Merry CHRISTmas, all!

This year, we are having a very different CHRISTmas. In years past, even in my own growing up, family being together was the absolute proof that it was indeed the holidays. Even as a young parent, we made the four and a half hour trip with child in tow, just to be where "the stockings were hung, by the chimney with care..." As my own children have past the teens (where they have to be with us!), all of us have been able to have our together time on Christmas Day. What a blessing and privilege that providentially we have been geographically close!

Well, things are beginning to change and, as parents, we expected this to occur MUCH sooner, but are more thankful than I can describe to have had the years all together.

As explained in earlier postings, our firstborn son packed up "life and limb" and moved to the frosty northern regions of Alaska. He is spending his first CHRISTmas in Los Angeles with his new family, who are THE most celebratin' folks I've ever known! He (they) have been enjoying gatherings for a week now, and show no signs of stopping! Go, family, go!

Our newest family member, grandaughter Aubrey, is spending a whirlwind time with her other grandparents and Texas relatives, with a stop off at her very own home to spend her first CHRISTmas at home with just Mom and Dad, then back with the relatives at Appy's house again.

Third offspring, Kiera, and her boyfriend, Scott, are expected here, at our place, for festivities sometime this afternoon. Presents, food, and games...all the regular celebrations at the Minguez household! Only minus a couple of regulars, WHOM we have spent the morning texting our greetings and happenings and plan a SKYPE visit with later today!!! Thank God for technology...and the ability to keep up with it, sort of...hopefully!

So, change has been relatively painless with all the phones and computers in working order. I must here and now, tell my children, if they read this, that Mom and Dad are doing great with the changes and we know that you are just the best!!! Thanks for keeping in touch as you are - from the shores of Californistan to the flatlands of Tarboro, even to right here in town. You are our gifts from God to ourselves and every year, we want to take the time to tell you so.

Oh, and by the way, lest I forget another significant something, the fabulous musician and the pretty good artist celebrated thirty-four years of a life sentence together - one that we each joyfully serve. May God be blessed for all of His great love and mercy poured out on us, not only for our time together, but for the Gift of His Son to this earth, an unfathomable gift, to save us from ourselves and give us life eternal. Merry CHRISTmas, one and all.