December Blessings ~ Counting It All Joy! (Third Week)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY!

The Hidden crystal beauty of the first Winter storms

The anticipation of 

The Birth of the King 

Pretty gifts all wrapped

Awaiting the arrival of the most 

Anticipated day of the year

Christmas! 

Lights all a glow

With hope in the air

With the glitter and dreams

Of so much more

December 17- Let's just say no sleep for this flying grandma. 3 a.m. came much to early and way to fast! Hard to say good morning at this hour when you'd rather be sleeping. Coffee pot is on. Time to get dressed for my day. Comfortable is what I'm thinking. Okay time to load the car and head to the airport. Thinking I will be sleeping on this flight. Arrived in Sacramento safely into my daughter Webber Heather hands. She went and got us morning coffee. Thank you! Home to get the kiddos for church. It's going to be a long day. Afternoon Christmas play performance. Excellent! Aunt Gale Paiva and Nevaeh came to the showing. Great to see them. Healing service afterwards. Can hardly hold eyes open. Long day. How my daughter's to it is by the grace of God. I'm ready to drop. Today Lord I'm thankful for safe travels. To be here with my family. To see the Christmas performance. Truly blessed me. Thankful for being in the house of the Lord. Thankful for the blessings of the day and being able to love on my grandchildren. Thank you Lord for this time with them. Blessings

December 18~ Yep Beth your not in Oregon....there are kids and noise! Good morning mema! Ummmm........yes! Good morning my precious grandchildren. They didn't get memo. No talking or noise before coffee. Oh that's right......kids first....then coffee. Busy morning getting ready for school. I think I don't miss this part. It's such a struggle. Though I'm so blessed to be here and spend time with my family. I love them all each one so much. Webber Heather has to go to second job to care for Miss Patty. What a delightful lady she is. Got to pray for her this morning. Happy birthday my beautiful daughter Amber Webber! My forever 21 daughter. I love you so much! Racheal Perry comes and picks Heather and I up. Christmas shopping at the mall. Was so disappointed. So no decorations and Santa's workshop looks like an alien station. Yep! Diffidently to commercial for me. I remember the windows and everything deck in Christmas grandeur. No Christmas music either. So very sad! Though I had a marvelous time with two of my daughter's. But where's Christmas hiding? Managed to pick up a few Christmas gifts. Looks like shopping for Christmas is truly going to be several adventures out. Home to make homemade soup for dinner. And little Miss Rylee says. I miss Aunt Sally Mazza wish she was here. She said she's the best cook and she is fun! Well.....see how this old grandma rates. She really loves her Aunt Sally! Today Lord I'm thankful for waking up in the noisy house filled with my grandchildren and the ears to hear them, eyes to see them, arms to love them. Thankful for daughter Heather blessing me with morning coffee and lunch in the mall. So extremely thankful for time with two of my daughter's shopping for Christmas. Thankful for the finances to purchase gifts. Thank you Lord for blessing me 38 years ago with my daughter named Amber who brings me great joy and happiness as she shows the world her strength and tenacity of a never give up spirit. So proud to be her mom. She continues to teach me everyday about the strength inside of us all that says I'm not out yet! The "team Amber" spirit! She's got this! And she does!Thankful Lord for the sun and blue skies and a beautiful hand painted sky this evening for me to enjoy. Thank you Lord for your hand being upon me and all those I love. Thank you for the helping hands in the kitchen tonight as this day came to a close. Blessings

December 19~ Good morning! Wait....yep it's time. Kiddos need to be up getting ready for school. Oh the joys! Hustle hustle! What memories this does bring. Oh thank you Webber Heather another morning coffee kick starter. Got to love that morning coffee. Gulp gulp! Today Heather finally falls asleep. Praise God! I will make soup again today for dinner out of the things in her pantry. Tonight will be hamburger soup. Simmer in crock pot. Sit watch my baby girl sleep. I fall asleep as well. Must be a great day to rest. The quiet that I so love yet struggle with as well. This evening after dinner Rylee helps me make cupcakes. Tomorrow is her special day. Today Lord I'm thankful for being able to just basically do nothing but watch Heather sleep, pray, and prepare tonight's dinner. Thankful for a little kitchen time with Rylee. Sharing hot chocolate with my grandson B-man. Sharing some of my writing this evening with the youngest grandchildren and Lorraine. Thankful for the amazing blessings that you provide daily Lord. Thankful you meet each of us daily. Thankful for my nap and the twinkle of the Christmas tree lights and decor. Thank you for this day. Blessings

