It is December 26th and it is mid morning because I really slept in this morning. I am now enjoying my chair as I use my Santa coffee cup one more time. I really need to get into that kitchen and living room to clean up that mess. I am instantly reminded of Andy Rooney's quote that I saw on a friend's FB yesterday.
I guess I will leave the mess a while longer while I reflect on 2013.
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." ~ Andy Rooney, American writer, producer, humorist. ”
I guess I will leave the mess a while longer while I reflect on 2013.
Christmas cards are being sent less and less it seems over the years, and I have been guilty of that the past two. I know that social media has a lot to do with that as we can keep up with each other's lives easier now, but I do miss writing that Christmas letter each year and more importantly reading and enjoying our annual cards received from friends and family. What I certainly love the most are the photos that we receive and viewthrough the cards, and on Facebook and Instagram.
The end of 2013 seemed to arrive faster than usual. The year was certainly full of change and adventure for me with living as an empty nester, anticipating the release of the movie, My Son, and the event of the year, Kristin and Matt's wedding!
Elizabeth's year was full with a job promotion with Senior Health Care Centers, the new love of her life, Rob, and the joy of their shared pup, Khai! She lives in the Plano/The Colony area and works in Denton as the Director of Marketing. She and Rob met on their kick ball team and the love sparks began after she invited him to attend a wedding. Rob is a civil engineer in Dallas and is originally from Florida. We love him and he fits right in!
Matt is now a married man as of October 25th when he married the beautiful Kristin Ford. What a blessing she is to our family and I know that she is the one that God had me praying for so many years ago. Matt is still peddling windows (his Dad's phrase) for our window replacement company and has done very well this year. I am so very thankful for Matt and his loving support. He is always there when I need him. Also, Cash, Pat's beloved australian shepherd, loves living at their house and he has a new sister australian shepherd, Maddox.
Garrett is a freshman at Blinn College in College Station. This year has been an eye opener for a new student that never studied much in high school and if he had his way, he would go back to high school. I am so proud of the man he is becoming and you can certainly see Pat's hand prints all over him! Garrett loves that!
The new addition to the family last Christmas was Hank, Garrett's boxer. Much to Garrett's dismay, he is really mine. This beautiful, white and deaf sweetheart has brought me so much joy and the kids make fun of me because he is very spoiled and I take his picture the most!
As for me, I certainly was busy doing various things. I began developing websites and plan to continue this in the future. The movie, My Son, took a lot of my time this year marketing and promoting for the release on September 20th. I was cast as the mother, Sherri Clark, of the main character in this Christian feature film. The premier was truly a magical night that I will never forget and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Another highlight of the year for me was that I had the honor of doing the florals for the wedding which inspired me to continue my floral design business, Petals by Paige.
2013 has been been a year of healing while building new family traditions and most of all bringing the five of us closer and closer to each other. We miss Pat very much, but we always find a story to tell, a memory to remember or just making plain fun of the dad who was such a vital part of this family. I was able to surprise the kids this Christmas with quilts made from their dad's favorite t-shirts and the smiles and tears on their faces when they opened me blessed me beyond measure.
We now will focus on 2014 and wait with expectancy and faith as we trust our mighty God to go before us as He leads us. What I have learned the most in 2013 is that He is truly faithful and sovereign. I am so blessed as I am held firmly in His grip!
xoxo
