I'm Celebrating Christmas

Earlier today I posted the following message on Twitter and Facebook: I've put up a Christmas tree with Christmas lights. I've bought Christmas presents and I'm listening to Christmas music. I'm celebrating Christmas. And you?

Methinks that needs some clarification. It wasn't a Christmas update. It was more like a for-the-record announcement. What I would've said, had Twitter allowed me the additional characters, is that I'm not celebrating just any old holiday. I'm celebrating the gift that tops all others-- Immanuel, God with us-- and my soul is sorely tired of the word Christmas being avoided like it's an offensive slur.

When I wish you a Merry Christmas, friend, I don't mean Happy Holidays or I'd say Happy Holidays. When I wish you a Merry Christmas I'm saying that I hope that in this season of Christ's birth you would enjoy His presence and know His love.

And now that we've got that clear, how's your Christmas coming? I'm way into it! Nary a room around here has been neglected. About the only thing left to say is lights, camera, action! (As soon as I add the fresh greenery, I'll share some pics with y'all.) To be honest, I may have went a little crazy with the white lights this year. I just can't get enough of 'em. If it were up to me, Dixie Belle would be wired with a battery operated lit up collar, but she has declined the offer. She has, however, agreed to cooperate, kinda, with this Santa hat pic-- if I do it quickly.

Funny, yes? I can't help it. I'm feeling particularly jolly tonight. Somehow, I've managed to get most of the house decorated and the majority of my shopping done without falling behind on writing deadlines. But what's even better, tomorrow Beloved Hubby and I are going to have our annual Christmas shopping wrap-up/movie and meal date. And by annual I truly mean once a year! We always say we're going to go out more in the next year, see more movies, yada yada. We never do. And we're fine with that. The man and I are suckers for a home movie and a bowl of popcorn in our chair and a half.

But, that's tomorrow... Tonight there's a fire cracking in the fireplace, the lights are shining, and our tummies are full of tacos, the man's favorite meal. If we're lucky, there will even be some college hoops on the tube later. Meanwhile, I think I'll be pecking away on the old laptop, polishing up a new Facebook page I'm working on. It's all about River Jordan's and my "Great Southern Wing and a Prayer Tour"-- coming to a southern city this spring. Watch for it.

Enjoy life's sweet moments, friends. They come and go much too quickly.

Merry Christmas Hugs,

Shellie

P.S. Are you celebrating Christmas?

Christmas 08

Christmas 2008 from our home to yours

I was so blessed by all the cards and letters I got from y'all this year. Thank you very much for thinking of us. Here's the Tomlinson Christmas card from our Thanksgiving pictures. Yes, that should've been enough time to get it out, but no, it did not get mailed. :)

And now, the Christmas recap...

My, oh my, y'all, but there was some cooking done at the Tomlinson home. Tuesday, while Phil and Patrick hunted, (bless their hearts, someone had to), and Carey and Phillip made some other family rounds, my sweet daughter and I wore ourselves to a wonderful frazzle. Here's a pic of the two story gingerbread dollhouse Jessica and I made for Miss Emerson. We had plans to make her a mailbox with her name on it, but we started running out of time. Jessica and I were quite impressed with ourselves.



We felt like our masterpiece rivaled last year's cajun gingerbread display with the accompanying gator.Yes, I know. Some of you have forgotten last year's marvel and some of you missed it. Here, I dug up that pic for you!

Phil and I were up late Christmas Eve playing Santa for four adults and one precious four week old bundle of grandchild named Emerson Ann. One too young to know, the others too old to pretend, but then, traditions are us. Hence the familiar game Phil and I played: "Do you think Patrick got enough?" "I think so, but what about Carey?" and "Does Jessica's pile look too small?" "Whoa! Phillip must've been good this year."

The next morning the big unveil came with surprises for all. Carey and Phillip made Jessica and I both cry with their gifts. Jessica's tearjerker gift was a print by local photographer Amy Terral. It's a gorgeous pic of our lake with the Oliver Wendell Holmes quote: "Where we love is home- home where our feet may leave but not our heart." Jessica will hang that print in her Houston home and think of us every time she passes it!

My tearjearker gift came in the form of a photo frame and quote, "For these children I have prayed." Carey said she put Emerson is in it until Grant Thomas can arrive in April for a duo photo. Yes, I have prayed for these babies and will consider it an honor to continue to pray that they will know the joy of serving Jesus, my King, My Savior, My Lord.

And now, to lighten up a moment. Here's my sweet son-in-law, Patrick, with one of his fav gifts. It reads, "Ain't nothing like a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium."

I loved giving Jessica outfits for the much anticipated arrival of Grant Thomas and she loved getting them!

Phil and I, (now known as Pops and Keggie) pose with Princess Emerson herself.

Emerson Ann shows off her finery and her folks!

And then she makes her wishes well known. "That's enough Keggie. No more pics."

And just like that, another Christmas has come and gone and the tree is bare. Blessings on you all. Let's seek Him in '09 with more fervor than ever before. He is worthy.

Hugs,
Shellie