Family together some of our favorite spots near our new home

We wanted to have pictures made this season near the coast.  Since we are now lowcountry residents, what better way to share that than having pictures made on the pier!

Christmas Memories of old and New My favorite time of year

Christmas.  It is beyond far my favorite time of year.  Yes, the lights, decorations, baking, and thought of a Bug laughable loveable guy bringing a surprise is part of what I enjoy.  But the reason it is my favorite time of year, has so much more to do with the real history of Christ-mas.  I can remember all the great times growing up and family at Christmas.  No matter what else was going on the rest of the year, we all came together and got along for this one time.  I was born in Flordia, and my parents meet and married in Flordia.  So must of our family was spread out through the state.  Some in Ga, and SC.  But we all would take time to go to Granny's for Christmas.  We use to drive 9 hours as fast as my Dad would go.  We had this single cab Nissan pick up truck. My Dad got in trouble for buying a single cab truck with a family of four, but that's a story for another day.  He would put a camper top on the bed of the truck.  My sister and I would get a mat, sleeping bags, snacks, battery operated TV, and a propane heater, and hop in the back for the ride.  It wasn't always warm, or comfortable.  But we would play games, and talk and read.  I would recommended it for a bonding time with siblings!  All joking aside, it holds great memories for me.  All of the aunts, uncles and cousins would show up at Grannys and all the kids where in one room spread out wherever possible.  We where sent to bed by 8pm, and then my favorite Uncle John would wake us up after midnight when Santa had arrived.  We would all get up and open gifts.  Then play for a little while and go back to bed, to wake up to Christmas morning and breakfast.  Then my immediate family would go over to my Dads parents for Christmas Day and Dinner.  My grandparents had the beautiful home and every decoration was in its perfect spot.  When I was really little, my Grandad would take us out to the sunroom for play time.  He had saved some of the old toys from his kids growing up.  There was an old Red Wagon, a Yellow real metal tractor, and a dump truck.  I remember those this most.  He made those toys fun and exciting,  and that was better than anything under the tree.  

As time went, we all got older and busy and in different places.  Those huge family gatherings stopped.  These days it is a quick weekend trip to meet me Aunt, Uncle and Granny half way and exchange gifts.  The spot tends to change each year.  But it is still exciting.  I treasure the fact that my kids get to spend time with their Great Grandma and Great Aunt and Uncle.  So now they too have those memories. 

I remember one of our trips to Fl. in the back of that little truck, it was storming as we drove and then started to hail golf balls.  My dad raced to find the closest shelter her could.  When you are little in the back of a tin camper and it is hailing, it sounds like the earth is falling on you.  But mom and dad found a pull in car wash, and we were safe.  We waited out the storm and laughed about the crazy panic to get under cover.  But those are the memories that I love about the Holidays and traveling. 

I will share one more memory.  I was in third grade, and just hanging out on the play ground.  It was right after thanksgiving break.  And a friend was slinging her arms, and turned and punched me right in the stomach.  It hurt really really really bad.  But I got my breath and finished the day.  Didn't eat much for dinner though.  Woke up the next morning and my stomach was huge and swollen and I could not stand up straight from the pain.  Mom thought I didn't want to go take a test, and so to prove I was not sick had me run up and down the stairs, and get ready for school.  I couldn't even fit in my pants, and I was in tears, and my sister didn't know what to do to help me.  My mom gave me sweat pants to wear to school, that is all that would fit over my stomach.  So I know your thinking okay this is not a good memory.  But just wait.  So I waddled to the school bus and rode in pain to school.  I was just getting worse and worse.  The school of course called my mom to come get me and we went straight to the doctor.  In a matter of minutes I was being rushed across the parking lot in a wheeled chair to surgery.  Did I mention I was in pain.  They said my appendix had to come out asap. This was right before Christmas break.  As my dad got off work and rushed to help.  I was rushed into surgery.  What they did not know and where about to find out, is still on display at the hospital.  My right ovary and my appendix had wrapped around each other and my ovary was now the size of a huge grapefruit.  They had to remove both.  There is a lot more to the story, but for now Ill get to the part of Christmas.  I was in recovery at home in bed for several weeks.  We had already had plans to go to Disney world for the first time ever.  And I was no longer able to go.  So my mom and I stayed home.  My dad took my sister and cousin to Disney World that year.  Then he made a fast 9 hour drive back to get my mom and I for Christmas.  They loaded me up on a single mattress in the back of the little truck.  I rode, I think slept most of the drive down.  But my dad was going to make sure that I was in Fl for Christmas.  That made Christmas that much more special.  Need less to say my parents worked hard to take me Disney a couple years later.  I still have the paper clay star that my third grade class made for me while I was out recovering from surgery. 

Our Christmas these days are not quite as far of a travel, and don't have as many family there.  But they are some of the greatest memories to be able to build and share with my kids.  As my sisters, family, mom and dad and our family get to gather on Christmas each year.  I just sit back and watch the eyes and listen to the words from those 5 little children who are unwrapping gifts and getting so excited.  But more than that, before the presents and gift giving starts, my dad reads the real Christmas story from the Bible to them.  Oh my heart is so full to see those eyes clued to their Grandpa as he is sharing the love of his life with them, Christ.  To know that we are in a family that puts the importance of Christmas on our heavenly father and not on Santa.  Yes we know Santa brings a gift for them each year.  But that never seems to be as important or as memorable as the time spent with cousins, and eating dinner together, and watching and playing football. 

I am so thankful that my God loved me enough to save me and send a precious baby boy to us around Christmas time.  It is so overwhelming to think of how God has and is ordaining his perfect will and plan for our lives.  No to start sharing the Christmas memories of my family an children in the years to come. ..........