Yes, I'm still alive....Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I know, I know...I've been AWOL again.  I'm not sure I can explain it away; but I'll make a feeble attempt.  I ran a little late this year getting my Christmas decorations up.  I can hear many of you saying "No kidding," since I've been so absent blogging.  Well, things got put up and the house looks very festive.  I didn't put everything up this year, but you'd never know it.  I just have TOO many things.  When I die, my kids are going to get saddled with the burden of figuring out 'who gets what' and what to do with it all.  Sorry guys.

I've gotten everything wrapped, shipped and delivered....so that's a relief.  Got groceries in and Xmas cards out....check.  I seriously wasn't going to send cards out this year....but I just can't seem to get past the guilt. 

Jory and baby Violet were here for about four days....partly business, partly pleasure.  Uncle Joe, Aunt Jenna and I got our 'baby fix,' but it wasn't nearly enough for Jenna and I.  I'm missing that little bundle of sweetness a lot.  We were so wrapped up in playing and oogling over her that we somehow didn't remember to take a lot more pics.  I think Jory got a few, so I guess I'll have to ask her to send them on to me.  We took Violet over to see Nana, my mother-in-law...for the first time.  She was just over the top to see that baby.  Four generations right there....and we blew another photo opportunity.  God, what were we thinking?  We just never thought to take pictures of it.  Hope the chance comes around again.  Nana is 95 years old....God Bless her.

Jory had a very long day of business in downtown Chicago one of the days, and Jen and I were with Violet the whole day.  Our mission was to try to get some of mommy's milk....or formula into that little babe.  Jory wasn't having much success bottle feeding her before she came, and we didn't fare any better.  She didn't want much to do with it....she was tough and wanted Mommy.  I've had four kids...and I don't remember having problems switching from breast feeding to bottles; which made it a lot worse on me when she wouldn't drink much and cried herself to sleep a few times.  I felt like we were the worst Grandma and Aunt in the world....but still we tried.  Jenna was really a trooper and was so loving with Vi.  Outside of the bottle fiasco, Violet was so much fun.  All gooing, gurggly and smiley.  Oh my heart.  We absorbed every little thing she did...and couldn't stop looking at her.  Their little visit went all too quickly.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season and spending it with those you love.  The recent events in Connecticut have surely made us all pause to appreciate and hold dear the loves in our lives.  God Bless you all.  Happy Holidays...and may 2013 be very good to all of us in every way.  ~Joy xo

Christmas Is Always Christmas

                                                                                    

We all remember some past December

of cocoa and nights decorating the tree.

Of tinsel and angels and lights burning bright;

and mistletoe hanging…oh what a sight!                                           

 

And the smell of the pine from the tree that we got

that we proudly picked out from the old corner lot.

And the ornaments the children gingerly placed

all over the tree in just the right space.                                                               

 

Of the candy canes hanging on branches so bright;

and the wreaths and the holly…it all seemed so right.

When putting the star atop of the tree

was all that it took to get a smile out of me.                                  

 

The wrapping of presents, and writing out cards;

and snowmen and lights softly draping the yards.

Oh the feeling of joy that touched everyone

and held us for days in laughter and fun.                                                               

 

And the Carolers coming to sing at the door;

and the joy on the faces of those they sang for.

And mom’s special cookies and over-baked breads…

The rapturous smells went straight to our heads.         

 

Of turkey and ham and stuffing and pie;

Our tummies so full we thought we would die.

All sitting cozy in the glow of the fire;

looking into the faces we love and admire.                                                         

 

And wrapping ourselves up snuggly and tight

in Grandpa’s strong arms for most of the night.

And Grandma’s perfume encircling our noses;

A sweet flowery scent…like petals of roses.                                                         

 

In moments like these…how good life can be

as you bask in the glow of your “near perfect” tree.

The years always change…they’ll come and go….

But Christmas is Christmas…and will always be so.

                                     

                                                          -Joy

 

Comments

[Tara R.]

Glad to hear everything is well with you, and your family. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

[Hattie]

All the best to you and yours, dear Joy!

[Cop Car]

Joy--Glad to see you getting (hopefully) back in the swing of things. I totally understand your frustration at missing the 4-generation-photo opportunity. In our family, someone thought to have a studio portrait taken with my elder brother with his mother, maternal grandmother, matrilineal great-grandmother, and matrilineal great-great-grandmother; but, did anyone think to do the same for me - which would have been a portrait of five generations of first daughters? Noooooo. Drat!

As a non-Christian, I don't "do" Christmas, but I hope that you and yours have a great one!

[Maria from Silverfox]

Glad you are back to blogging. We all have had those times where blogging just didn't happen. I am learning to take breaks from it and come back typing faster than ever.

Violet is such a beautiful name for such a sweet little one. Hope you have many opportunities to share time with her - after she accepts the bottle a little better.
Merry Christmas, my friend and enjoy all the good days of the season.

[MaryB]

Merry, Merry Christmas, Joy to the World! Cheers!

[[email protected]]

Have a very Merry Christmas Joy.

And a Happy New Year.

Carol
So glad you got to see your little baby.

[Kay Dennison]

Merry Christmas, Joy!!!!

I've been remiss in blogging, too!!!

[Joared]

Merry Christmas wishes!

Enjoyed your holiday accounting. The spirit doesn't move me to blog as much, or only erratically at best also.

Glad you had some family get together earlier, especially with your darling little one -- sounds delightful.

[Jen]

Belated merry christmas and happy new year. I can relate to the lack of blogging - I've been a bit slack too. Sometimes there's too much else to do. Hope 2013 is a good one for you.