Christmas 2013 is over, the decorations are coming down, and a time for reflection and thankfulness is a good way to end this year. 2013 went by so fast.
MEMORIES OF 2013
January brought the birth of our 3rd granddaughter, the 2nd child of our daughter and son-in-law who live in Rwanda, Africa along with 4 yr. old Will.
February brought the beginning of volunteering at the Food Pantry and time with family and friends.
March brought our trip to Africa to meet our new granddaughter.
April was highlighted by time spent with friends for 5 days at a scrapbook retreat.
May brought several family birthdays and a trip to San Antonio to keep 2 yr. old diabetic grandson.
June saw the beginning of my new card-making venture, Designs by Deanna and the introduction of my cards at a local store. We also enjoyed camping with friends.
July brought celebrating 4th of July with friends and another trip to San Antonio to keep Cade while the rest of the family went to church camp.
August was filled with Bunco, YaYa's, hosting a baby shower, special time spent with our 2nd oldest granddaughter and saying good-bye to a friend moving away.
September started with a cherished 4 day visit from our son and his 4 children, more birthday celebrations, and a camping trip that ended early because of the government shutdown.
October saw the start of a mentoring Bible Study and my husband agreeing to teach a Life Group at our church.
November saw another farewell to a good friend, lots of rehearsals for our church's upcoming Christmas presentation and yet another trip to San Antonio to keep Cade while family went on a mission trip. Thanksgiving found us driving home and having a wonderful turkey and dressing meal at the famous Mary's in Marble Falls.
December brought Icepocalypse 2013 (5 days iced in with all events cancelled) , our church's Christmas program, and the days leading up to Christmas spent with final preparations for Christmas. We shared Christmas - the season during which we celebrate the birth of Jesus - with family and friends. We received many material things, but the greatest gift anyone could give us is time spent together. For the most part, the time was filled with joy and peace as we shared meals, gifts, games, puzzles, a special Christmas Eve service, scavenger hunts (a Christmas tradition), s'mores, time on Skype with family far away, a silly string fight (another Christmas tradition), more food, more games, laughter, and then, when it's all over...gratitude for time with family and friends.
We will welcome the New Year tonight with friends, food, games, laughter, and maybe even a few tears as we reflect on the changes that come naturally with the passage of time.
I've made these snowman cards to thank friends and family for the special gifts that we received. I had a box of white embossed cards that worked perfectly for these cards. The Stamp is from A Day for Daisies and I used my Copic markers and stickles to add color and bling. A little strand of ribbon finished them off just perfectly. These will at least get me started with my 'thank yous'!
Happy New Year!!
