What's up since New Years?

Have done a lot of things since new years. My sisters and Corrie and I went to my mom's house (Mamaw's house) and redid her bathroom as her Christmas present. She was very excited and pleased with the finished product. I don't think we could have chosen anything better! I loved the wallpaper so much, I redid my bathroom too with the same paper. No pics taken of that one yet.


Our yearly winter activity has begun. Most years we try to put out a puzzle on the dining room table and just leave it there all winter, placing a piece here and there as we go through the room. Haven't done it in a couple of years. Last one we tried is on a board under the bed as the completed puzzle was "Starry Night" but each piece of the puzzle had a pixel of an outerspace picture or an astronaut, or other space stuff. And to top that off, the pixels repeated. We got frustrated and quit on it. (The puzzle was a gift from Corrie - so sorry sweetie!) Any body up for a challenging puzzle???

Had Friday night dinner with all of the kids and grandkids this Friday. A wonderful time was had by all.


Tyler came home with us after dinner. Today he helped me clean out the pantry, a much needed and long awaited job. It had become one of my "cram it and slam it" places. He took out all the goods and arranged them on the counter by category (i.e. vegetables, fruit, etc.) We then cleaned the shelves and replaced items, having thrown out two garbage bags of expired stuff.

Are you wondering what the winning expiration date was??????? HERE IT IS:::::

Corrie, I know you are REALLY freaked out now! I know you check labels, but it will probably be even worse now! Ha!

This afternoon, Ty and Pap and I went to see "Hotel for Dogs". It was a cute movie. Predictable, but cute. Ty had earned some spending money for helping with the pantry so we also made a stop at Toys R Us and he purchased this Lego racer set. He is quite adept in putting legos together - takes after his Uncle Jon there.

It's been a great weekend. Hope you all are safe and warm. Blessings and Shalom and much love.

Up to New Year's Day! Hurray!

Corrie posted a comment on New Year's Eve's Post saying she was pleased that I posted New Years so soon! Ha! On to New Year's Day!

Aaron, Prasti, Tyler and Emma weren't able to come on Christmas, so they came for New Year's Day. It was wonderful! Christmas all over again.

The kids were excited about presents under the tree and were pleased with their takings I think. Tyler had told me before Christmas, "Gram, you know kids do not like opening up clothes for Christmas." I, however, was drawn in by a hoodie I found and matched it to pants and a knit hat (black of course with a little red). He wore the hat the whole day and had the hoodie on before they left. So guess I didn't do too badly. Emma had Christmas when we went up on Christmas day, but I did have a chance to finish a Hello Kitty pillow case for her. Zeke liked helping her open that present, probably hoping it was food.

Emma found books and wanted to read. Ty stood by and listened too. Pap also got in on the action. Neither one of us can pass it up when one of our little ones wants to cuddle up.

We all sat down to a scrumptuous feast, especially more tasty because we were all together. Jon and Jenna and the boys were unable to come because Jon was sick with the flu. Poor guy! Don't think barbequed ribs would have set well on that stomach.

I was so glad Mamaw was able to spend time with two of her great-grandchildren. They were so loving to her and I know she felt so happy to be with them.

As for resolutions, I have long ago decided not to do resolutions. Scott (i.e. Hon i.e. Dad i.e. Pap) read part of "Horton Hatches an Egg" for Children's sermon. He talked about perseverance and following God no matter what and ended with the line: "I meant what I said and I said what I meant. I'll be faithful to God 100%!" That one I can do. Hope you are living it too. Blessings and Shalom and much love. Happy New Year!

Now We're up to New Year's

Happy New Year to all!!!! How did we spend it? Quietly, well, kinda. Scott played with the brass band at Akron's First Night, but was back in time to sit with us and watch the ball drop.

A wonderful treat: my mom (Mamaw to my kids and grandkids) came up for a few days!! She does not much like leaving her house so this was an especially wonderful time. We are all so glad she came! Zeke too a liking to her too. Zeke and Mom enjoying the fire.

How did Corrie spend it? Here is the evidence picture: Knitting of course!
The dogs had a great time too, being with people and trolling for food!

And me? Cooking, fixing snacks which we all enjoyed. BUT THE BEST WAS: Watching 'Mamma Mia"!!!! Singing when we knew the words (when we didn't we just did the backup singer do-wap). Then at the end of the movie, we watched the special effects and found outYOU CAN WATCH THE WHOLE MOVIE WITH THE WORDS TO THE SONGS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN FOR SING-ALONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. Planning a girls pajama party so that we can do just that!!!!!!! Blessings and Shalom and much love.

More Christmas Memories

Yes, I realize it is January and Christmas is still on the mind. A few more pics to share. Christmas and family. What a blessed time it was!

I have made it a point to make a quilt for each grandchild: Tyler's had bunnies (which he is probably not too happy about but will appreciate much later in his life - Ha!), Emma's had Teddy bears, Ben's had an airplane, this is Sam's. I realized once again working on this quilt that I enjoy being creative. Don't take enough time doing so.

This morning I decided to color my hair. Ben woke up after I had the stuff on and he just didn't recognize his gram. He cuddled instead in his daddy's arms, safe from this strange helmet head woman. This pic is just after I had rinsed my hair and looked a little like me again. Ben is holding one of his Christmas presents, a child's Craftsman drill - created to look and have buttons and lights light the real thing. It was a big hit.

This picture of Samuel was taken at his first attendance to a Purdum family get together. He has that "I'm not so sure about this experience" look on his face, one I recognize from his precious mother's face the first time she was face with our family! It's ok baby. Momma got used to us. You will too!

More later. Blessings and Shalom and much love.

Christmas Memories 2008

Hello all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless us, every one!

What a wonderful season and Christmas this has been. It began with Christmas Eve service. Jon, Jenna, Ben, Sam and Corrie were there for the service and to spend Christmas Eve. My first Christmas present was at that service: from the rear of the church, Ben spied his Gram. His eyes lit up and he took off running down the isle and into my arms. What a blessing! He sat next to Gram during the service and took pleasure in playing with my microphone! (glad he didn't figure out how to turn it on, though not from lack of trying). Sam was quite precious too, happy and smiling and well behaved. After service, home for snacks, and the traditional reading of "Night Before Christmas". Pap joined us for that. Ben was too tired and was already tucked in for the night with visions of sugar plums dancing through his head.

Christmas morning all was excitement. Jon and Ben woke us up at 8 a.m. How wonderful it is to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. That gift is better than any present under the tree.

In the afternoon we travelled to Lakewood to visit Aaron, Prasti, and Emma with their presents. More time with precious family. More shared smiles and giggles and hugs.

In all the hustle and bustle, in all the packages and boxes and wrapping paper, we remember that "It's all about Jesus asleep in the straw, this infant, this King, this Saviour for all. So I don't need bells to be ringing. I'll join with the angels singing 'Gloria' - and I feel Christmas like a child."

Merry Christmas to all, and to all - a good night.