Well, we were busy. Everything went smoothly. We saw most everyone and had a nice Christmas.

Christmas day was the busiest. We got up and opened stocking stuffers, but didn't have time for other gifts, because I had to be at church early to practice with the bell choir. We played three pieces Christmas morning. And for only three practices we did fairly well.

We didn't get to finish up our gift opening until after dinner. Our daughter took the longest to get her things unwrapped. Being only 1, she got distracted a lot. I think it was Wednesday before her last gift was opened and even then, I opened it.

Off to our first Christmas dinner. We are going to my husband's dad's house for dinner and gift exchange. Then to church for the Christmas Eve serivce, where we, the choir, will be performing "One Incredible Moment," this year's Christmas cantata.

Tomorrow is our little family's Christmas and present opening, then church, than Christmas with my parents and sister at our house, than Christmas dinner at my cousin's, than back to our house to finish up with my parents.

Then on Monday we are off to my husband's mother's house for Christmas with them.

Yes, a busy weekend. But we decided one family a day. We didn't get to my husband's family Christmas dinner. We just couldn't do two in one evening. It will be their turn next year. We also should see my husband's mother on Christmas day next year. They rarely see us on the actual holiday.

We are finished decorating. It was hard this year. My husband was not into it like past years. His grandfather's death is weighing on him.

Our daughter helped in the decorating. She put up a few ornaments, with mama and daddy helping. Though, she did get one on the tree all by herself. She has also helped in the undecorating, though she is unaware that doesn't happen for a while yet. She is all too glad to move things and rearrange them.

We are also a little behind on the present wrapping. In fact, I think none are wrapped. I'll get to it sometime, I suppose.

Last night was the final rehearsal for our Christmas Cantata. I very much enjoy singing in choir.

Another favorite Christmas song of mine is "One Quiet Moment," by Glad.

It talks about a woman and man, who accept their part in God's plan. It talks of the joy and pain of their lives.

"He almost had left her, but then chose to remain
Close by the woman he had not even kissed
Who would bear him a son that would never be his."

"And some days the fingers that had fashioned the stars
Would reach out to hold them when the walk was too far."

"They wrestled with knowing that his life would bring change
Their friends would grow distant and shun them as strange."

"Their baby was destined to die for the world."

In one quiet moment, how do I choose to be part of God's plan?

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry. As an aside, I find it quite interesting that he wrote this song, since he is a comedian. The song is rather reflective and contemplative.

I can not even imagine what Mary went through. Not as a pregnant women, who must tell her betrothed of this impending birth and convince him that it is a miracle and not unfaithfulness. Not as a very expectant mother traveling on a donkey to an unfamiliar place with her husband, the only person she knows. Not as a new mother holding her baby, who is God. Not as a young mother teaching her son about a world he made. Not as a mother witnessing the miracles her son is doing. Not as a grieving mother holding the body of her son, who has now delivered her.

Mary, the favored one of God. Did you know?

We got our tree up. No lights or ornaments yet, though. We have it on a platform, because my husband has his lego trains. Last year we set up our little lego town, but our daughter is not ready for that yet. So, it's just the train this year.

She will be getting a legos quattro bucket for Christmas. They are four times as big a regular legos. We have to start her early.

Today my husband was up at 3:00 to take his aunt and uncle to the airport. The weather wasn't the best, so they were allocating plenty of time. As it turns out, the roads were fine and they made it in plenty of time.

My husband was able to come back home before leaving for work. The past week and a half have been quite draining for him emotionally. This Christmas will be different for him.

The service was very nice. We sang songs, which was a joy for his grandfather. Several people shared touching memories of how his life met theirs. Two of his children shared their love for their father through childhood stories and lessons learned. We heard stories about his grandfather we did not know. We saw a video of his grandfather talking about his time in the navy during WW II. It was good to "see" him again and here him tell some of his experiences. My own grandfather was in the war, but he could not talk about.

It was a hard day. My eyes where filled many times. Touching moments were when taps was played, his flag was folded, and then family members could put flowers on his casket.

It was also a very cold day. The temperature was near its lowest that week. We had to dress warmly for the interment. The cemetery had metal chairs, but they had covers on them (which was somewhat amusing to see.) We also had to be careful walking through the packed snow.

But hearts were warmed by the generosity of church members and family that helped with the busy work. My husband's mother was very helpful in watching our daughter, so that we could give full attention to the service. She also gave of herself to help my husband's family.

We got our Christmas tree today. We'd like to set it up soon, but probably won't get to it for a little while. Christmas decorating is on hold.

The service for my husband's grandfather is this Wednesday. I am making cookies for the meal afterwards. My husband's aunt and uncle are flying in and his cousins are driving up on Tuesday. They all live in South Carolina.

It is nice ot see his southern family, but we would prefer other circumstances.

My husband's grandfather died today. It was sudden. And although there is sadness, there is no despair. We know where he is. He has met his Lord Jesus, and is having a great time. Kicking up gold dust, as the pastor says.

I used my stand mixer tonight to make mashed potatoes. What fine mashed potatoes they were, too.

