There were several beautiful, wonderful, inspiring, fun filled things that went RIGHT during the season. ie. T&K got married.
{isn't this wedding pic great? pretty sure most brides feel like this!} We bowled, swam, rocked climbed and shot bows and arrows with our kids and nephews without injury.
Sweet Husband and I hosted a 21 person sit down Thanksgiving Dinner.
{Click here for boat placecard instructions.}
The 400 person sit down dinner party/program I oversaw (luckily not the food part – just the writing, directing, set making, event decorating. publicizing, and concept part) went splendidly, and little B was fantastic as star of the show. 
Greeting cards were designed and (mostly) sent.
The stockings were hung and the house was trimmed.
Santa's lap was sat in.
A true Christmas Miracle occured when I was able to deliver the organized, divided, complete t-shirt order to our elementary school BEFORE the kids were off for Christmas Break.
Presents were purchased & made. Carols were sung. Treats were delivered. Stockings were filled. Smiles were captured. Heart strings were tugged as we listened to B perform her solo during Sunday services. Christmas dinner at our dining room table surrounded by people we love was delightful. And, we made record time on our car trip to visit my parents for New Years - a mere 8.5 hours.
Fake Christmas was grand.
The dinosaur museum was larger than life.
Ice skating with my sister and our babies was awe-inspiring.
A night out with some of our favorite people at our much loved Brazilian place was perfect. 
And then…everything came to a screeching, and I mean a screeching halt. I have never heard screams like I heard that next day. Heavens. It broke a mama's heart.
My sweet seven year old baby girl flew off a piece of playground equipment at the park near my parent’s home and broke her femur, clear up by her hip. We spent the next three days of our vacation with her in the hospital. Agonizing X-Rays, panic, surgery, a metal plate, a bolt, 8 screws, and a long car ride home later, we are back. She is in a wheelchair and will be for the next six weeks. Life is kind of on hold for the moment.
Through the midst of this trauma, we have been blessed with so much love. My mom’s bedside attendance. My Dad & sister’s tending of my other children so I could hold A’s hand, and wipe her tears through it all. The witness of the Lord’s care for us through my husband’s tender blessing. Her cute friends snuggling up on the bed with her to play games and watch movies for hours on end. My amazing friends & mom-in-law caring for her and my other three chitlins so I could get a little break while Sweet Husband is out of town. B’s darling friend whisking her away for reprieve from her sister who, expectedly, has not been her easy going self recently. And the school staff being so graciously accommodating in preparation of her trial return next week.
While her recovery will be a long road, one including sleepless nights, rehabilitation and another surgery, it is not difficult to see our blessings. 
We are truly blessed, and our greatest blessings come in the form of friends, family, neighbors…all on the errand of angels. Bless you my little angels. Bless you.
I have nothing against fake Christmas trees, well, I take that back…I have nothing against the people who own fake Christmas trees. Some of my favorite people in the whole, wide world decorate and gather round absolutely gorgeous counterfeit foliage every Christmas.
while Dad & the girls sawed down the tree - but we made lots of memories, and have a beautiful Charlie Brown tree to show for it. A tree that upon most first impressions, receives the reaction: 
And bless you to ALL of my new followers! So happy to have you! If you would really love to have the same mounted print that Melanie just won - you can purchase it from my etsy site: 
Share with neighbors, friends, your children, your childrens' teachers, or hide them all in your cupboard and keep them for yourself. They are just that yummy.
