Merry Christmas, dear friends and family!
What a winter we have had – and it’s only been four days! But it seems like we have had cold and creepy weather since October. Does that mean spring will come in February?
This year has seen a lot of new adventures, mostly good. Nate, Jen, Chrissy and Jen’s mom Sherree moved into their new home in Hunker, along with Ninth Life Rescue. They love their new, very spacious SPACE and have settled in nicely. Autmn has tried several adventures of her own, but ended up returning – at least for now – to the Bull River Taco shop where she is working and seems to really like it there, while living with her mom and sisters.
Kelly’s family has been doing home renovations – and just currently rebuilt their family bathroom. It was a much needed upgrade. Matt left Staples to be sole owner and operator of Lawn Boys Landscaping. Peyton passed his driver’s test and is happily working for a farm up the road, taking care of animals and related chores. In addition, I believe he has two steers that he is raising. Logan will be 16 in April, and Chase is still lost somewhere in the land of Forte Night! Kelly is busy with everything that even comes near her, from making custom shirts, running 4-H clubs and Shooting Sports, running the house, raising the boys, and running sound at their church. She makes me tired just thinking about it!
My sister Kathy and her husband sold their home in Ft. Allen and moved into a great little community about 10 minutes from me. It was a chore to sort through over thirty years of life, but aside from a bump or two (still can’t find her CD’s!) she is happily settled. I was happy to be part of her team!
And speaking of moving, my friend Gen moved from near Buffalo NY to Albany (her son Chris’s family lives there). It was a huge change for her, but she has embraced the changes – as well as her 5-year-old grandson Jack and his very new baby brother Declan Graham Morris! Congrats to all of the wonderful blessings there.
I am very happy to be healthy, despite a November surgery on my neck (all is well and healed!). I love working for Pinnacle, and the guys are MY PINNACLE GUYS! I appreciate them; they are the cream of the crop! A lot of time and energy (and often finances!) has gone into maintaining my house and property, but it’s a labor of love. Still teaching Kindergarten Sunday School and the blessings there are innumerable.
Next to my family, the Skunk Hollow Girls (10 cousins all together) are my support system. I’m very thankful for them, and cherish the times we get together for our own version of adventures. We truly share, in hard times and in times of celebration.
It did seem like this Christmas evoked more memories of Mom, times on the farm, Shady Lane, and even out Home – more than last year. I think last year things were too fresh and our thoughts went to the most recent, harder times spent together. But now we are remembering all those good times, growing up, vacations, life lessons, holidays; the person that Mom was and will always be to us. I’m thankful for the transition to happier memories.
It’s quiet here now. I had Kathy’s family, my cousin Deb and her husband Jim, and Nate’s family here for supper after church. Blessings! Earlier I watched Dr. David Jeremiah’s WHY THE NATIVITY on Lifetime and enjoyed it very much. I turned off the TV in favor of Y108’s Country Christmas celebration and it makes me smile. Tomorrow I will attend morning church then go to Nate’s for dinner. We will celebrate as a family on Wednesday.
Wishing each and every one of you a blessed Christmas celebration, with the peace and gift of the Christ Child and His love for you tucked snuggly into your heart and mind. May 2023 bring joy and gladness, laughter, fun, comfort, and prosperity. Love and kindness to you each one. God bless…. M
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