December 20~ Good morning birthday girl Rylee! One more day of school. Rush around and get this day started. WHAT?? Ummmm........this is interesting. Not the way I wanted to start my day. Time to run out and do a little more shopping. Webber Heather needs a nap before the big festivities of the evening. Celebrating Rylee's birthday at Winter Wonderland. What a fun place to come. Rides, lights, fun, laughter, Christmas music, smiles. A child comes out in all of us. Even I went on some rides. Creating lasting memories for the grandchildren and I. Then we went on a drive through the Fab 40's, where there were plenty of twinkling lights and Christmas decor. What a beautiful evening of celebrating and Christmas cheer. Thank you Lord for this day. Today Lord I'm thankful for being able to celebrate with my granddaughter on her special day. To get most of my Christmas shipping done. To still be able to get on rides and enjoy them with my kiddos. Thankful for the finances to purchase all that I purchased today and ti meet all of the needs I had need of and to be a blessing. Thank you! Thankful for getting back to Heather's safely and fast asleep before my head hit the pillows. It was a grand evening of excitement and fun. So thankful for this day. Blessings

December 21~ Oh not a good way to wake. We have a sick little man in the house. Hard to say good morning to little ones not feeling well. And the house is like ice. We are all extremely cold. Crazy way to start our day. Good morning Thursday and we are off and running. B-man put warm jammies on and snuggle back in bed. Yes! All snuggled back under covers until 8:30. Webber Heather comes home at 9:30 and goes right to sleep. This is good. I do some laundry and the kiddos do their chores with the typical rumbling, mumbling and grumbling. Things don't change. I remember the girls doing that and I'm sure I did my share when I was a kid as well. Today after chores we lounged and watched TV between naps. Cooked one of my famous skillet dinners. More movies and lounging. Today Lord I'm thankful for being able to crawl back under the blankets and sleep just a bit longer. Thankful to get the kids to help their mom. They did a good job even with the struggle. Thankful for movie time and naps. Thankful for this day of rest in and not running around. Thankful for the joy of the Christmas movies with the kids. Thank you Lord for this time with them and the joys of the Christmas season. Blessings

December 22~ Off to a very rocky start. B-man is sick. I'm in so much pain I was up all night and still can hardly take it. Thank you Lord that you are touching and healing both B-man and I and we are the healed in Jesus name amen. Good morning Thursday! It is chilly and the sun is pushing through. So much to do, and all I want to do is crawl up into a ball. No time for this. Awwe........Webber Heather bought coffee to make. My youngest granddaughter Rylee made me my morning coffee what a blessing. Time to try and get some more Christmas shopping done. Heather buys us yummy chicken and coffee for lunch. Perfect! Eating on the run ......so blessed. Shopping is crazy! A few more presents and I should be done. Darn still have granddaughter Mickeneez to get for. Okay Lord running out of time. Looks like we will be wrapping and taping into the wee hours. Looks likes everyone made it on the good list. Santa surely will be busy. Cooking dinner and resting. Thank you Lord for the abundance and provision provide. Thank you Lord for the neighbor lady to the rescue this afternoon. Thank you Lord for prayers of healing. Thank you Lord for the peace and quiet for a couple of hours. Thank you Lord for directing our footsteps. Thank you for another day filled with your love and blessings and many opportunities to show your love to the world. Blessings

December 23 ~ We must give a great big shout out thank you to Aunt Gale Paiva. You finally got some sleep. Your a gem of a life saver. Love you! Still waking to rocky start. Seems the bug has me in his clutches. Must get meds today. So much to do. Need to help Webber Heather. Her plate is on over load with Christmas activities, work, children, and life in general. Bless her Lord. The running around starts for last minute gifts and food for celebrating. Then the wrapping starts. Oh the joys and smiles on Christmas morning. Today Lord I'm thankful for being able to get out and do last minute preparations for your big day. To watch my granddaughter Ryler get her big birthday surprise. To see my daughterRacheal Perry and my two grandchildren Nick Perryand Kyah. Ever do thankful to get my presents wrapped. A hot shower lots of meds and early to bed. Thank you Lord healing me quickly in Jesus name amen. Thank you for this day and getting through it. For you holding me up when I could barely move thank you. For a bed and lots of sleep. Blessings

With the shorter days

And the highly anticipation of 

Of the Jolly 

Old St. Nick

Each child sits and writes

Their wish list 

Of dreams.

Whats on your?

December Blessings ~ Counting It All Joy! (Second Week)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY!

The Hidden crystal beauty of the first Winter storms

The anticipation of 

The Birth of the King 

Pretty gifts all wrapped

Awaiting the arrival of the most 

Anticipated day of the year

Christmas! 

