What a Wonderful Time of the Year.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. We were able to go to Christmas Eve communion service @ church, and then went to dinner w/Grandma, Papa, & Bena. We got home, and read the Christmas story in Luke. We let the boys open one present-- I picked it. They were a little disappointed to find out it was pajamas, but after their baths I let them open one more. They each got a digital camera. Coy set his up on movie mode in front of the fireplace. He was trying to catch Santa. (He doesn't believe anymore, but just wanted confirmation) We set out our cookies & milk, and apples for the reindeer. We didn't have anything to put together this year, but still ended up staying up 'til nearly midnight. We had to be sure the kids were asleep, and then finish putting the presents under the tree.

The boys were up bright & early, and played non-stop. They both got Heelys. Coy had one pair of ripped jeans, and a skinned up knee before he figured them out. Now he can do turns, and thinks he is the Heely master. :0) Seth is not so sure, but has enjoyed wearing them--looking oh so cool. They are both trying to learn there new Nintendo DS, and have enjoyed chatting w/each other more than any of the games.

Both sets of grandparents, and Bena came over for dinner. As usual we all ate too much, and needed a nap. Seth & I ended up falling asleep about 6:15pm. I woke up around 8:00pm. Seth slept until the next morning @ 7:30. :0) Coy & I ended up staying up 'till almost 2am watching Transformers. Fun Times :0)

Tim has been on vacation this week, and so I have worked 3 nights. I am glad to be done for the week. Hope to have some R & R this weekend. Here are some pics, enjoy. . .

Coy & his Heelys

Seth jamin' on his Lightning McQueen MP3

There must be Santa--Mom would never have bought a Nerf Dart Tag :0)

Coy

Seth

Wishing You Peace, Love, and Joy

Awesome Graphics at pYzam.com

You Are Invited to a Birthday Celebration for Jesus . . .

Dear Loved Ones:
As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor. I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time, there are many people shopping for gifts. There are many radio announcements and TV commercials. In every part of the world, everyone is talking about my birthday getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know that at least once a year, some people think of Me. As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them. In these times; however, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite, and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send Me an invitation. The party was for Me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in My face...and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise Me because in the last few years many close their doors to Me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk, and telling jokes and laughing at everything. Then this large man dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room with a loud Ho-Ho-Ho! All the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," as if the party were in his honor! Why did they all know this man, but had no idea who I was?
At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other. I extended My arms waiting for someone to hug me, and do you know no one hugged me. Suddenly, they all began to share lavish gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if maybe there was one for Me. How would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party, and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers Me.
I would like this Christmas that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give My life for you-- on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. Though many didn't invite Me to their party, I am planning My own celebration. A grandiose party that no one has ever imagined. A spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.
Today I am sending out many invitations, and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend. If you do, I will make a reservation for you. I will write your name with golden letters in My great guest book. Only those on who respond will be admitted to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation...or answer no, will be left outside. Be prepared. When all is ready, you will want to be part of My great party. It will be ready before you know it.

I Love you,

Jesus

PS: Please share this message with your loved ones before Christmas.
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A friend sent me this in an e-mail. I thought it would be nice to share. We are having a Birthday Celebration for Jesus tomorrow, Thursday 12-20. We will start at 4:00. (Sorry I didn't post this earlier) The plan is to have pizza & cake & bake/decorate cookies for the families we will go caroling to. I will be telling the Christmas Story, and then we will decorate our caroling books. We have 6 Senior adult families to visit, and spread some Christmas joy to. We'd love for you to join us.
:0) Kelly

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A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

Getting Ready for Christmas . . .

The Computer Is Not My Friend

So twice in the last couple of weeks I have had problems w/my computer. 1st all but one of my USB ports was fried. My nice computer tech neighbor came & fixed it right up. I get caught up on computer stuff, and then BAM--it's messed up again. The boys were playing on funbrain, and Coy says the computer "just shut off." When I went to try to turn it back on, it made a really bad noise, like some one stuck a pokemon card in the hard drive as it tried to start up. Then it just made two little sick beep sounds, and had a black screen. UGLY. I was having horrible thoughts of how I have just lost all the stuff I haven't saved to disks--like lots of my pictures. How bad that we have come to rely on digital stuff. At least I have. I thought my computer was completely fried. It really sounded bad. Anyway, it turns out it wasn't a big deal at all. My nice computer tech neighbor came over this morning, and in about two seconds pushed a couple of buttons, and wiggled a couple of plugs, and here I am. I will be spending the rest of the afternoon making disks of all my pictures :0) Will try to post something that you all might actually want to read, soon. Like pics of the boys :0)

Finally Back On

I was on the computer this weekend, attempting to get some pictures from my cameras internal memory. I took some pics of Seth w/the tree before I realized that I did not have my SD card in. Anyway long story made really short-- I somehow messed up all but one of the 7 USB ports on my computer. First, I thought my mouse had just gone bad. I bought I new one , and it didn't fix it. Fortunately, one of my neighbors is a computer tech guy @ Vandy. He was kind enough to walk me through diagnosing my problem over the phone, and then called Dell to tell them what I needed. Thankfully it was still covered by warranty. The part came today, and he came & fixed it for me. Yeah. I am glad to be back on, even though most of you probably didn't even realize I was not on. I am now going to reattempt to get those pics off my camera. Hopefully I will not mess my whole computer up again. I'll be sure to post them, if I can get it all to work. I guess that is enough BLAH BLAH BLAH for now. Later :0)