A January Blog

The Christmas decorations have been boxed and put away and I am settling into January as graciously as I can.  Some years the post Christmas blues hit me pretty hard,  but this year wasn't too bad.  We had our first monthly family gathering for birthday celebrations.  Everyone, except Megan and her crew, was able to join us on January 13th to celebrate Raphael's 5th birthday.  He asked for sausage. We settled on brauts and hotdogs which PaPa braved the cold to grill.

While building the new, bigger house,  I said I wanted to have monthly birthday parties because life should be celebrated!!  I am hoping that before my family is completed--but will it every be?--that we will have a birthday in every month.  So the next baby needs to be born in February or October!

WGO has been working in his shop getting it set up and organized.  He has completed a shelving project for and with Dan.  I don't think I have included any pictures of the shop in previous blogs so I will today.  I am very anxious for WGO to craft a table for our entry way!  His woodworking hobby is one that I do not resent.  We have many beautiful pieces of furniture in our home that WGO has built.

The annual Association of General Contractors (AGC) conference was this week in Wichita.  It is an annual event but this year  it was special.  Dan was a presenter.  His talk entitled, "Listen Like a Negotiator" was very well received.  At the luncheon on Friday, our son-in-la, Lucas, was present to receive an "Award of Honor" for the building he worked on in Hays.  At the banquet, WGO gave a short speech to begin his term as President of this organization.  (Sorry, no pictures.)

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to Ozawkie for the day.  I needed a baby Grady "fix".  Grady wanted to show off his two new teeth, demonstrate how he can sit up and almost crawl, and entertain us in his baby saucer. Tyler and Laura came out to visit with us in the morning before they headed to Manhattan.  After lunch we went for a walk to enjoy the beautiful day.  While I was napping with Grady, Megan painted a canvas that reads, "It's NOT about ME!"  We headed home after dinner glad we had made the trip.

God is good!  I am blessed!

Happy Birthday Raph!

The "shop"

the "shop"

the "shop"

Complete with toilet and sink!

Look Mom.  No Car Seat.

The Beisel Family

Papa Showing Grady the BobCat

Christmas Blessings

I indeed had a blessed Christmas.  For the first time in many years all of my children, their spouses, and children were together to celebrate the Holy Day Mass Christmas Eve.  We were the guests of my sister, Sister Ann and the Sisters of St. Joseph at Mt. St. Mary Convent.  The Liturgy was beautiful and the party afterward was a lot of fun.
For those present Christmas morning, the day began with our traditional breakfast of texas eggs, fruit salad, orange rolls and Sarah Lee Coffee cake.  My brother Ray and his wife, Vicki, stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas and to see the new house.

At noon we all gathered, all 16 of us, for our family gift giving.  First came the "opening" of stockings.  The opening of gifts, one at time, from youngest to oldest followed.

It is always my prayer that somehow, in someway this expression of our love for each other in celebration of our Lord's birth give Him honor and glory.  One of my greatest joys, is watching my grown children and now their spouses joking and laughing and loving one another.  Each gift given was chosen with great thought and great care.  WGO's sister Tabitha joined us for dinner of chili and cinnamon rolls.   Unfortunately the day ended all too soon and each family left our home for theirs or for other celebrations.  WGO and I ran into Wichita to wish my siblings and mom and dad a Merry Christmas.  And when I returned home I was happy but very tired.

My sister Nancy and her husband R.P. came for a visit with mom and dad.  She helped me try out my Christmas present from WGO, an "Accuquilt" machine.  We cut out the blocks for a quilt and begin sewing them together.  Sister Ann came down for dinner on Saturday and we played a rousing game of Catch Phrase.  My dear sisters introduced me to a new game on the iPad:  Moxie.  Have you heard of it? After Nancy left town my sister Mary and her son Charlie came to visit our parents.  We will celebrate my mom's 85th birthday on January 3rd.

On New Year's Eve WGO and I enjoyed a steak dinner at the Lackey's.  Following the feast we played SkipBo and lost both games!  Not very hospitable of the young couple.  We almost stayed awake until midnight (on the east coast).  We hosted a brunch for family on New Year's Day.

And that brings you up to date.  Tomorrow I return to work and to a more normal routine.  May I greet it graciously!

God is good.  I am blessed.

I  am pretty sure Trinity is toasting with juice.

My handsome son

G. G.

Kayla and Hadley

Smile Raphie!

Grady is his cap.

The tree.

Ty and Laura

Monica's gift to Aunt Megan

AJ's gift to Kayla

WGO

Don't throw Grady away!

Charlie with the girls.

Our New Year's Eve feast.