Lights all a glow

With hope in the air

With the glitter and dreams

Of so much more

December 10~ Good morning Sunday! Coffee with my girlfriends Sherilynn Ganther, and AmyJune McClure this morning; after crawling out of my warm bed of twelve blankets and seven pillows snuggled tightly around me. Why would I want to get up! But I did! Breakfast date out. Sheri and I head over to our morning breakfast date.... and it was so very yummy! It was a sirloin steak, eggs, hash browns and muffin. And of course the morning fuel coffee the most important part of the day! Then it was football and games to be played! And laughter and surprise's to be had by all! Then it was raffle time! Oh yes! I was one determined lady! I wanted that sweater. Thanks to some friends my tickets grew. Oh Bob was losing! He wanted the sweater as much if not more than I did! But in the end I was the winner! To bad Bob! It was a diffident rival between his tickets and mine. But in the end he did win the sweater. And He did look nice in it too! Then home to unwind from a wonderful day of sports, games, and fun with friends. Today Lord I'm thankful for a new found inner strength that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of my crazy life. Thankful for the support of friends that love me just the way I am, with all my wrinkles and flaws. Thankful for the music of the heart that dances in silence and comes out to play unexpectedly in the most unusually places and times. Thankful for that music that makes the soul dance and come alive. Thankful I was a winner and was able to share the win with someone special. Thankful for hot showers that relaxes me and helps me go to sleep. Thankful for another day filled with the many gifts and blesses you provided daily for me Lord.With surprises at every turn. Thank you! Blessings

'December 11~ Woke early......Just wanted to sleep. But the pain wasn't letting me. Good morning Monday! I stayed in bed under my cozy warm blankets. Its cold and I hurt! Really don't want to get up this morning. I smell coffee brewing! That will make me get up. Thank you Sherilynn Ganther for starting the coffee. Nice to have you here. Thank you for staying this weekend and having fun and bringing smiles. Thank you for all the little things you did and just being the amazing you that you are. Oh I have so much to do and I really don't feel like doing anything. Okay lets get this day started with coffee and getting dressed. Put out garbage cans, some light cleaning. Say good bye to Sheri, have a good day my friend. Okay my scheduling got all tossed around. It is being redesigned. I think I will go to class this morning. It was surely worth me stopping and re-evaluating this day and going too. Came home and rested and really didn't do much. Took care of me. I'm very cold and I'm hurting today. So thinking this is going to be a rest and get some light house work done kind of day. Get some bills payed as well.Just regrouping to make it through a very busy week ahead. ICK! Why when the plate is full this happens. Okay! It all will work out it always does. Today Lord I'm thankful that you helped me re- design my day and that I could get the rest I needed, as well as some relief from the pain. I'm thankful for coffee brewing and the wonderful scent of fresh brewed coffee. I'm thankful for getting two of my Mary Kay orders together to take to California. Thank you ladies. Thankful that the East County winds are starting to die down. They are brutal! Thankful for being able to share and get great input on how to help deal with ongoing chronic pain. Thankful for the quiet that brings the sounds of the out doors inside. It has a musicality beauty all of its own as I listen to the wind, the chimes, planes flying over head, the bushes and trees whistling. The train going by, along with the sounds of traffic and doors. So many beautiful sounds that make it a magical dance in the evening as the day comes to a close. I'm thankful for the peace you bring that only you can Lord. I am so very thankful for your hand upon my life and the provisions that you provide to meet all of my many needs daily. Thank you! Blessings

December 12~ Good morning Tuesday! East County winds finally dying down! Yea! Still cold but at least the winds are going away. Woke early this morning and just stayed in my snugly warm bed and blankets saying prayers for many people this morning. Had many friends facing medical procedures today and some more tomorrow. Prayer list is long for health for many. Lord touch and heal them all and meet each one and their individual needs; thank you! Up and getting my motor running. Got the java flowing through the blood stream. Layered and bundled as I head out the door to my many appointments today. Thankful for each one as I look forward. Sherilynn Ganther glad we could run over to McDonald's for lunch. Love those happy meals. I like the toys inside. Then a gentleman gave me his toys from his happy meals, thank you sir. Time to gas up this car and fill her up with fuel. Finally home and hot soup for dinner. Yummy! Trying to figure out export on this darn computer. Not working out to well for me. Not fun! Then once again on the phone with Dish. Really? Once again, you tell me one thing then do another. It will be real easy to turn you off and have no TV bill. Today Lord I'm thankful for layers of clothes to stay warm. I'm thankful that I know you and I can have conversations with you and go to you in prayer and you will answer me. I'm thankful for left over soup to warm my insides and fill me up. I'm thankful for hair color and being able to wash that grey right out of my hair. Thankful for the beautiful evening sky. Yes though today was full and busy I'm thankful I stopped and made time for you and that you gave me strength for the day and meet all of my various needs. And sent a beautiful evening sky to close the day with. Thank you! Blessings

