Christmas

Christmas came a little early for us as Parker came home for two weeks on Wednesday, December 22. We headed early to the airport, introduced Libby to her Uncle Parker, and then headed to one of the restaurants on Parker's list of places to go while he is home. On the 23rd, we had Parker's college roommates, their wives, and children over for a visit. I know all the boys enjoyed getting together and catching up on each other. We enjoyed meeting their families and hope they will all come back to see us soon.
On Christmas Eve, Savannah, Jason, Libby, Momma, and Daddy joined us for lunch. Before they left, Momma and Daddy gave them an early Christmas present. They deeded their land in Sumter County to the kids. Here is a picture of them checking out the deed and a map of the land.



Savannah, Jason, and Libby left early as they had Christmas with Cheri, Mike, and Jeremy that afternoon and with Mrs. Rickman that night.

Christmas morning began a new tradition. Both sets of grandparents were invited to Savannah and Jason's home for brunch and to watch as Libby checked out her gifts from Santa.

Brunch was delicious: casseroles, cinnamon rolls, and pigs in a blanket.



After eating, we all settled in to watch Libby. Of course, she didn't know what was going on, but as usual, she enjoyed the attention. Santa brought her (or maybe her parents) a DVD player for the car, some books, and a doll in a stroller.



We took several groups of pictures. Here are a few:







And my favorite:



After brunch, we headed home while Savannah, Jason, and Libby headed to Pickens County and Cheri's parents, the Drakes. While they were celebrating again, we were resting up at home and getting our Christmas meal ready.

As soon as Savannah, Jason, and Libby got to our house, we ate and then we settled in to watching Libby open more presents.
This chair from Mamaw and Pop is going to be a favorite.



She also received several books from Uncle Parker. Two, The Christmas Story and Goodnight Moon, are in French. Parker tried to read them to Libby, but she just couldn't sit still.

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Whatever Libby was doing, we were enjoying it. I think she enjoyed the paper, ribbons, and boxes the most.



I was very proud of myself for not overdoing. I did get Libby three pair of pajamas, Toy Story I,II, and III, and some books. Of course, I did buy her some Christmas outfits early for her to wear during the holidays.



Parker brought gifts from different countries. I received a beautiful bowl from Portugal; Dennis got a Swiss Army Knife from (you guessed it); Savannah got a cork covered scrapbook; and Jason got a unique cross to add to their collection.

It was a great time for family, and we are not through yet. Tonight we will go to Emily and Buddy's for the Windle Family Christmas. Everyone should be there except Leigh Ann who is now living in England with her new hubby.

Parker Arrives in Alabama

The entire Windle family has been anxiously awaiting and counting down Parker's visit from France. We left early for Birmingham hoping to avoid the five o'clock traffic rush. Libby took her nap right on time, and we arrived over an hour early. We let Libby finish her nap then headed inside.

Libby and "Coach" watch the arriving planes hoping one has Uncle Parker on it!



It was a good thing that we got there early as Parker's ETA was now 5:08. We saw many happy reunions as we waited for Parker: a solder met his wife and young child; several sets of grandparents were greeted by grandchildren; and college kids were returning home for the holidays. (We also saw Greg McElroy heading home for the holidays. Roll Tide!)

Savannah and Jason were also so excited that Parker was coming home for a visit.



We were all wondering how Libby would react to Parker. They have visited via Skype several times, so we felt he would not be a complete stranger to her.

Coach and Libby wait with a welcome home sign.



As usual, Libby does not meet a stranger and reached out for Parker as soon as he got to us.







Welcome home, Parker! I know we will have a holly, jolly Christmas this year!

Do I love books because I'm a librarian, or am I a librarian because I love books?

I have been pondering this question today because I have thought all day long about sharing my small collection of children's Christmas books. I started collecting these books many years ago, and for some reason, I did not choose the whimsical, fun, silly Christmas books that children love so much. Now that Libby is here, I know that I will add those fun books to my collection.

Although neither of these was the first in my collection, they were purchased early. It was interesting reading about the story behind the candy cane and the first Christmas tree. I have seen many people pass out the candy cane with a brief description of what its stripes mean.


I also chose books that have been around for a long time. The next one was first a letter written to Santa and then printed in a newspaper. I liked the meaning found in this book as well as the way this book was illustrated. And, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.


