners are....

Patty and Denise!!

I will be contacting you for your mailing information soon!!

Mother's Bracelets

http://braceletstories.com/

As I was entering contests for the Holiday Giveaway, I came across these cute mother's bracelets!

Holiday Expo Giveaway at Internet Cafe Devotions

My friend Crystal (Bricck) is part of Internet Cafe Devotions and posted on her blog that she's giving something away. Went to the Cafe link (as above) and have spent at least 2 days entering other people's giveaways. And I've been thinking... could I give something away too? Well, I can't be as generous as some of the others, but I am offering some of my own creations! I use Sculpey clay to make these American Sign Language "I love you" hands, as well as other small sculptures. The light one has a magnet on the back, the dark one has a pin.

To enter to win one of these (I'm giving away two), just comment on this blog entry and tell me what is your favorite gift you've ever GIVEN. Mine was tickets to Phantom of the Opera to my sister, who LOVES the play. Be sure to leave your email address if you aren't part of Blogger (if you are, I will likely get your e-mail when you comment.) Due to cost, I will not be able to ship overseas, so US only, please. Random draw of names leaving appropriate comments on or about Dec 12.

Thanks for reading. I don't blog often, but always appreciate comments! :)