December 13~ Yet another early morning wake up for early morning prayers. More friends needing health and prayers for medical procedures again today. Lord I just ask that you would touch and heal each one with your healing hand of Gilead; be with all the surgeons and caregivers Lord.I thank you for touching and healing each one and giving them a speedy recovery in Jesus name Amen! It is the best way to start the day in prayers! Good morning Wednesday! Things changed in this day quickly. Phone call from back east from my step mom Joanne Good. We had a wonderful chat this morning. Praise God you are doing much better and that you and dad are in Maryland where you both can get the help you need and still stay at home. I love it! Time for me to get myself put together, after three cups of coffee you'd think I would be ready for the world. It has been a day filled with lots of information and those that I love requiring many prayers. Guess the prayer closet is where I truly need to be today. Off to see members from the Life Gate Baptist Church. Was going to just drop in and leave. That didn't happen. Thank you! It was lovely catching up with you all. It has been much to long. Then a long over due date with Randi Hilary. Always wonderful catching up with her. Must work harder on staying in touch in the up coming year. Phone calls from my handsome nephew Jonathan Good, hoping to catch up this week before I leave. Brother called.....love him so much. He is needing lots of prayers as well. Hoping to see him soon as well. Spoke to my beautiful friend Lori in Sacramento, she is hoping to see me while I'm there. So many people to touch bases with. Never enough time or minutes. Seems this day was full of many phone calls and prayers. Grateful for each and everyone of you. Lord today I'm thankful for my phone and all the calls I received today from those I love reaching out. I'm thankful for time with those from church and friends that I have shared a lifetime with. I'm super thankful for the surgeries that have taken place and the success and healing of each one Lord. I'm thankful for all the support that was surrounded around them in love. Thank you Sherilynn Ganther for keeping me posted today! I'm thankful for all the Mary Kay orders that I am gathering to take to California with me. I'm thankful for The beautiful wreath I received today as a gift. I'm thankful to have gotten to talk with Joanne today and that I was home to receive that call. Lord I'm thankful you direct my path and place me exactly where I'm suppose to be. Thank you for your divine intervention and provisions. Thank you for answered prayers and your love encamped about all those that I love. I am truly blessed in this life. Thank you! Blessings

December 14~ The east county winds are back with a vengeance. They scared me so bad I pulled the blankets over my head. Didn't help! Blew and torn down the neighbors gutter. So thankful it didn't hit my car. Good morning Thursday! Think it truly would be a great day to stay in bed. But....must get up. Brother is coming by. Coffee, prayers, get myself put together. A lovely little morning chat with Geo Sutter. You sounded good. Praying the Lord heal you quickly along with a few others in Jesus name amen. Brother arrives and we chat. Many prayers for you. Glad I could cut your hair for you. Seems the memo is lost on my retirement reguarding hair. I guess that would be good since I love keeping my fingers in the business. Worked on packing my luggage today. Just not doing to well with that. Not good....time is running out. Needs to get done. Afternoon appointment........enlightment, laughter, with well wishes. Then off to the jewelry store to have my jewels cleaned and checked. All looks good but one piece is out for repairs. Today Lord I'm thankful for my brother coming over and getting to see him and spend some time with him. I miss him so much. Thankful for life time guarantees on my jewelry. Thankful that the gutter didn't hit my car. Thankful for clean warm clothing. Thankful for another day filled with prayers, opportunities and blessings. Thank you Lord for this day. Blessings 

