WOW, WOW what a Christmas!!! It was great. Better than I could have dreamt. God is so good. He just keeps showing him self in our family and I can't stop telling of his goodness and grace. I got some great presents for Christmas, a web cam ( now I will be able to see the grandkids in PA when ever I want)a new watch and matching bracelet, Chanel #5 (my all time favorite--there is a story behind that but it will wait) AND a new to-be daughter-in-law!!!!

Bubba came home from NC and popped the big question to Hillary and made her the happiest girl in the world...No really I mean it...she is so giddy and moving on with the wedding plans! I guess the date has been set for Oct. 24th. Her dreams has always been for a fall wedding.

The big event was big for the family but when you are the 7th of 7 children what are you to expect. We set Hillary up. We told her the day after Christmas the families were getting together for a family meal at The Barn Restaurant...no really that is the name...as Bubba and she was getting to know each other pretty good. She did wonder why it was so many and KIDDINGLY she told her brother-in-law that Bubba was going to propose!!! Little did she know.

After the waitress found out what everyone was going to do Robert said the pray and then Bubba took the floor. He was a nervous wreck and ask me what he should say...I coached him to say...well, everyone knows why we are here except Hillary-- and then I told him to just go for it. With a big Bubba grin that is just what he did and with big eyes Hillary dropped her jaw to the floor and Bubba got on one knee and presented her with the ring. This is about how it went, Bubba, "Would you mar"....Hillary, "YES", Bubba, "ry me?"

After Hillary got her breath she ask some of us if we knew he was going to ask her and I nicely told her every in the county knew, except her of course. She was quit amazed. See Bubba gave her a heart necklace surrounded with diamonds Christmas to throw her off and not to hurt her feelings for not getting anything for Christmas. He did a very good job. We are so happy for the both of them and pray they will always be as happy as they are today.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Hillary and Bubba meet at church...I pray they will continue to seek God first and each other second for what so ever God brings together, let no man take apart!!!

Decorating

I have started my Christmas decorations. I have one tree up in the dinning room and one tree in the family room this year. I choose to do 2 trees this year for a couple of reasons, 1) we are going to host our Sunday School Christmas party and thought I would go the extra mile but only because of 2) our kids were selling real trees this year and I wanted to help a good cause.

In the picture here is my best friend (of the animal type). Ginger, a Cockatiel and she was given to me by my sister as a gift. She is very gentle and I have taught her to talk and whistle. She says, "Ginger good girl" or just "Ginger". We are working on "Bubba, where's Bubba?" She loves to be with me and do anything I like doing. I can put her on my shoulder and go about my business and she will stay there all day if I would let her.

I never thought I would love a bird like I do this little girl. She has a great personality. She is like a dog in the fact that when I go home at night and she hears my voice she makes a racket until I pay attention to her. She is very easy to take care of...it takes me 5 mins. every other day to feed, water and clean her cages.

In the picture she is sitting in the tree in our dinning room. Niki put it up and decorated it for me and Ginger enjoyed the pleasure of acting like a wild bird. I started decorating our front deck yesterday (Sat) when the weather was great for it. I had to stop because I lost day light so I went out today to add more when the weather was NOT great for it. I am still not done but the other picture is of me fighting the elements to try completing the job. I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Bubba left this morning(Sunday) to go back to base and we got a call that he made it at 7:30 this evening. The traffic was bad and it held him up some but we were very thankful he made it safely. Another blessing we are counting these days is the fact that Robert's job has been saved for another contract period. We were really worried about it. They had contract talks and there was talk about going on strike. The contract passed by only 7 votes but we are thankful for them.

My mom is on her way home. She left my sisters on Friday and stopped to visit with her sister in Nashville, TN. She should be home by Friday of this week. Any one reading this please pray for her safe trip home. I do fret when I know she is traveling. She is 70 years old and driving by herself. I would like to tell her she can't do that but that isn't going to happen and if I did tell her she would do it any way...she is her own person.



MATTHEW 1:18

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.