And Christmas is over...

The twins in the unwrapping frenzy.


Look what I got!


Robbie being sneaky and getting some icing.


Gingerbread house my mom, Lea (my aunt), and cousins Robbie, Grant and Glyn constructed on Christmas Eve.



First it was Memphis on the 13th. Then Christmas Eve lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, and the rest of that crew, Christmas Eve Service @ Rolling Fork UMC and then a few appetizers at the parents house followed by one present each. Christmas day was more presents with the parents and then a short drive to Valley Park for lunch and finally back to Kosciusko to do dinner with the in-laws.

This whole Christmas season, I have felt like I was running behind and that everything was rushed. It probably was because starting on Dec. 18, I was diagnosed with the bacteria for walking pneumonia and that medicine made me feel worse for 10 days.

I was able to get some Christmas cooking in and all the presents wrapped before we left KO and we were off to as Paul says, "The Delta."

We had many many good Christmases!

"Stone Bowl"

Hayes and Halea with the "Stoney Rocks" sign with mom Jenny hidden behind.


Stoney in action



Complete with my antibiotics, which are also used to treat Anthrax, for my mycoplasm bacterial infection, Paul and I headed to Gulfport Friday afternoon to do some shopping, eat with the Wood family (minus Sadie Kate and Coach Wood), and get a good night's rest before the "Stone Bowl.
Ethel High School Senior and football manager Stoney Armstrong was selected as the South's manager for the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic. His mom and brother, Sawyer came too.
He was very excited and all the coaches said he did a great job. I have heard he was spotted on TV.
Very, very proud of one of "our boys!"

Happy Anniversary Husband of mine!

I got to marry my bestest friend on Dec. 18, 2004. Love you, honey.

Neatest little gift so far

My Aunt Ang got Lisa and I a Mini Emergency Survival Kit and it has the 16 must haves -- Lip balm, dental floss, breath freshener, emery board, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, clear elastics, earring backs, hair spray, stain remover, doubled sided hem tape, mending kit, pain reliever, deodorant towelette, tampon and adhesive bandage.

I loved all my presents but this one was the neatest.

Christmas No.1 with Mimi and family

Christine unwrapping presents with my mom in the background. Christine will be 13 on our birthday -- hard to believe!


Daddy, Lisa and Mimi



We traveled to Memphis Sunday for our first of many family Christmases. It's always a little hard since my Mimi developed Alzheimer's but I am glad that she was in a singing and festive mood. She never said my name but I believe she still knows who I am and I am thankful for that!

Why I am so THANKFUL...

Every Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, my mom, dad and sister have traveled to Valley Park (between my hometown of Rolling Fork and Vicksburg), to have our Thanksgiving lunch with "The Newmans." These days there are a few more of us since Lisa and I have acquired husbands.

If we don't come, my Aunt Florence and Uncle Horace's would probably disown us. One year we didn't get there until mid-afternoon and the first thing Uncle Horace said when we walked into the door was -- "Y'all going to eat."

They reside in my great-grandmother's house and at one time my dad called it home. I, myself, spent some time in Valley Park as a youngster. We moved to Rolling Fork when I was 4.

I always enjoy going there because there is no family sub-text. No hidden agendas. Just a day when come together as a family and spend the day laughing and talking and catching up.

My Newman traits are strong -- opinionated, dry witt and of course, the black curly hair. We all have the first two traits. It makes for entertaining afternoon.

There were about 20 of us for this particular holiday. Four years ago, we had a big reunion of sorts and we easily had 100 there if not more.

I wish I could have more holidays like the ones I spend with the Newmans. But I am thankful for the one that I have.