Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and I wish you all a very happy New Year! Christmas at the York's was as hectic as ever. There were a lot of "firsts" for us this year. Sai & I sang in the singing Christmas Tree at church. Sai was in the middle, 2nd row from the top of the near 40 foot tree!! She was not afraid at all. I was only 4 rows from the bottom, and that was plenty high enough for me!

David gave me tickets to the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker and we went to our first ballet! Wow, it was awesome. My feet cramped just watching them :) We dressed up in our finest and had a wonderful time.

Another first for Sai was not only having a real tree, but going to cut it down! She was amazed at all the trees at the tree farm. As you can see, we also included Johnny, the son of Joseph & Sai's friends. He is ten years old and has never had a real American Christmas. He helped Brian cut the tree and helped us decorate it. We had to do a little re-arranging of the ornaments, but it was good to share this with a child. It's been a while since we've had that much excitement in the house!

Joseph also brought Johnny over for the Christmas morning festivities. He was thrilled with the little toys he got, and with the traditional York Christmas breakfast of sausage balls! We also added a breakfast casserole this year. Another first :) David's parents came to share the Christmas festivities with us. They are both doing well and excited about another great grandchild. They're old hats at it though, because they already have two! As the family continues to grow, it's hard to fit it all in, but they do their best.

We went to Alabama to spend a couple of days with my parents. Dad's still recovering from his back surgery, a little slower than he would like, but still progressing. He just doesn't know how to take it slow. Hopefully he'll be able to start physical therapy in a couple of weeks and that will help. Mom is doing well, cooking way too much food as always. Tuesday, she and I spent the entire day putting together a puzzle. I think dad thought we weren't concerned about food, because he suggested we order a pizza. We did, and then continued putting together the puzzle!! It was nice spending time just playing. We don't get that luxury very often.

As the week winds down and Michael gets ready to go back to Virginia, I realize how I am blessed to have such a wonderful family. Brian will be going back to school next week, Joseph will probably be starting the police academy soon, and life will be back to normal as we know it. As my daddy prayed at Christmas dinner, "Thank you, God, that we are all here together, and have not suffered any losses or major illnesses this year. " If we can say that, what else matters? So, as the close of 2006 looms near and the beginning of 2007 draws close, my prayer for you all is that God's blessing will be richly bestowed on you and that this time next year we can all thank God that we're all together and have not suffered any losses or major illnesses. And just think, next year will also be a year of firsts -a year with a new grandbaby!!! I can't wait.

God bless you all, and please write to let me know how you are doing!

Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING WITH THE YORKS

I can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a very busy weekend, but it was great having everyone home. We started the day with David's parents and the annual York family reunion, then went to Alabama to visit my parents. Dad had his back surgery, and after a rough start is doing well. Sai and Joseph invited their Chinese friends to the York Family Thanksgiving. It was their first time to experience an American Thanksgiving.

Sai is doing well. Joseph is a typical nervous dad to be. God is working things out for them and we are all very excited.

Brian will be home next week until the first of the year and Michael will come home for Christmas. The holidays have become so hectic, it just doesn't seem fun anymore. Did I say that? As we prepare for the holiday season, let's not get so busy that we forget the real reason we celebrate. The birth of our Savior and the great gift He gave us is the true meaning of Christmas. It should be a time of love, family and sharing. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the what of Christmas we forget the Who. Celebrate family, celebrate life, celebrate birth, celebrate Christ!

Please keep in touch and let me know how your holidays are going!