Christmas 2012

Christmas was a little ... subdued... this year, I think for us (and maybe many of you, too).  With the tragedy in Connecticut fresh on our minds and hearts, it's hard to just freely enjoy the festivities without the deep sadness for those who are reeling from the pain.  (We've also had an overwhelming number of friends and relatives who are struggling through very difficult circumstances, so my heart is heavy for them in the midst of this joy.)

However, we did have some magical moments today.

The Santa Letter 

Dear Sanit Claws

Please bring my sister a loving husbem named Harry Styles.  And please don't eat all the cookies because I want some to.  Please reatren the letter to me on Christmas morning.  Love, your secret Satnie!

Santa wrote back that her sister was a little young to be thinking about marriage.  And he left some cookies. 

 Three tired teenagers and one wound-up kid.

 Goofing off.

 Luke practicing (again) how not to be in pictures.

 Very thankful to celebrate with this guy today.

 All four kids in one shot.

 Terrible picture, but truly captured the reaction.

It's a One Direction cover for her iPod.

True reaction to a mani/pedi gift certificate. 

Nearly knocking Grandma over. 

Love these two.

Happy birthday, Jesus!  You are the best gift of all.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Blessing to you,

Mamita

Eagle Project

Back in June, when the temps were over 100, Luke did his Eagle Project.  He put in a patio and landscaping in a neglected corner of our church.   Every Saturday, four weeks in a row, we worked all the live-long day. Luke was a great leader and a good sport.  This project was like initiation into manhood.  He passed with flying colors.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

A job well done!

He finished all the work towards his Eagle Rank and got his final approval on November 28th.  

Luke is now an EAGLE SCOUT!!

Congratulations, Luke!  I'm proud of you.  

Blessings to you,

Mamita

Woot! Woot!

Hallelujah!  Blogger is miraculously working again!  I could not get used to W*rdpress.

Hopefully, I will get back into the swing of things.

My father-in-law had a rough go of it, but he is home now.  He lost a lot of his mental faculties, but has maintained the sweetness of his personality.  We/they still have a long, rough road ahead.

Anyway, we are all still hanging in there.  It's been a long, stressful season, but God is faithful to carry us through the hardship.  Cupcake handled it all pretty well, considering all the loss she's experienced.  We've all had some nuclear meltdowns, and hers have been fairly typical - which is encouraging in it's own weird way.  :-)

I should have been blogging all summer, so I will probably try to do some picture dumps with minimal explanation in the next few weeks, plus a few deeper posts.

It's good to see you all again.  :-)

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Moving

I am moving my blog to Wordpress, due to technical difficulties. The new blog can be found at www.lifewithmamita.wordpress.com Blessings to you, Mamita