We are Blessed... and that's Spectacular!: December 2012

It is already past the middle of December. Where did this month go? Where did this year go? This December has been exceptionally fun, but hectic at the Oblingers. We began the month with the company Christmas party. We all gathered at Eberly Farm for a great meal and one of those fun gift exchanges. I came home with some yummy hot chocolate which AJ was really excited about.

The next weekend WGO and I double dated with Kayla and Lucas for a fun evening at the Crown Uptown dinner theatre. We were celebrating Kayla's birthday. I don't think either of our husbands were too excited about seeing a stage production of the musical "White Christmas", but Kayla and I were! Even though they changed the plot a little and some of the music was different it was still a great show. (It was sort of like going to a movie based on a book--they always change it a little and you wonder why?) Anyway, the food was great, the play was fun, and our husbands proved their love for us by doing something just to please us.

Saturday night we watched Dan's children overnight. We had a great time making ornaments, making some candy and watching a movie. I'd forgotten what a beautiful sound a child's laughter is. Trinity and Monica thought Lucy calling Linus "my sweet Baboo" just hilarious. After Grammy and Grumpa figured out that you can't put all three children to bed in the same room, we all went to sleep.

On Sunday night we entertained the girls from WGO's office. We served grilled salmon and chicken with twice baked potatoes and a tossed salad.

Megan and Grady came down on the follwing Friday night for our annual baking day. (WGO and Lucas went to Topeka to help Chad install a tile backsplash.) Kayla and Hadley and Laura were also involved in this real test of the new kitchen. Between rocking, changing and feeding two babies we did manage to get some goodies made. We had hoped to do some crafting also--but that didn't happen--until later in the evening. Megan and I did manage to complete a blanket for Grady. It was one of those pinterest ideas that was supposed to be "easy". For Megan's first sewing project, I think it turned out mighty fine.

This was also the day of MHS Christmas Dance. After the baking was done we had to hurry and clean up and decorate the tree. AJ's date arrived at 4:00 to take a few pictures. She was very pretty but very nervous. AJ looked great all dressed up. Unfortunately the pictures are on Megan's camera so I will have to post them later.

My December activities at Church included "poinsettia day" and the annual Christmas program. The middle school and high school students take poinsettia's to the residents at the local skilled care and assistant living facility. The K-6 students put on the "Best Christmas Pageant" each year complete with second graders in costume and a candle procession. I think several of the third graders were disappointed when they found out the candles were not real but battery operated! At the afternoon practice I noticed one of the mothers walk all the way across the church to have a discussion with her son who was portraying one of the Magi. She had asked him why he was walking so goofy-like. He responded, "Mom, we are walking in a dessert! There is SAND, you know." What a hoot.

We did manage to get a tree, well, actually, two trees. I wanted a tree upstairs and a tree downstairs. Because of the height of our ceilings we needed 9 foot trees or so we thought. To make a long story short after looking at several stores/lots we ended up with one tall fake tree and one tall cut tree. I've never been a big fan of fake tree (or fake flowers, or fake candles) but if I wanted two I really couldn't justify the expense of two "real" trees each year--thus the compromise. And WGO won't have to buy the fake tree on the way home from burying me.

My shopping is almost done. My decorating is in progress. And I am about to finish up at work. I am so looking forward to celebrating this beautiful Holy Day with all my children and grandchildren.