I bought one of the following books because it depicts one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. The other is relatively new, and I love how Joseph wonders how he can be a father to the God who created everything. It is a good read for all dads.



The next, The Crippled Lamb, was the first in my collection and probably the reason that I am still collecting. It is the awesome story of a crippled lamb that is not allowed to go out to graze with the other sheep in the cold, cold night because he is crippled. Since the lamb is upset, his friend, the cow, tells him that he is special and that God has a purpose for everyone including him. Of course, the stable that the lamb stayed in was the very one in which Jesus was born. The lamb's purpose was to keep the baby warm on this cold, cold night. I have shared this book at many parties, used it as a devotion, and reread it many times over the holidays. It still makes me cry, and I always feel the presence of God when reading it.



My last purchase was Saturday, and I bought Charlie Brown's Christmas because of something that was posted on Parker's Facebook page. It was a video of Linus telling all of us the true meaning of Christmas. Even though it is fun and silly at times, it is right on the mark concerning what Christmas is all about. For this book, I got the copy with sounds just for Libby.



So, what do you think? Do I love books because I'm a librarian, OR am I a librarian because I love books?

Christmas Memories

I recently enjoyed a friend's blog about her Christmas tree and ornaments and thought to myself how wonderful that must be to have so many memories on your tree. The more I thought about it though the more I realized that I, too, have memories on my tree. So, Lynn, I hope you don't mind that I "copy" you, but I'd like to share about our tree.

The first tree that Dennis and I had as a married couple did not last until Christmas. The reason? Our black cat, Gemima, kept jumping from the breakfast bar to the tree and knocking it down. We were lucky that our ornaments on that first tree were not the breaking kind. What were they you may ask? Well, they were actually many, many, many match boxes wrapped in left over paper from Windle's Clothing Store covered with bows made from left over yarn that I used for crewel work. I still have two of those boxes (only two because Savannah found them when she was around three and had opened all of them except two before I could get to her), and they are now stored in Santa's bag. The Santa was one of my first attempts at ceramics.



For many years afterwards, our trees were a hodgepodge of ornaments. As a teacher, I usually received ornaments for Christmas, and one year I realized that the majority of them were Santa Clauses. So when Shona Carpenter, one of Dennis's basketball players who started as a 6th grader on Warrior Academy's varsity team, gave Dennis a beautiful Santa's head ornament, I decided then and there that we would have a Santa themed tree. This is the first official Santa ornament that Shona gave Dennis:



From then on, whenever we took a trip, I picked up a Santa for our tree; or whenever something special happened, we found a Santa ornament to help us remember it.

The year we moved back to Pickens County I chose this Hallmark ornament to represent Dennis spending a lot of time on our tractor and enjoying it on our land.



As a little girl, Savannah loved those ugly Troll dolls. One of our ornaments is actually one of the set of Christmas trolls that Savannah had.



The year Dennis's girls basketball team won the State Championship I bought this Santa playing basketball. We had not won the title at the time I bought this Santa, but I was thinking positively!



The last ornament that I want to mention is very old. It belonged to my brother-in-law's father. He was at all of our Thanksgiving and Christmas get-to-gethers, and my children loved his wit and huge smile. This ornament actually belonged to him, and after his death, Emily had it in a yard sale. I picked it up because it was Pop Kirk's and it was a Santa.



Each year for many years my mom has bought everyone in the family a Hallmark ornament as part of their Christmas. I have too many to share, but I always think of my mom when I take them out of their box and find a place for them on my tree. Each time I see someone else's beautiful tree I think about changing mine, but I can't do it. There are too many memories.

Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl

"Over the river and through the woods" to Aunt Emily's house we went for our annual Thanksgiving get-together. Since Dennis and I have been married, my parents have been included in all Windle celebrations. This has made it easy for us as we didn't have to divide our time between two families. My being an only child made that possible. We were missing Parker and Amy's family, but we are looking forward to Christmas when everyone will be there.
As this was Libby's first Thanksgiving, we were eager to see how she met many "new" faces. Libby doesn't seem to meet a stranger, and Thanksgiving was no different. She greeted everyone with her bright eyes and smiles especially the only other two children there: Addie and Matt. She doesn't seem to know what to think of Matt in his Indian costume.

As she is starting to eat table food, she was allowed to have some of Aunt Emily's homemade rolls. She didn't miss a crumb!



Savannah and Jason tried to get some pictures of their little family. I thought this one was good.