Using whole milk instead of skim doesn't hurt, either.

Stand mixer.

That's all I have to say.

My husband and I drove to dog and bird sit while my best friend was at her grandmother's funeral. We were driving along in our automobile obviously not paying attention to what exit we were suppose to take. About thirty miles down the road, we realized we had made a mistake. So, off we went across Delaware to get back on track. We took at least an extra half hour on that trip.

Kashi was very glad to see us, though. He is always glad to see us. He wags himself over sometimes.

The birdies . . . I don't know what they feel.

My friend did not have a very good visit. Her family does not appreciate her. They are really missing out.

She likes scrapple. She willingly puts it in her mouth. She likes it plain. No applebutter. She is offended by the presence of applebutter on her scrapple. The next plain piece she receives is scrutinized on both sides before being placed in her mouth.

She likes mashed potatoes. She willingly puts it in her mouth. She likes them untainted. She spits out the pea hidden in a spoonful of the fluffy pile. She scrutinizes the next spoonful searching for a hint of green before allowing it in her mouth.

I am writing of my daughter and dinnertime.

Another Thanksgiving with my father's family. There were 20 of us. The table has grown to accommodate us all. My daughter wanted mama or daddy at first, but by the end of the night she was tooling around not worried about the whereabouts of her parents.

My cousin's husband is a developer and recently bought some land with lake. He mentioned selling off some of it to specific people. Two being us. But sometimes you can't take him seriously. So, we won't hold our breath. Thought it would be great if he did offer us a parcel, not that we could afford it.

The dinner was wonderful, many yummy dishes. The stuffing was tasty, with almonds. My grandmother made her tangy cranberry holiday salad. My cousin made her apple and pumpkin pies. Everyone went on and on about my husband's pumpkin bread. They thought it delicious. He thought when he tried the first bite that it was a flop. I made sure everyone knew he made the goodies. He even got requests for the recipe. He spiced it up a bit. He likes to do that to recipes.

We went home with full bellies and happy hearts.

Preparations for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Thursday - bread. My husband made two loaves of delectable pumpkin bread, one of which we tested. I am making two loaves of white bread using my ever trusty bread machine.

Friday - pies. One apple, two pumpkin. And pie crust from Pillsbury, a great invention.

Saturday - turkey, stuffing, gravy. A turkey breast, boxed stuffing, homemade gravy.

A boat load of family for which I am thankful.

Yesterday, my family went for a little walk. Though, for our daughter, it could be a rather long walk. She likes to make it longer by stopping to discover whatever there is to discover - a small leaflet, a twig, a step to go up, a sound to which she must listen. Sometimes we end up carrying her. We let her discover some things.

We went to get our mail. In that 50 yard walk, we must have seen over 100 geese, comprising over 12 different gaggles.

Our walk went something like this: We'd hear them and look up pointing them out to our daughter. Keep walking. We'd hear them and look up pointing them out to our daughter. Keep walking. We'd hear them and look up pointing them out to our daughter. Keep walking. We'd hear them and look up pointing them out to our daughter. Sometimes several gaggles would fly by at once. And they all were flying in the same direction - west. We wondered about the direction, and I suggested maybe they needed to hook up with some other geese, before they headed south. I know when my aunt drives home, she goes west before turning south. As we neared our front door, some gaggles flew by without honking, and to my amazement we could hear their wings as they flapped. It was short whooshing sounds.

Creation never ceases to amaze me.

My daughter likes her pacifier. We are slowly trying to weaning her off of it. She still gets it at bedtime and cartime, but is without it most other times. Unless of course she's tired, then anything goes. (Not really but to keep our sanity, sometimes we would like "anything goes" to be true.)

We left the house today with a binkie, thinking there was not one in the car, but there was. My daughter will gladly suck on one while holding one. And then for variety, she'll switch, taking the one out and putting the other in. Well, today she had two with her. As I was driving, I heard a strange sucking sound coming from behind me. I look in my rearview mirror, and there she is - two binkies in her mouth. I was cracking up and wishing for a camera.

Back to food shopping, laundry, ironing, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom. All my main tasks for the week.

I have gotten quite good at removing stains. Mostly trial and error. I don't like the error part. Just this past week I successfully got an Italian olive oil stain out of a shirt that had been washed and dried twice. Secret: Dawn, it takes grease out of your way (overnight.) I still have a stain on my jeans that I am still working on. Three or four times now.

While I was away, my daughter learned to walk all on her own. I missed it. I'm sad about that. But what a precious sight she is. Toddling about. Still not completely sure on her feet. Her face and shins attest to that.

In fact the day after I got back, she fell on her face and got a nose bleed and some cuts on her nose. Looked like rudolph.

She is a smart cookie that girl. On Monday (I know exactly which day, because I have my meal planning chart to consult) we were eating scrapple. My husband likes apple butter on his meat and thought maybe our girl would to. She handed that piece right back to him. The next piece she was offered, apple butter free, she inspected carefully on both sides before putting in her mouth. She also had to inspect a spoonful of potatoes before eating it, when the previous bite had an offending pea.

She is quite a girl.