What an amazing 2018 we have had! When the year began I had a sense of dread in my heart….we were facing the potential diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and I just could not wrap my mind around this upcoming year being a good one! IN spite of the awful diagnosis, we have had a wonderful year. It is not without some hard times and fearful days, but overall, blessed and beyond what we deserve! This is one of the lessons of life I continue to fail to learn!
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
The BIG 66!
As I look back over this year, so many good things have happened and we have met many new friends along the way. I just referred back to my earlier blogs and we have been incredibly blessed! Since I last posted in early November, we have celebrated Jim’s 66th Birthday! It was very low key with a lovely dinner with Sam and Max. Happy Birthday Jimmy….I have got to get better at this photo thing!
Baseball News!
November 20th was the Rule 5 Draft Deadline. We waited patiently for the call from the Rockies. If they did not call….it would mean Sam was not added to the 40 man MLB Roster and would be eligible for the Draft on December 13.
Held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Players who signed with their current club at age 18 or younger and have played professionally for at least five years are eligible to be selected, as are those who signed at 19 or older and have at least four years of professional experience.
Sam got the call around noon and we were all together for the news! He had been protected and is now on the Rockies 40 man roster. One step away from the big leagues! Article link below.
MLB Rockies Add Three to 40 Man Roster
So Grateful!
Thanksgiving was quickly around the corner and we enjoyed having 18 family members and friends over for Traditional Turducken and all the fixins! We had the Hilliard’s from Houston, Claudette, Mike and Andrea, the Hext’s from Dallas, Greg, Kim, Lila, Preston and his girlfriend Claudia. The Nickles from Allen, Lon, Tiffany, Joseph and Grace. Blake, Tracy, Baby Charlie, Sam, Max and his friend Tiffany. Friends, Gary and Linda Lawrence and Tom and Ruth Bulick stopped by for drinks after dinner. We are truly blessed with friends and family.
At long last…Graduation!
December rushed right on in and we put up our Christmas decor and front door wreath. We skimped on the outdoor lights this year, but that did not keep the Christmas spirit away from our home! Before celebrating the birth of our Savior we had to roll out the red carpet for Max! After a long road of college, no college, work, then work and college and then full time student for the past 1.5 years, Maxwell got his BA in Journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington ( My Alma Mater!). It has been along time coming and he as worked very hard. We are so proud that he went back to school after a time and got his degree. In addition, he has been a writer and editor for the College paper, The Shorthorn for the past year, getting valuable experience and building his resume. Now praying for a job that will suit him! Congrats Max!!
Tradition!
I love that we have at least one Christmas Tradition that has never been broken! Since the year Jim and I got engaged ( 1987) until the present, we have had Black Bean chili with Cornbread and Margaritas on Christmas Eve. We always try to attend Candlelight Christmas Eve service and then come home for Jim’s famous Chili and Margaritas, followed by opening presents. This year was blessed by our first Christmas with our grand Charlie! It was so fun playing with him and watching him enjoy the packages and opening his presents. We loved having all our kids around the table and also, Jim’s sister, brother and niece. Christmas Day was spent with my brother and sister and an elegant dinner, prepared by Kim and Greg Hext. We all had a very Merry Christmas.
New Years Eve
On December 31, New Years Eve, I woke up to my usual coffee, prayer time and commiserate computer perusing and I saw my Facebook Memory, you know the one they show you from your past Facebook posts over the years? It hit me hard as the meaning from my written words felt so much more powerful today, given the circumstances we are facing.
Here is what I wrote on Facebook Dec. 31, 2013.
“Each day is a gift, which makes each hour, each moment and each breath we take precious. Have faith, smile often, give generously and love deeply. Follow your passion and bring glory to God who gives us the gift of life. Make each day special and make a difference in 2014! Happy and Healthy New Year to my family and friends near and far. “
As I read this, it occurs to me just how MUCH more I feel these things today, knowing the deep and true meaning of the words that came to me back then. I plan to take my 2013 advice and do just that! I hope you do too. May each day of 2019 bring moments, hours and days of special memories and may God smile upon us as we try to honor Him in through the tears and laughter to come. Happy New Year. 💜
