2009 bites the dust

Another year, come and gone. I am glad to see 2009 ending. I started out the year feeling like I knew where it was headed but then there were many instances in which I was reminded that things change, people change and circumstances change. Although change may be good, it's not always easy to accept.

Thank goodness for my blogs that I just surfed back through to come up with lists for the good, the bad and the ugly of this past year.

I'll start out on a positive note with GOOD things that happened.
* Coaching Ashlyn's soccer team was a lot of fun and I'm glad that I got to share this job with one of my best friends ever - shout out to Jennifer.
* The kids enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, soccer, football and gymnastics.
* Clayson turned 12, Trey turned 10 and Ashlyn turned 6 and I am thankful that they are all healthy children.
* The Twilight series was enjoyable to read but I have yet to see either of the movies.
* One of my former students invited me to attend her National Honor Society induction, I was honored.
* I met Joe Montana and got his autograph.
* We bought a boat and shared quality family time on the lake all summer long.
* Jared and I took a trip to Cozumel with friends and had a great time.
* I started a photography business and have been so successful. It's a new passion.
* It snowed on Christmas Eve, finally a white Christmas.
* My brother got engaged to a great girl and I look forward to finally having a sister.
* Ashlyn was the flower girl in a cousin's wedding.
* Jared and I celebrated 13 years of marriage.
* I had an opportunity to witness to "Granny", my friend Sharon's mom, while she was in the hospital - she changed my life forever.
* I have the best friends ever! I have made many new friends and grown closer to many of the ones I've had longest. Some of my friends have been there to carry some of my burdens, talk me through situations and lend words of wisdom when I can't even think straight. (shout out to Rhonda, Amber, Sharon and Zan).

Unfortunately, there have been some BAD instances in 2009.
*I've lost a dear friend and would give anything to know why or what I could do to repair the relationship.
*Relationships that we hope will last forever, don't.
*Tension in family relationships.

And, the UGLY.
* Tears from teachers having to move to different campuses due to our change in elementary schools.
* Disappointing many, many people...

2009: I won't remember it as a great year because unfortunately, it didn't end up that way.



But, thank goodness, He offers hope for two thousand ten.

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (©1984)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.


As we enter the new year I plan to seek blessings in all that I do and to know that all things work for the good of those who love Him. We can't see the big picture but He does and thank goodness the will of God won't take us where the grace of God won't protect us.

Happy New Year!!

Christmastime '09

I have to be Scroogeish and say that this is the first time that I have been happy for Christmas to come and go.

We survived six Christmases and are blessed beyond reason.

(Papa's 12*19*09)

Tradition would have it that we have lunch, play the metal pipes and sing Christmas carols. The kids love playing the pipes and singing and as much as the grownups complain, they end up getting all into it. (Not me, I take the pictures). There is also some ping pong and other outdoor games going on when the weather is nice, and this year it was perfect.

Christmas #2: The Robinson Family

(at my house 12*20*09)

The tradition here is to get together with my Papaw's sister and her four kids, spouses, children and children's children along with all of us - totaling close to 40 people. Another gorgeous day for the kids to be outside playing football and riding the bad boy buggy while the rest stay inside and eat until it's almost gone and play games and/or watch football on the TV.

Christmas #3: Christmas Eve Breakfast

(mom and dad's 12*24*09)

Some years this works out but it all depends on the fire department schedule. This year my dad had to work Christmas day so we went to breakfast and took gifts for mom, dad, Jason and Megan just in case we could not make it to the gathering at Jason's house. The breakfast was so delicious - my dad can cook, too bad that skill was not passed down to me. Breakfast was also enlightening - learning that Trey had already snooped and found the trampoline in the closet that was supposed to be from Santa and he had showed it to Ashlyn. It was a good thing that I found this out or Santa's secret could have been blown for all three of them.

Christmas #4: Davis Family Christmas

(our house 12*24*09)

Many years ago we started having Christmas with Jared's family on Christmas Eve so that we could spend the entire day with them and not have to be back and forth between families. It's almost always worked out with Jared's fire department schedule and we cherish the time that we have together. His Mamaw and Pawpaw did not come due to the snowy weather and we missed them. The kids loved the snow and as always their Nana and Pop "hooked them up" with some great gifts.

Christmas #5: Daugherty Family Christmas/ take II

(Jason's house 12*24*09)

Because no one was prepared to give the kids their gifts at breakfast, we went over to Jason's for a couple of hours to continue having Christmas with dad. Potato soup and banana pudding (good job on that, Megan) were on the menu and what a perfectly cold night to enjoy both. SMU was playing in Hawaii so we had to keep our voices and our excitement to a minimum so Jason could enjoy the game... try telling three kids and two dogs to contain themselves...

Our family Christmas

On Christmas Eve night the kids talked us into letting them open one present. On Christmas morning the kids got up around 7:15 and we had the big morning with lots of surprises. Ashlyn got the bitty baby that she wanted, Trey got a new cell phone and Clayson (and Trey) got the PS3 they were hoping for. All was right in their world. We opened presents, cleaned up the mess, got ready and went back to my mom's and then over to D'Uan and Ralph's for the few things that still needed to be opened.

Christmas #6 (actually at this point it may be Christmas #9)

(Mamaw & Papaw's 12*25*09)

Our final Christmas gathering took place on Christmas day at Mamaw and Papaw's. It's always a great time with the cousins and little kiddos and it's even better when everyone is in a good mood. And, it wouldn't be the same if the "big kids" (myself included) did not have wrapping paper wars against each other. The day ended with us game junkies playing Chicken Foot (dominoes) but I left out early because I was losing...

So, now I am entering the next phase: extreme home makeover edition - Christmas is outta here ... as soon as this laziness wears off.

Hope you and your family had a great Christmas, emphasized Jesus' birth and made memories to last a lifetime.

The closer Christmas gets

the further I fall behind. The tree is up and the house is decorated but that's about all I can say is done. There are presents locked up in the Christmas closet but none wrapped and placed under the tree. Christmas cards are in envelopes but none are ready to send. I've got a gift list a mile long with no ideas. Are you sensing a little "bah humbug" ?! I really need to shake this feeling of being too overwhelmed. Most times I work better under pressure but not at Christmas. I need to get my act together and put some merry in my Christmas.

On Sunday we enjoyed a three hour gathering with some family that we have not spent time with in years. Spring Creek BBQ probably did not sign up for "all the rolls you can eat" for a party that lasted that long. The men were happy that the Cowboy game was on the big screen and during commercials they compared cholesterol counts and blood pressure medications. The little kids ran around the party room taking advantage of the grownups deep in conversation. The "older" women sat at the back table and our guess was they were discussing hormones and menopause. Us cool moms got a little loud and laughed a lot at memories we had growing up at Lake Tawakoni and trying to make plans for a girl's weekend at The Villages. We'd just better hope that there are no neighbors on either side of us if and when we do get together. (see picture below for obvious reasons)

It's my favorite time of year because I have such a great family to share the Christmas season with. Here's hoping you are enjoying time with friends, family and those you love most.