WE LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin

Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born

Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth " MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVED ONES! May today be filled with everything and everyone you love.

Good-bye and I love you Grandma

Some of you had the honor of meeting my wonderful Grandma Carla. She had such a zest and zeal for life as evidenced by her constant smile and twinkle in her eyes. Grandma channeled that love of life into her swimming and dancing, her two biggest hobbies. Adorned with a swim cap and goggles, Grandma was all game to join us in the water for our surf wedding. This woman had so much patience with all the grand and great-grand kids. One of her claims-to-fame with us was that she taught all of us how to swim! Jahmia learned how to roll down a grassy hill, thanks to Great-Grandma Carla. As a little girl, she would take me to the convalescent homes where she worked as a movement therapist. What could be better than playing with balloons, parachutes and dancing! As a young adult, she allowed me to live with her while I transitioned from a move from OR to CA. She was fun. Because of her influence, love and encouragement, I choose to become a Nurse. Now 3/4 of the way done, I cannot believe she will not be there to see me graduate next June.

Life is not controlled by us. I'm shocked by her death. Yet happy that I was able to talk with her last Sunday (12/7). We talked about life and bringing each other up-to-date with what the current events. She was more than thrilled that the pool was open all winter this year. At 85 she swam almost daily! Every Sunday she attended the Friends Meeting House in Berkley, which she loved. I was able to thank her for all the times she took me to her work, to her dance classes, and for influencing me to become a Nurse. I got to hear her tell me how proud she was of me and how much she loved me. As we were saying our good-byes I told her that I loved her too, not knowing that it would be the last time. Saying good-bye and I love you, never felt so final before.

Conversations with Mia...

::December 4, 2008::

Wanted to relay this tender conversation between Mia & I earlier this week. We were on the way to her school, listening to her praise music (a standard for our car!) and the following unfolds...

Jahmia says out of the blue, "I love Jesus!"
I pulled into the preschool driveway, turn off the car. SMILE & respond, "Oh that's wonderful! Jesus loves you too!"
J says, "Mommy, how do I get to heaven?"
I opened her side door and gave her a hug.
The only thing that comes to mind to say is, Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." So I tell her (knowing that God's word does not return void and also "faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom 10:17).
J, "Thanks Mommy. Can I go now?" She runs to the door, opens it and yells back to me "Love you Mommy. Here's a big hug and big kiss!"

Wow! Hi-5 Jesus! That was all Him! I think I had a Mary moment. (see Luke 2:19)

It's begining to look like Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas has filled our hearts and home this year. For the first time in 6 years, we got a Christmas tree! Every ornament has meaning. Carefully hung, every little ornament glimmered as the scent of noble fir filled our tiny apartment.

My Grandpa Cecil had always given us ornaments, as did Cole's Grandma James. Grandma Olga always gave crisp dollar bills. With all three of them gone, those ornaments have an extra special value to us. We are reminded of their best qualities and special quirks, of how they always brought a smile to our faces and gave us more love than humanly possible! We always looked forward to Grandma James' homemade fudge and talking about current events. Grandpa Cecil was our movie buff and DJ. He had a song for every occasion. I can still picture him closing his eyes, feeling the music and tapping out the drum rhythm with his hands and feet. Grandma Olga had an impeccable memory, so conversations with her were packed with details, love and care.

My Auntie K's favorite holiday is Christmas! She also has contributed GREATLY to my Christmas cache. (Thank you! It's getting good use this year!)

She gave me (years ago) a table cloth with Christmas bears in formal parade attire playing the drum and trumpet. Anyway, we used it as our tree skirt. It's just beautiful and again adds to the meaning of Christmas for us. Sharing and spending time with loved ones, whether that "loved one" is in our family or in someone else's.

John 3:16 says "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loves us, all of us. He gave us Jesus. Jesus gave us life. So our aim, for everyday really, is to first LOVE. Love our family, friends, neighbors, and yes- our enemies. Secondly, to GIVE. God gave us the gift that kept on giving... ...Merry Christmas!

Oh that face

When someone asks Jahmia, "What do we celebrate at Christmas?" She responds, "Jesus' Birthday!" My heart is delighted to hear this. Then someone else asks her, "What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?" Jahmia looks at me, puzzled and says "I don't know."

About two weeks ago, Santa didn't exist to her. She really didn't know who he was. I must confess, it was my idea to introduce her to Santa. I met "Santa" one day at my clinical site. He works with the elderly at a local skilled facility. Gentle and sweet man he is. He told me that it takes him about nine months to grow and several whiting treatments to get Santa's white beard. For the last fifteen years he's be playing Santa for both public and private events.

Today, Jahmia met Santa. She also got to decorate a sugar cookie and got her face painted. Apparently she asked for a blue ball and a balloon. Who knew? On the way home she stated, "I had fun with Santa." (We did too!) Oh the face of one who has spent time with Santa...

How we spent our 6th Anniversary

With school almost done, we decided to "check out" for a mini-vacation. Our destination, Costanoa. http://www.costanoa.com/site.php This place is magnificent! (Much thanks to our dear friends for providing this treat!! We love you and cannot wait to go there with you!)

Trying something new, we reserved a tent bungalow. Both beds had heated mattress pads. The comfort stations were more than just a restroom, they included: indoor hot showers, heated concrete floors, a 24 hour dry sauna and an outdoor fireplace! The weather was stupendous! Highs of 70's, lows of 40's. No fog and no wind! All of us went to sleep really early and subsequently, rose very early. I've attached our Sunday morning picts. After a gimongous, five dollar breakfast of pancakes and bacon, coffee and OJ, we embarked on the hiking trails with some new friends. Jahmia spotted a boy her age at breakfast and just had to say hi! Well, for the next five hours Henry and Jahmia were inseparable!

We really enjoyed ourselves and hope to return there soon with our new friends!