What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope
for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings
rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.  -Agnes M. Pahro

Keith makes homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas morning…delicious!

Our family was on Santa’s nice list…

A few of the gifts to me, from my family…and Yes, I cried…

From my daughter, Toni, a ceramic coffee mug engraved; “Jenny, RN You’re My Inspiration”

One of the many gifts, from my son, Matthew, who understands my love of Paris, and the Eiffel Tower…

My son, Reggie, gave me a Willow Tree figurine, My Hero.

My husband, totally surprised me with the lens that I have been hoping for…and yes, I am in LOVE! This lens is amazing!!

Part II post later…Hope your Christmas has been a beautiful one, and filled with what matters the most…being surrounded by loved ones, and making new memories!

-Jenny

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent,
tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity. 
To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.  -Oren Arnold

Taking a moment to reflect on memories of the special magic of Christmas as a child with family, and loved ones, and as an adult remembering the sparkle in my childrens eyes Christmas morning.

Around the house, glimpses of Christmas…

In Old World Germany, the last decoration placed on the Christmas tree was always a pickle…carefully hidden deep in the boughs. Legend has it that the observant child who found it on Christmas Day was blessed with a year of good fortune…and a special gift!

The legend may not be real, but Keith hid our Christmas pickle on our tree tonight…

Creme Brulee for Christmas dinner tomorrow

Chinese for supper, and now we’re all watching Elf…hoping your Christmas Eve is a beautiful one. Until tomorrow…

-Jenny

 Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer
and more beautiful.  -Norman Vincent Peale

Lights up on the outside of the house-check. Livingroom tree up, and decorated-check. Diningroom tree up, and decorated-check. The house is coming together, and I am getting excited for our holiday.

Livingroom Christmas Tree…

I decided to stay with an all silver theme, again this year. Eiffel towers, butterflies, dragonflies, and tons of silver glitter!

Diningroom Christmas Tree…

A majority of the ornaments on this little tree holds homemade ornaments created by my children when they were in elementary school. A smorgasborg of memories.

The outside of the House…

It’s all coming together. Hope your weekend was a productive one. Until next time.

-Jenny

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.  -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Our Thanksgiving was a small, relaxed one. I was scheduled to work at the hospital today, and was able to share Thanksgiving dinner with my patients, and home to a small meal with my husband, Matthew, and his girlfriend. My daughter volunteered to work for a coworker so he could be home with his family, and Reggie is still away at boot camp…

This morning while at work I received a phone call from Reggie, and we were able to speak for a few minutes. He sounds so good, and states that he is doing very well. He made sharp shooter on the firing range, and survived the gas chamber drill. I miss him so much….

Nothing fancy this year, and just the basics…but a table full of love, and blessings…and we are truly blessed.

I hope your Thanksgiving was equally beautiful, and blessed…

-Jenny

Happy Birthday Wishes to my perfect husband. Matthew, and I surprised him with a surf, and turf birthday meal.

I hope all of his *wishes* come true…lord knows this man has answered all of my *wishes*…

 Happy Birthday, Keith. We love you…

-Jenny

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. – Reinhold Niebhur

Reggie arrived safely in Columbia, South Carolina, Monday night to begin basic combat training at Fort Jackson. He is in the Red Phase and I pray he is doing okay. We were able to talk for a few minutes Monday night prior to his processing beginning, and he told me he probably would not be able to make a call for two weeks. Once we hear from him we’ll be able to find out what unit he is in so we can make the plane reservations to attend his graduation.

Tuesday afternoon completed an eleven day stretch at work. Speaking of which, I am loving that my husband is on the dayshift now. I have been sleeping great having him home at night.

This morning I finally took time for me and visited my hairdresser. Yeah, it’s the little things that make me smile. Thinking I should have listened to my daughter sooner when she commented how much grey I had.

Our family pictures came in, and I have to say that my family is just too adorable…

School has been stressing me out recently [okay, I should write: school has been stressing me out more than usual], so in an attempt to run away from my responsibilities I have been reading ROOM. An amazing book narrated by five year old, Jack.

Well friends, for here, I am going to close. Until next time, I hope you are each well…

-Jenny