Wrapping presents today brought on a flood of tears for me. I was almost done wrapping when it occurred to me that I did not write Artie’s name on one tag. A major part of me wishes we could just go on about our day a not do the holiday at all. Just to curl up, watch movies and pretend it is just another day. But, it would still be another day without him wouldn’t it?Then to hear of the devastation in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee it saddens me. I feel for the families and the communities that will be facing a tough time ahead. I can only send a silent prayer to them and hope they find some Peace. 

I love this photo because it says everything to me about how life should be in general not just the holidays. It is the simplest things that can bring a smile to your face. 
  

Today was great! We went to Pearland shopping, made a huge pot of homemade spaghetti sauce for canning, and Kurt and Wolfgang made gnocchi! Some days are better than others still, and this was most assuredly one of the good ones. More baking tomorrow and hopefully a few rounds of Skipbo. The Holidays will never be the same but we are making new memories and growing closer as a family.. I can’t help but see Arthur’s face with that amazing smile of his. I know he is glad that the pain is ebbing some for us. We still miss him and always will but, we are strong as a family and this is what we have always done.. Survive!! 

Five days until Christmas. I am feeling pretty good. I had a “Moment” yesterday and fell apart for a few minutes. The grand babies made gingerbread houses and when I saw the pictures I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. Arthur and Wolfgang, Uncle Bubbee and Uncle Boo to the grandkids, made gingerbread houses every year. Arthur took the most time on his. When they were tiny it was so cute to hear them discuss what it would be like to live in one of the creations. When Cadence, our first grand baby, came along, creating these works of art became challenging to say the least for the boys. She would pick them apart almost before the boys could get them done! When all of the kids lived close to home, the house was full during the Holidays. Lots of cooking, music and laughter. I miss it. It makes not having Artie here that much harder. But, the memories of 14 years of pure joy will forever be in my heart and on my mind. What a gift our memories are. How sad and empty life would be without them. 
This is our daughters post from Facebook. 

Cadence wanted to make gingerbread houses this year and I’m not going to lie, this was hard for me. It took me a few weeks of thought before I decided to let Cadence carry on the tradition. My little Bubee and Boo used to make gingerbread houses every Christmas. I remember how one year the boys had made some and Cadence, being only about 2 years old, thought it was a great idea to start eating the candies off of the houses. Boo cried because Cadence was tearing up his house and Bubee laughed his butt off which made Cadence pick off even more candies. Even though the memories can be hard to think about sometimes, I’m so thankful that I have them. 💚

This is the little house our twin grand daughters did.. 😆