Dr. Charles

Charles officially graduated in August, but yesterday we went to the commencement and hooding ceremony. It was great! I took Reed Baby with me, we picked up Charles's mom, and met Charles's father and stepmom there, and also saw Charles's grandmother. The ceremony was about 2 hours, and Reed slept through pretty much the whole thing! He did startle awake a couple times, but he accepted the pacifier and went right back to sleep. It was great to see Charles get hooded by Dr. Williams. Afterwards we went down to the floor and took some pictures and spoke briefly with Dr. Williams, who really bragged on what an outstanding student Charles was. I talked with a couple other folks and showed off the baby. Then I drove Char's mom back to her place and went to meet up with our families for dinner at Bravo! It's a great Italian restaurant in Bearden. Unfortunately Char's mom was unable to make it to dinner, but we were joined by 2 of my siblings, Rebecca and Joseph, and my dad. It was great. People gifted Charles with stuff and cards, Reed fussed a bit (think he is teething) but then fell back asleep. The food and conversation were great. It was just nice to have everybody come together to celebrate Charles's fantastic accomplishment.
Eventually I will try to post some pictures, including a picture of  Charles's graduation quilt!

Everybody have a great day!

Christmas Time

My boss just shared with me a devotional from his church's webpage (http://www.cspc.net/devotionals/dec11?fullsite=2) that REALLY struck a chord with me. I am sharing it here.

First Corinthians 13- Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, and
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;
but giving the gift of love will endure.

Attributed to Sharon Jaynes, taken from "Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas"

www.sharonjaynes.com

 

 

Wow, it was really what I needed to see today. I wonder how he knew that I needed that? I have been dealing with the usual holiday blahs. We have a Christmas party at work today, and another one on Friday, but I am feeling kind of down about myself. Feeling like a terrible mom and terrible person. The holidays are so much fun-- I love decorating the tree and eating tasty food and all that, but at the same time I feel so empty and lonely. I think constantly of those that have less than I do. There are homeless people, abused people, the poor, the depressed, the sick, the alone.... I can't get them out of my mind. I am just going to try to focus on the reason for Christmas. No amount of worrying will help those people, so I will just do what I can and trust that they will be taken care of.

Reed's Baptism

Over the Thanksgiving break, our little boy got Baptized! It was a wonderful experience. My sister, Sarah, and her husband, Rick, are Reed's godparents, and so they came up from Alabama with their 4 kids and we had a great time hanging out together. On Saturday morning we got together at Sacred Heart, and were joined by many of Charles's family as my brother, Uncle Brother Father Frowin/Joseph Baptized our little guy. Then we had a reception afterwards, which Charles's wonderful stepmom and stepsis put together. Jean and Ginger did an incredible job. They even got a delicious cake from Rita's. YUM. Here's a couple pictures from the occasion.

That's my silly brother making faces at Reed while Charles and I look on.

 

And that's Reed Baby smiling in the suit that Sarah and Rick got him.

It was a wonderful experience. I was so glad that our families came together to celebrate! :)