Preparing for the madness

I am so very excited, because my house will be rocking starting this Wednesday. My cousins Bill and Karin and my Uncle Bob will all be arriving with their spouses and kids. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of our summers together, and love the fact that now our children can make memories for themselves.

It may be crazy and hectic, but there will be lots of fun. Lots of activites planned for on and around the fourth, as well as a family picnic at my house on Saturday.

Hope you all have a fun and safe holiday week.

He's Back!!

My cousin, Major William Jakola is back after 18 months in Baghdad. We are so very proud of him and his service to our country. He and his entire family will be coming up North to visit us for the fourth of July. What better way to celebrate Independence day. God bless America and thank you Major Jakola!

Journal your Christmas, Day 12

How many of you have wonderful childhood memories of your Christmas past? I know I have many and have shared them with you today. Journaling: I have many fond memories of my childhood Christmases. On Christmas Eve we
would visit friends of my parents and then head home and prepare for Santa’s
arrival. We would receive new pj’s and go off to bed in anticipation of the next
morning.

Christmas morning we would awake early full of excitement. We always began
with our stocking and then our gifts from Santa. Mom would prepare a big
breakfast and we would head off to church.

Lunch was always at my Grandma and Grandpa Laurens’ house. All of the cousins
would come to visit and we would play and open gifts.

Christmas dinner was always hosted by Auntie Linda and Uncle Fonce. Again, all
of the family was together for an evening of celebration.

Today Christmas is pretty much the same. Some of the people are no longer with us,
Auntie Linda and family is in Fla. and the children are now grown with their own
families, but the holiday remains the same. Time spent with family, children excited
about Santa and friends coming together to celebrate all of the blessings in their lives.

Take a few minutes today and bring back the memories of your Christmas past.

Journal your Christmas, Day 11

Real...Artifical... colored lights...white lights??? Today we were asked to journal about our Christmas tree. Here is my journaling: Growing up, we always had a real Christmas tree.
I vowed that I would never have an artificial tree.
I also used to decorate my tree to perfection. All
white lights, perfectly matched ornaments and hours
placing each decoration so my tree looked like it
belonged in a store window display.

Well after many years of cleaning up the messy pine
Needles and the tree dying three days after we put it
up, I decided to get an artificial tree. No longer are
there beautiful glass bulbs and Lenox ornaments
hanging from the branches, they have been replaced
with plastic balls and handmade ornaments that the
kids have made for us. Many ornaments are clustered
together and there are bare patches as well. This year
we even have a few sets of lights that are out, but I do
not let it bother me.

Instead, I now see a beautiful tree that is decorated by
the loving hands of six children who still see the magic
in the lights, and who’s heart is full of joy when they
see their ornaments hanging on the tree. That
certainly is much better than having a designer tree!

So, do you have a designer tree or a tree filled with love?

Hurry Santa, I am too tired to wait!!

Journal Your Christmas, Day 10

Do you enjoy wrapping?? I know I don't. Today's journaling was all about gift wrapping along with the sample of paper we will be using.

Journaling reads: I am not a procrastinator by nature, but when it comes to wrapping gifts
I am guilty.

I do love to buy beautiful gift wrap with matching ribbon. I do enjoy
putting care and creativity into each package. However, I do not like the
fact that it is torn off in a matter of seconds and most time discarded.

Most gifts I take the time and attention to detail to make the package look
beautiful. My children’s Christmas gifts, I just quickly wrap them, no ribbon,
no tag, just their name written in sharpie.

I do however, love gift bags. There are so many beautiful designs with
coordinating tissue paper and ribbon. What is wonderful about a gift bag,
is that it seems to be used again and again. It is like receiving two gifts.

Journal Your Christmas, Day 9

Today I had to write down our holiday traditions. So here they are: We always attend the light parade in Putnam, Ct. The girls shine on stage at the annual dance gala. Our annual baking day on the 23rd of December. Our Christmas Eve celebration and our gift to the giving tree at church.

What are your holiday traditions? Take a minute and write them down, or start a new tradition this year.