Whew! It's Christmas Time!

Can't believe it's been so long since I posted! If you're reading this you're a true friend for not giving up on me!

Just finished the busiest Christmas season ever!! The church/school schedule just about did us in this year! It was crazy. But now looking back, I can say it was great! God really blessed at every turn. Here's a partial list:

*"Christmas Joy" - Our church's gift to the Community (See http://theblattclan.blogspot.com/ Dec 9 entry)
*Two weddings performed (including rehearsals, dinners, & receptions)
*Two Children's Christmas Programs (Church & School - also on Blatt's blog above)
*Two boards at our house for dinner
*Moving Laura's Mom into a retirment home
*Laura's colonoscopy
*Laura's Parent Teacher Conferences
*School Grandparent's Day
*Two Christmas Dinners at Church
*District Advisory Board Dinner
*Hospital Visits
*Caroling for shut-ins (Drove bus for 35 people)
*Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
*Christmas Day Worship Service (Who put Christmas on a Sunday?)
*Four Family Birthdays

So that's why I haven't blogged. And why I'm tired. And why Christmas should never come on Sunday. BUT we flew to South Carolina yesterday and NOW are ready to have VACATION with the Smiths & Lipscombs. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! - GRANDKIDS & KIDS & FOOD & GAMES & PRESENTS!!!

We started the season with "Christmas Joy" - Now we'll end it with CHRISTMAS JOY 'til Jan 3rd!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS !

Is She Precious or What???

McKyah Faith Lipscomb - the cutest 10-month old I know!

Oklahoma Gang

Since Micah & Julia are not online, I have included a couple of Halloween pics for them here. Lexy & McKyah enjoy Halloween!

Travel Plans

Well, it's off to South Carolina during the holidays! We have decided it's important to us, so we're going to scrimp & go spend a few days with the east coast crew. And it turns out several Butchers will be headed to the same place at the same time. Should be fun! Few things make me happier than being with my progeny!

Once a Month Post

Been bad on posting. Will I try to do better? Maybe.
Took the wife to see "The Gospel" after reading the review at PluggedIn Online. We both really enjoyed it. The "happy gospel" music set our feet to tapping. Don't go expecting it to be a blockbuser. But it's not a poorly made "evangelistic film" either. I think you'll find it enjoyable, entertaining, and even somewhat uplifting. It attracted a respectful, but lively mostly black audience for our viewing. To my surprise nobody got up to clap, jump, or dance, though I almost did myself! (Who is this Boris Kodjoe guy? He's too good looking for his own good! And Tamyra Gray can do more than sing. That girl is a great little actress!) This is one we'll get the soundtrak to!

Who's moving now?

Well, it looks like my wife, Laura's Mother will need a place to live very soon. She's 86 years old, and although she suffered a stroke 12 years ago which has affected her speech, she is quite healthy and very independent. (Still driving, managing her own affairs, etc.) She has lived with Laura's sister in Cerritos for the last 12 years.

Well, they (Laura's sister & her husband) have decided to begin their retirement & move out of state. Mother does NOT want to leave her dr's, church, senior center, etc. So-o-o, we have tentatively offered for her to live with us.

I say tentatively because we have two adult kids living with us. And there are enough challenges with TWO generations living together, we don't think THREE generations will be compatible! Besides, for mother's independence & space for "things" she needs two rooms! So-o-o we have encouraged Corrie & Jeremy to begin looking for other alternatives. (Not a bad thing, but a financial challenge in So. CA)

Good thing? or Bad thing?

I have become increasingly dependent upon my technology. Is that a good thing? or a bad thing? Well, my laptop went dead - no power. That's a bad thing. Of course it took several days before I could get out to get it looked at. Then discovered that it was the ac adapter. That's a good thing! (Not a problem in the laptop) I Ordered the part to be shipped directly from Toshiba to my house. That's a good thing! They are back-ordered. That's a bad thing! But they can send a battery next day. That's a good thing, 'cause I need one anyway. But a battery is no good without the ac adapter to charge it! That's a bad thing. For the last 3-4 yrs I have used a laptop exclusively (at work, at home, on the road - the same computer.) That's a been a good thing. But when it's dead, that's a bad thing. So I have been without my computer for over a week. I DO have, however, my Palm Treo 650! That's a good thing 'cause it has all my contacts, calendar, etc. But internet connection is limited because of the small screen & memory. So, no blogging, reading blogs, quick searches etc. Sorting through 40-50 emails a day is also a big pain. That's a bad thing. (I think!) Sooo, good or bad, I can't wait to get back to normal. (Whatever that is!) And by the way, is "normal" a good thing or a bad thing?

Joy at Work?

“Managers control people and things.
Leaders give up control and serve people.
There’s a huge difference—
and that’s the essence of creating joy at work.”
--Dennis Bakke

You can read the whole article "Joy at Work: An Interview with Dennis Bakke"

I'm "batching it"

Laura left yesterday to spend 2 weeks visiting our kids & grandkids in Oklahoma and South Carolina. (She will get to see her sister in Carolina too!) I'm so glad she gets to do that before she has to go back to school. But it's weird. 'Don't think we've been separated that long before. And it's usually ME that's gone to a conference or something while she stays home. A great thing is this trip is FREE!! Using frequent flyer miles! Delta Rocks!

Funny thing: She decided that she needed to prepare and freeze a bunch of meals for me, so she worked for a week cooking & planning! Remember, I have 2 adult kids living in the house. We are ALL very capable of preparing our own food and often do so when she's home. Oh, well, it's nice to know we're loved!!

Grandsons' Sleepover

We love it that our grandkids enjoy coming to our house! We met our oldest daughter & fam for dinner last night. Our two "first" grandkids are Kevin (10), and Aron (8). When Aron found out that we were just going to dinner & not to "grandpa's house" he was sullen & sad. So, of course, we said, "Hey, why don't you come spend the night tonight!?" And suddenly Aron's whole outlook changed. We don't even have to do anything special, just hang out - and they still love it -- and so do we!!

We're ready to plan for one of my long-time dreams -- Cousin's Camp! Having all the grandkids who are old enough to come to our house (without Moms & Dads) for a few days of just us, just fun! Time to get a date set for next summer!