During this past football season, Savannah, Jason, and Libby have come over and watched the games with us. It is hard to believe that the regular season is over, and Alabama only has the bowl game left to play. Each week Libby has dressed for the occasion. This houndstooth onesie is my favorite. Go Bama!

Decorating for Christmas

I usually don't like to put my Christmas decorations up this early, but I'm excited about this Christmas. Parker will be home in five weeks, and we have a little one to enjoy all the festivities anew. Since, this is only our second Christmas in this house, I'm contemplating where my decorations will go. I was not particularly happy with what I did last year, so I'm going to make some changes. Putting decorations that have had a definite place in a previous home into a new place in a new home takes some consideration as well as trial and error. If you have moved as much as I have, you will understand. No matter, the traditions are still there, and for the most part, my decorations are the same. (I did sell a lot when we left Carrollton because I knew that I would not have the storage that I had there.)
I started in my kitchen/dining area this weekend. Usual holly on the light fixture, Santa pitcher and mugs above the china cabinet, and a Christmas platter along with tins and other holiday jars for fudge, divinity, party mix, etc. on the kitchen counter are a good start. I have new red dishes that I will use for most of December, but I do plan to pull the Lenox Christmas dishes out on Christmas Eve. (Momma bought me these years ago, and I just haven't used them which is ridiculous. I think she will be happy knowing that I am using them.) I have an arrangement on the sideboard (which is old, I don't like, and will probably change), and I have no idea what I want to do on the table. So, even though I have started in there, I'm nowhere near finished.
I decorated the foyer tonight and did a little in the living room. I moved my sofa table to the foyer because its location is where I will put our tree. On it, I put my large family Bible opened to Luke 2 with two large white/gold paper mache' angels on either side. On the wall above, I have an old wreath decorated with brass bells from the Holy Land. I think I need to replace my bows on this wreath, but I'm bad about not doing things like this once it is up. (That means I'm lazy.)
I also decorated my mantel tonight. I put garland up with ribbon running through it. Again, I think I need to add some lights, which I have, but I'm not sure that I will do. On the mantel itself, I added my gold paper mache' deer family complete with bows around their necks.

I have another "sofa type table" (does that make sense) that I'm trying to decide what to do with. I will probably put my nativity scene on it.
My tree will go up this weekend. I bought it new last year and love it. It is very tall since my ceilings in the living room are high. I collect Santa ornaments, but I'm contemplating putting all my ornaments on the tree this year. (We have collected Hallmark ornaments for years. It is one of the things that Momma buys for all or us each year.) I usually top the tree with a Santa hat, but I'm thinking about adding some pizzazz if I can figure out how to do it.
Other than a few things in the bathrooms and wreaths on the bedroom doors, that is probably all that I will do inside this year.
So, I've started rather early, but I'm getting in the mood. Now, if I could just get my Christmas list written and gifts bought!

Another Sleepless Night; Another Blog

It has been busy around our house lately: moving Savannah and Jason's "stuff" back to their house; the Fall Festival at Chapel Hill with Wilma, Fred, and Pebbles; and a trip to the Christmas Village in Birmingham. Everything was fun except moving "stuff" back to Coker. I'm sure Jason and Savannah are not having fun unpacking everything, but they did have fun as the Flintstones!

CRMS has been having a book fair for the last six days, and Mandee (my friend and library aide) and I have been very busy selling books and junk as well as running the library. It has actually been very successful considering the economy. I think the extra 200 students have pushed us over the $3,000 mark. I'd like to note here that I am addicted to middle school books. It started with the Harry Potter series. I have never been a fan of fantasy fiction, but I read this series (in one week, I might add) because I felt that I needed to know what the kids were so excited about. I've been hooked on fantasy since. So, if your looking for a good book, try the Harry Potter series, Fablehaven series, Ranger's Apprentice series, Vampirates series, Apprentice series, Charlie Bone series, Children of the Lamp series; Gregor of the Underworld series, etc. etc. Mandee and I always read the new books to make sure that they are appropriate for middle school kids. We use to take the AR tests and rank in the top three, but, alas, our AR is not working, and I can't afford the new Renaissance Place (or rather, it is not important to our principal--did I say that?)

Tomorrow, Dennis goes back to Dr. Sanford at the Cancer Center to get the results of his scan. His blood work looked good, so we are hoping tomorrow that everything looks so much better that his further treatment will be limited. Dennis is finally getting his strength back, and I don't think he is looking forward to feeling bad again.

