God Bless Us Everyone

Merry Christmas! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Memphis. This morning it's just us old folks: Matthew spent the night at his cousin Michael's, Chris has gone to Emily's where Becky and her family spent the night in sleeping bags in front of the Christmas tree (they're all having Christmas lunch with their mother and her husband). We will have our own Christmas lunch here and then everyone will be over about 4:00 for waffles and presents. Becky and Ryan and one of the kids will stay here tonight, and Chris and Matthew will stay with Justin and Lesli. Logistics are always challenging with this family, but it's nice that Michael has his own apartment this year; that opens up another option. When we have our vow renewal in April it will help not having to get hotel rooms for everyone, just the Illinois crew and our dear friends Eddie and Annette from Austin (and us, of course). Memphis is the most convenient place taking everyone into consideration, and it's also where all of this got started! Matthew was born here as well, and Chrissy and Jason have come here during Memphis in May a couple of times. Christopher came here to visit us when he was on leave from the Army in the Desert Storm days.

Sarah and Jarrod are splitting the day in Granbury between Jarrod's mom's house and his dad and Debbie's house. With two small kids it's going to be a very chaotic day. Jarrod's sister and her husband are staying with them through the holidays, and Logan just adores them.

Time to help Mendy set the dining room table. Her house looks like the ones you see in Southern Living Magazine. I'm going to have to find a really good job in Murfreesboro to get her to decorate my house (when we buy or build one).