Looking forward to 2013 and being a grandmother!!!!

     It is two days till the end of 2012. I can't begin to list all the changes that came around in 2012. Let's see if I can try, though...decided to move from Texas to Alaska, sold most everything we owned to get to Alaska, spent June at South Padre Island, Ryan and Jon decided to move with us, the Texas Caravan made it to Juneau in 9 days, we all got new jobs, we all moved into new homes, we found out Juneau is filled with great people, we celebrated a wonderful 32nd wedding anniversary (James and me), loved having Thanksgiving with our new neighbors and friends, and had the most beautiful white Christmas you have ever seen....but the most exciting thing happening around this family is Ryan and Jon are having a BABY and James and I are going to be grandparents...and Caleb is going to be an uncle!!!!! Now, I know this is not news to anyone keeping up with my blog, but I just don't think this event can be topped...nope, sorry...this is the best thing about 2012. And when the baby angel gets here in July 2013, the baby will be the best thing about 2013. Hands down...no question...and I mean it. I have waited years for this grand baby...other friends were just having grand babies left and right, and I kept saying things like "When Ryan is ready, she will get pregnant". I did want her to be ready. I hope she is  since it's a little too late to turn back now. And bless her heart, she is so morning sick and so tired and so cranky, but we keep encouraging her and know she will feel better soon...second trimester is here and things are going to improve...I hope.

     So on the 1st day of January, 2013, I am whipping up a big ole pot of black-eyed peas and going to make everyone eat at least a spoonful. We trust God with all of our hearts, but it never hurts to have a little luck on our side...luck is something that our family doesn't have a whole lot of, but we continue forward and trust our Jesus...Happy New Year, dear family and friends...it is going to be a GREAT year! Woo Hoo!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

     Having lived in Texas my whole life till now, Christmas in Harlingen usually consisted of winds out of the south, at least 30 mph, lots of hot temperatures, and never a need for a sweater. Never...well, unless you count the 100 year snow in 2005, but that shouldn't count as it probably will never happen again. Yes, it was fabulous and we loved it and we couldn't believe that it happened on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!! It was almost like a Christmas miracle. We lost electricity Christmas Eve, and didn't have any till 5 p.m. on Christmas Day. Having no electricity was really great...we lit candles and opened gifts by the candlelight. We made snowmen, snow angels and ate leftovers for Christmas dinner. And the kids remember it as being the "best Christmas EVER"!

     Here in Juneau, in the winter, it is like Christmas every single day. The entire community puts up lights and let me tell you, that really helps your mood. It is dark here by 4 p.m., and those beautiful Christmas lights warm your heart. Snow and Christmas lights are a grandiose pair! I could easily keep my Christmas decorations up all year, here in Juneau. But I won't, because it probably would get old in the summer, when the sun never really sets.

     Having James gone so much has been really hard on us all. We are trying not to whine and pout but we are not doing too well. The kids miss him so much, and I miss just having him right here with me, as he has been for the last 32 years. So when James got home Saturday night, he came home to a rousing hero's welcome. Lots of hugs and kissing and crying and hanging onto each other, blessed to all be together again. Ryan is really missing her daddy, and we blame it all on the pregnancy. James is so happy to be home and he loved the Christmas decorations and the homey feel I tried really hard to impart.
     So as the Christmas season continues, we will cherish the times we have together and try not to cry and pout, since Santa Claus is coming to town...ok, that was a little corny, but I am a nerd, underneath all the glitter and sparkle! Merry Christmas, Y'all!