Time Flying

We see each other once every couple of months.   It is not often enough, and the time flies quickly.  That is what makes the Holiday Season so special.  It is a time when, if we're lucky (and our family is), we get to see our relatives twice in a month's span--for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's a time to slow down a bit, sit down and talk with those we love.  And open a few presents;)

Shae and her godmother, Aunt Julie--who used Shae's initials to describe her gifts.  Thank you for the sparkly pink boots and awesome word books--perfect for imaginative writing!

Every year I take a picture of these two pretty little girls who aren't so little anymore.  I remember the one year both of their heads were wet from the swimming pool, and their eyes were red from the chlorine.  They were clutching their new dolls...
The older these girls get, the taller and more "technological" they become as well.  Note the matching I-pods and headphones.  They're sitting right next to each other, "chatting" electronically! ha!

Ally and Claire, very much 13

The cousin's gift exchange is a time that my kids really look forward to.  They enjoy picking out a toy or clothing especially geared toward that particular cousin.  When we visited the Princess Potosa Gallery a few weeks ago, Wynne knew right away what she was going to get her little cousin Annamae.  And then she used her own money to buy herself a big flower clip of her very own! 

Annamae, 6 months old and Wynne, 5 1/2

Time passes, grandkids grow up, and things change.  And yet, some things never change.

Mom and Dad with Kaleb, Lacey & Crystal--looking great 3 months post-op (tumor on vertebrae removed)!

Sisters.  My goddaughter Megan and her big sister Mandy, the baby who made me an aunt at age 9!

Of course I am partial to this gathering of family.  With 33 grandkids, 10 great-grandkids, and so many aunts, uncles etc....it is a huge group of people.  Not everyone could make it back for Christmas, but that is not unusual given the number of people involved.  In fact, I don't remember the last time we were all in the same place at the same time.  For my parents' anniversary last year, there were a few grandkids who couldn't be there. (We had to photo-shop one grandson into the family picture!) Christmases and Thanksgivings are hit-and-miss, as many grandkids are married with obligations to other family get-togethers.  I seriously can't remember when we were ALL together last.  It is my sincere hope that all 63 of us can congregate somewhere in the coming year.  At the same time!

So when you gather at a hotel with 40+ people for less than 24 hours, it is highly unlikely that you get time to visit with everbody.  My kids asked, "Why did that go so fast?"  I wish I could explain why, but I don't know the answer.  I only know that we need to make the most of the time we have IN THAT VERY MOMENT.

Cousins watching themselves dance their way into the New Year!

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.--James 4:14 NLT