Christmas Memories

This will be one of my best Christmas memories

Christmas goose

It's time to cook the goose :-)

Let the Christmas baking begin:-)

Sister Time

My Aunt's wake on December 1st  gifted me with extended family time and I was tremendously blessed by it.

Because we had been at the wake the evening before I opted to kidnap a couple of my sisters, because it practically takes that, and go for an outing!  Every vehicle I ever drive always knows the way to the Outlet Mall in San Marcos, Texas.  Amazing! Our first stop was a shoe store of course, and after meandering through one aisle after another with no background voices asking to take them to the potty or mentioning that they might starve to death, we made a purchase!  One pair of shoes and boots!  We then aimlessly and joyfully went from one store to the next and found stupendous and outrageous deals of the day! And then one of us gave in and said it, "I'm KINDA hungry."   So we stopped the shop and ate and smiled and had some Face Time with one of the sisters that was not able to make our outing. Thank you Aunt Lupe for your  life celebration that gifted me time with my family.

The twelfth of twelve

I attended my Aunt Lupe's wake on December 1, 2012.  She was the twelfth of twelve children.  She was my mother's last living sibling.  I doubt she ever knew this, but I felt I had a special connection to her. I am the twelfth of twelve.  I wish I had told her so.   I was hoping to see her during the holidays and had planned to do so with my girls. 
It is again one of those life lessons that reminds me that I should not put off what is on my mind and heart.

Guadalupe Davilla Charles 1926-2012

Our Poet Monica

Monica's poem published in The Los Angeles Review Fall 2012. Our copy came in the mail today! We are always very proud of you Monica. :-) +Monica McClure Love you.

Christmas 2012

First batch of Christmas strawberry bread:-) A family favorite :-)

Oysters on the grill

Oysters Rockefeller on the grill.:-)

Christmas tree hunt

We searched & we found it! Our 2012 Christmas tree:-) Decorating is next! The kids had to make the final decision because I couldn't. Too many choices:-)

iPad mini

I like the iPad mini! But I like almost ALL technology

September Rain

The day started off hot as usual, and then just like that the skies opened up and the rain came down!

Rain Dance!

Rain Jump!

 Let it pour!

Playing in the rain of course!

Blue Moon 2012

Blue Moon. One in my hand and one in the sky!

Summer 2012

Brotherly Love

Zilker Park Austin Texas

A visit from Ben Fama

Reflections on the Summer of 2012 It has been a summer to remember.  I will never forget it.
I have learned that people are so special.  I have been awakened to the realization that life does go by fast!
I am still trying to accept the loss of my nephew, who was only four days older than I.  I know now that he was a unique part of my life.  Our mothers carried us in their wombs at the same time.  We started first grade together and drove off as nervous teenagers to college together.   I already miss the fact that we will not grow old together.
I have also had some great times with my immediate family this summer, and even though I was not able to be with all 7 of my children at once, I was able to see them ALL at some point in the summer.  That was pure oxygen.
I spent a lot of time with the “babies” and reveled in the joy of their childhood as we went to the Zoo, museums, Six Flags, rivers, beaches and of course, all of their baseball and softball games.  They became amateur hotel raters and used their own star system to rate the hotels we stayed in. The hotel with the sleep # beds was a Six ****** for them!
There were wonderful visits from friends and family and backyard bbq’s and yes all the other stuff like money woes, impatience, lost tempers,and those common annoyances all families experience.   I choose to remember the good.   It is what is most important to me and what I choose to replay in my mind as I reflect on the Summer of 2012.
I see the  light in the eyes of my youngest as they exited their first rollercoaster ride together, and the way my older children embrace each other when they are reunited after being apart for months.  It has been a summer to remember and I will never forget it.