December 15~ WOW! How things change in a year and two years. Two years ago an unexpected goodbye. And last year a conversation I had no idea would be my last one. Had I known I would have said things differently. You are so missed. Pray life is good for you. Hello Friday! Today is a big day. Another huge life changing event. Thank youSherilynn Ganther for going with me. heading to doctors. Detour to Multnoham Falls. I love that place. It brings me such peace. Watching them do so much work around the lodge and the scenic highway making it safe for us all once again. Early to doctor which turned out good. Lots of paperwork to fill out. Yea! good news. No surgery at this time. When I retired two months ago it bought me extra time on my feet. YEA! He did say it will happen just not right now. Had I continued working, I would be in surgery after the first of the year. Thank you Lord for helping me to come to the decision to retire. Lunch with my sister Rosie was a blast today. She had Gary with her. He is so darn cute. We called Santa so he could talk to him. His facial expressions priceless. Thank you for lunch Rosie. Heading home we stopped by Tippy Canoe where they had everything decorated in a Winter wonderland of fun. Then Sheri helped me finishing packing for my trip. Thank you ever so much. Only things left or last minute. Today Lord I'm thankful for Sheri coming along with me to the doctors. The awesome doctors report that my friend received today that he is cancer free. YEA! Now onto healing from the surgery. Prayers continue to go up. Thankful Lord for my awesome doctors report today that I don't have to have surgery for awhile. Thankful for lunch with my sister and great nephew. The phone call to Santa that bright smiles and amazement to my great nephews face. Thankful for the help of getting my suitcases packed for up coming travel. That I had clear roads today traveling from home to Hood River and back again. I'm thankful for the Christmas wonderland that I so enjoy. Today Lord I'm thankful for this day that you have blessed me with. For answered prayers, for a chance to see all the goodness you continue to bless me with daily. I'm thankful for your provision and healing hand upon those I love and myself Lord. I am so very thankful. Blessings

December 16~ Good morning Saturday! Today is my baby sisters birthday! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Rosie and many many more! Today three years ago I signed the paper work to purchase the home I live in today. Thank you Lord that I can still live here and enjoy the beautiful home that so many of my amazing friends helped me paint and move all of my things into. Today I have a full plate of fun Christmas festivities to enjoy with the ladies. We are going to see the Nut Cracker. What a beautiful ballet. I so enjoy this Christmas event. I try to see it every year. I'm so grateful I once again was able to go.Thank you Sherilynn Ganther, for driving andAmyJune McClure, and Melissa Greely for coming with us today. Then off to dinner and the Grotto to see the Christmas lights. Another place I always enjoy going at Christmas time. It makes it more like Christmas. Love all the lights and the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior. The reason for the season. Home to get myself ready for an early rise. Figures I cannot go to sleep. Today Lord I'm thankful for my sister's you have blessed me with. I'm thankful that we were able to purchase this lovely home three years ago and that you make it possible for me to continue to live here. Thankful to Jen for sending me video of my sisters birthday celebration today. Thankful to have friends to go and enjoy the Nut cracker Ballet with then dinner and Christmas lights. Always better to share with those you love. Thankful for the memories made today. For prayers being said for those in need of healing and health. Thankful for prayers answered. Always love the prayer trees at the Grotto at this time of year. They touch my heart and soul. Thank you Lord for the beautiful hearts and love of those that will be praying over all those prayers that are left on them and the answers that will come. Thank you Lord that you watch over me daily and meet all of my various needs above and beyond my wildest dreams. I'm thankful for this day and all you have gifted me with. Blessings

With the shorter days

And the highly anticipation of 

Of the Jolly 

Old St. Nick

Each child sits and writes

Their wish list 

Of dreams.

Whats on your?

Taylor's Adventures Through Travel & Christmas

ELF ON THE SHELVE

December 17

At the airport waiting to board.

 It is crazy here. 

We got the extra pat down and search.

 Rather aggressive actually. 

They have the dogs out. 

He sniffed me out!

December 18

Oh my goodness! 

This tree is filled with all kinds of bulbs and other interesting decor. 

Wondering why Santa would be wearing a Raiders jersey. 

Found a snowman for mom. 

So much glitter and fun.....

think I'll hang out here for awhile.

December 19

Santa help! 

The cat thinks I'm his snuggle toy. 

HELP!

 I need rescuing from the claws of this creature!

 Save me!

December 20

I found lots of cars.

 I think a little boy may live here. 

I wonder if its the one that blamed me for spilled milk!?!

December 21

Taylor found the children's Christmas tree in the girls bedroom. 

Said they have lovely taste in decor. 

He likes the glass bulbs.

 Sparkle and glitter make Taylor the elf a happy elf.

December 22

Taylor said Webber Heather buys yummy coffee!

December 23

Series Of Photos of Taylor

Taylor and I found out yesterday we weren't playing correctly. 

So today he found the girls shoe bag and hung out there.

 Rylee was so excited she found him. 

Tomorrow a new place to hide out so the kids can find him.

December 24

I'm here in the fridge.

 It's cold and no one found me.

 It's going to be a frosty night.

 At least I didn't get blamed for spilled milk. 

Maybe Santa will rescue me when he has his cookies and milk. 

I can only hope.

December 25

I was finally rescued from this cold ice box.

 And no spilled milk. 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours. 

Many blessings.