Is she still here?

Yes, still here. Way too busy.

Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went in a flash. It seems surreal. I wish I would have written about it so that I could remember it. So much family, so much here and there, so much time - but it seemed so fast.

It was nice to see my family home in NC. My Grandmother however, is just not the Grandmother I have always known. Still the Grandmother I love, just not the same Roma Dare. The term "lady in waiting" comes to mind when I think of her. Sometimes I feel as though she is content with the paths her children have taken and also with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She has taken great pride in watching them grow and come into their own. I guess I feel like she misses granddaddy more than ever and would, truth be told, just be in his arms again...and in the arms of God.

She tells me that she is alone, that no one stops by, her days are long...she's not complaining; just stating the facts. She's a little lacking of energy and conversation. I think she feels as though she lacks a purpose now. I can't begin to understand and frankly, I don't want to. All I know is that I love her, and that I have to tell her that I love her as much as possible. I have to tell her any stories about my children that I can think of to make her laugh. I have to love her as much as she has always loved me, no matter what. She deserves so much more than that - but from a distance, this is all I can give her.

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I think the kids had a good Christmas.

Our Holiday starting with my Husband's parents. I had actually not had the opportunity to partake in their annual Christmas Eve bash for more years than I remembered.

I, of course, started the day with infections in both eyes and a large corneal abrasion. Once that madness was over, the real madness began!

From the outside, their home looks like any normal home resting in the hills of any normal quiet WV suburban neighborhood. But, when all the family arrives, it transforms into it's own bustling city of noise, and controlled chaos is the heartbeat of the event. It's so neat for me to watch all the separate families mesh together like one large intimate family (which in essence is what they are). There is no unfamiliarity, just family and love in the form of many children, both big and small.

Bob made his annual speech. Once again, it was nice to be there for the real thing. I know it was special for Clark.

Presents and paper were everywhere as one would expect it to be with 12 adults and 11 grandchildren!

We ate, we laughed, we chased children. Great Christmas Eve!

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Christmas Day.

Payton came down stairs. She hung around in the living room at first and we were curious as to what in the world she was waiting for! Payton said, "Is he still in there? Is he gone yet?". That girl. She was afraid Santa was still in the front room.

They seemed excited about their presents. Emery kind of didn't realize what was going on and Jack of course could care less. They did have a great time playing with their gifts though.

Children call...will continue catching up soon.