We are excited that Parker will be coming home for two weeks: December 22 through January 6. We have been informed that his main plan is to EAT: eat at some Mexican restaurant in Birmingham; Wings, Dreamland; The Plantation House; and, of course, Aunt Emily's during Christmas. He is also going with a college group to the Passion in Atlanta for a few days. This will give him the opportunity to catch up with friends from college.

Momma went back to the doctor this week, also, and she got a good report. She still has her on prednisone, but I think she will get off of it after her next visit. The last few days she has sounded stronger on the phone and tells me that she is feeling better. She and Daddy enjoyed our visit last week, or rather they enjoyed Libby. It was like we weren't even there!

Savannah and I have been shopping for Libby this past weekend. We went to the shop in downtown Northport (I never can remember the name), and it was having Christmas Open House with 30% off all Christmas. Needless to say, Libby has a new smocked dress for Christmas as well as two cute outfits (one can be worn on through winter because it has a snowman on it) and a couple of Christmas bibs. We finally found some black shoes, so now she has two pair of boots and two pair of shoes. Yes, a nine month old needs four pairs of shoes! (Maybe even more if we can find some cute red ones!) Sunday we went to Christmas Village in Birmingham. Actually, this was a trip that the girls in her Sunday School class make every year, but Savannah invited Cheri and me to go with her. (She knew what she was doing!) Savannah bought her another smocked dress, and Cici and I bought some knit tops and bottoms that Cici plans to embroider. I've decided to go buy paint pens and get back in the shirt decorating business. I still have sweatshirts that I did for Parker, Savannah, and myself when the kids were little. And no, Dennis wouldn't wear one!

One of these days I'm going to figure out how to add pictures to my posts, and when I do, look out!

Sleepless in Northport

For the third out of four nights, I can't sleep. Trying to determine why I can't sleep has become a nighttime occupation. Tonight, my guess is the medication for bronchitis.
I've been wanting to write about Savannah and Jason's new home but did not want to usurp their announcement. Finally, I think they have decided that the purchase of their new home in the Clear Creek subdivision on HW43 is definite as Savannah has mentioned it in her latest blog. This is the third house that they have looked at in their search. The first two did not go through which is good because this house is more of what they want. It is located on the back side of Carroll Street, and no houses will ever be built behind them as it is wetlands. It is in a neighborhood of young people; children are everywhere. It has four bedrooms and two baths with a separate dining room and a long porch across the back of the house. Most important, it is close to Gran and Coach who can drop by to visit sweet Libby more often!
This past weekend we spent boxing up the kitchen and other breakable objects. These items are now stored in my garage along with the outside stuff from the storage shed and carport. I know. We'll just have to move them again, but this weekend is going to be a busy one for all of us, so we had to get a jump start. Besides moving, Jason and Savannah's basketball team is playing in a weekend tournament; there is a party for Brant and his new fiancee; and the fall festival is at their church. Jason is going to coach by himself while Savannah is helped by members of their Sunday School class. They are so blessed to have such an awesome group of friends in their SS class.
Dennis overdid this weekend and was totally exhausted. He is no longer taking radiation or chemo. The doctors gave him a break to get his energy back. His latest blood work was good, and he will have a scan in a little over a week. The doctors will then determine what further treatment he should have. Savannah and I have already told him that he will do no more lifting, but he will be the loading specialist giving orders. That will be hard for him to do because he has always been in the midst of every move we've made (and there have been many moves!)
Our latest news on Parker is that he will be home for Christmas. The IMB has signed him on for another year, so he is coming home December 22 through January 6. He already has plans to go to Atlanta around New Year's with Jon Wiggin's group of college kids. (Jon was one of his roommates at Mobile and is now Youth/College Minister at Skyland Baptist.) We are excited that he is coming home, and I am glad that he doesn't have to spend another Christmas away from family.

When it rains......

I guess everyone has heard the old saying, "When it rains, it pours." Well, it has been pouring at my house lately. Dennis is still going through radiation and chemo. He should be through with radiation next week. He has been extremely tired and has missed a few days of work in order to rest. Two weeks ago Momma found out that she has fibrosis, and she has been in the hospital for five days after a lung biopsy to see how far the disease had progressed. So, I've been a little stretched between afternoons and nights at the hospital with Momma and trying to find time to be with Dennis and to help him with his work at school. To add to that, I have bronchitis and am not feeling up to par myself. Also, the news is talking about how Americans should be on alert when traveling in Paris. So, we are all somewhat concerned about Parker's safety. Finally, however, the pouring has stopped, and it is back down to a fine mist.
I really need to thank all the friends and family who have stepped up with offers to help me and especially to pray for my family. Prayers can definitely be felt, and this "pouring time" has caused me to reflect on prayer. It is amazing the sense of peace you get from knowing that others are praying for you, and plan on praying more for others everyday. It has caused me to wonder how people who don't have God and prayer manage through "pouring times."
On a more positive note, I get to spend Friday with Libby. I'm taking a day off just so I can spend the day with her. We plan on going shopping, hanging out, and just having fun.

Decisions

I can't believe that it has been two months since I started this blog. Of course, s lot has been going on with The Windle's and a lot of decisions have been made and are being made. Dennis found out at the end of July that he had colon cancer. Surgery went well with Dr. Gross, the dad of one of his students/ball players, and a decision had to be made about chemo/radiation. We started out at the DCH Cancer Center but ended up at The Cancer Center, a Christian based center for cancer treatment. Dennis decided to do what I wanted him to do all along, and that was to take radiation and chemo treatments as a precautionary method. I had cancer over twenty years ago, and I feel that the chemo that I had then is the reason that I am still here. Dennis has been on radiation and mild chemo for almost three weeks. His only side effect to date is extreme tiredness. He continues to work every day and helps with football when he can.
Another decision that will affect The Windle's involves Parker. His time in Paris was to be up this past August 1st. Because he had reached a people group that had not been reached before and because of career missionaries and new journeyman going on furlough, it was decided that he would stay three more months. Now that those three months are almost over, there are three new possibilities. He will either (1) come home, (2) come home for two months and go back for one year, or (3) come home for two months and go back two years. Needless to say, we would like him to be home but we also know that he will do what the Lord wants him to do. So, we are waiting on this decision.
Another decision involves Libby. She has had special shoes since she was a couple of months old. (I remember the day these were first put on, and the stress on Savannah and Jason's faces as they walked into Mr. Bill's. I think it was the first time that they experienced how much a parent can hurt when their child hurts.) Savannah and Jason were told that the shoes would come off during the day as soon as Libby started pulling up. Well, she started pulling up at six months, and when Savannah called the doctor, he told Savannah that she wasn't ready to pull up yet. (I wonder how he knew that since he was in Birmingham and had not seen Libby.) Finally, today, Savannah called the doctor again because they are concerned that the shoes may affect her walking, and a new appointment has been made. Hopefully, the decision will be to no longer wear the shoes during the day.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. We all make them everyday. Some are so easy. Some are not. Most affect us greatly. We pray fpr the right decisions.

Blog/Diary/Journal

As a teenager, I kept a diary every day of my life. As an adult, I tossed that diary away and am now so sorry that I did. It was filled with my day-to-day life in Aliceville, Alabama, and also with my friends from school, Aliceville High School. I wish that I still had those diaries, later called journals and now blogs. I remember that they told stories of band practice and trips to games and parades through many new directors; parties on either Friday or Saturday night, usually at Allyson's home;(Her folks were great to let us bombard their home almost every weekend.); dances at least one night a weekend;(There were three local bands to provide music-The Galaxie, The Renegades, and The Swinging Newbeats.) Aliceville Yellow Jacket football games; favorite and not so favorite teachers, fun and boring classes (Can anyone forget Coach Shelton's history classes? I can--I learned no history.), and wonderful friends. While there were a lot of good times written about in my diaries, I know there were also heartaches from girls being girls and boys being boys. What fun I had, and what would I do to still have a record of those years.
I write this to say that I encouraged Savannah to write a diary during her teen years. She did not do so, but she is now writing a blog. So, I thought that I would start a new diary (blog) for this new era in my life.
At this time in my life, I have two grown children: Parker is serving in Paris, France, as a Journeyman with the International Mission Board, and Savannah is teaching Algebra I at Holt High School. She and Jason, her awesome husband, presented us with Libby JoAnna this past February, and life has truly become exciting.
While Dennis and I are thoroughly enjoying our empty nest, we do enjoy our flock when they return to the nest. It makes for some fun times.