Christmas Decorating with Daddy and Mumma

     I went to the barn today to help Mumma and Daddy decorate.  Daddy handed me some gloves to help carry the Christmas tree in.  It's about 12 feet tall and very heavy.  He likes to do things at his own pace.  So I have learned to take direction and not rush him.  Thankfully, Joe had put it on the porch so we didn't have to drag it too far.  Daddy was huffing and puffing a bit but up it went.  So fun to hear his commentary.  For those who don't know him, he is sarcastic and goofy all at the same time.   Telling Mom he hoped she only spent $500 dollars on his Christmas present and why doesn't she help him up and down the ladder?  Of course then he started saying," don't make fun of me, you'll hurt my feelings."  "You know how sensitive I am."  He cracks me up because he is the toughest man I know.  You would be hard pressed to find a way to hurt his feelings unless you offend one of his children or grandchildren.  That is one way to hit his sensitive side!  I just so enjoyed him and his banter today. 
      So we got the tree up and then I went to the basement to bring up decorations for the living room.  Mama wanted to do a little bit at a time.  I know I probably didn't place things exactly as she would have but I tried to do my best.  It is frustrating for her not to do it all by herself anymore.  A few years ago she bragged how she had over a thousand lights lit up all over the barn.  No small feat for this little lady!  We had fun though, checking for working lights and admiring old decorations.  One candle still had a Woolworth sticker on it!  She has had it for 50 years! 
     I have to brag, that Mama fried me up so haddock for lunch with mushroom rice!  It was cooked perfectly!  I was hungry after vacuuming up all those pine needles!
     Then we watched The Young and The Restless and wrapped presents.  Daddy had gone out to get milk.  When he came in he told us "I'm losing it" cuz he forgot to go to the bank.  I think he is far from losing it!  He is sharp as a tack!  He strolled to the kitchen and came back with a big smile on his face.  "I got the squirrel in the rat trap!" he said.  "Merry Christmas to me!"  haha.  He told me he baited it with peanuts and didn't set it until the squirrel got used to it.  Then he got him!  What a character!  I love my Daddy!  I always wish I can capture his personality with words.  It is so difficult.  He is an amazing man!  Smart, tough, funny.  Did I mention that I love him?!

How ridiculous that Daddy ended up with this mug at the Christmas Party this year!

 

Thankful for Christmas Party

     Every year we have a family Christmas party at my brother Joe's house.  Jen, his wife is the real party planner.  She really knows how to plan big functions!  Tons of food, activities for the little ones and our annual "Yankee Swap".  You have to be there to appreciate it.  It used to be a fairly manageable crowd.  Some of us siblings got together and we all brought either a joke gift or some prized item that everyone would like to go home with. Like a potato gun, strobe light or Justin Bieber life size cut out.   But over the last ten years as our little ones grew up, the party became bigger and bigger.  This party probably had about 60 + people.  So the Yankee swap has become the "Big Event".  Everyone trying to outdo eachother by coming up with the best or funniest gifts. 
     Since the party usually coincides with my Moms birthday, we have cake and sing Happy Birthday to her.   This year she gave a short speech.  She said, I just want you all to know how happy I am that so many of you are here.  It means so much to me to have all of you together.   I want you to know that "my guy upstairs"  ~God~ is taking care of each and everyone of you!   The words may not be exact but they are close.  Knowing my Mom as well as I do, I know this.  That she spends much time in prayer for her family.  She doesn't sleep well at night so she spends a lot of time talking to the "man upstairs."  We are as blessed as we are because of this praying woman!  There is no doubt in my mind about that! 

Psalm89:1 says this:  "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;  With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to ALL generations.  For I have said Mercy shall be built up forever.  Your faithfulness, You shall establish in the very heavens."  I believe this is what she was trying to tell her family.  All that He has given her in this wonderful family is a direct gift from Him!

  

                                             I think she is quite overwhelmed here.

 Pretty yummy cake!

 

I think Colby was the most enthusiastic singer!~

 

I heard Jimmy tell Colby that he could share his cake with him.  Colby replied "I'm not sharing"
 

These pictures might not be the clearest but they capture all of the craziness and fun!

 

 

 What is Ebonie thinking in this picture?
 

 Alex, Audrey, Emily, Jasmina, Olivia

"The Food Court"

 

 My Big Brothers ~Joe and Jimmy and Lisa

 Andy and Shanni

 Laura and Craig

 My favorite Rednecks

 Daddy enjoying some birthday cake!

 

Devon and Alex

 

Sammi and Olivia

Shanni, Julie and Andy

Mark opening a package containing 5 jars of homemade hot fudge sauce made by moi!

 

Freddy looking oh so impish!

 

Kristy holding the not so coveted peacock candle holder!

 

Daddy is such a good sport about his "prize."

Laura sporting her "I have been "T-bowtized" t-shirt!

Matt displaying his fancy "high heel wine holder", another not so wanted gift!

Jimmy fought to the finish for a box of razors with many refills!

 

Beautiful cousins and friends!

Wow, second cousins Ebonie and Olivia!

 
Plenty of fun and conversation!

 

Mikey and Laura

 

Julie is hastening to pick out her Yankee Swap gift!

 

Finishing out the party by decorating Christmas cookies!

And here is a final blessing on the FitzSimmons extended clan.
 1 Peter 1:9
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of GOD who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

 

Thankful for Prayer Day 27

     I continue to be thankful for how God speaks to me in his word.  Even when I only have time for a little bit of Bible reading, I usally am blessed by some verse that I never noticed before.  I know that I can commune with my Lord all day long.  As I go about my day I can offer up prayers of praise and thanks when I see something beautiful.  The other day as I was driving home from work the sky was so clear!  It was getting close to sun down and the full moon was already out.  The sky had various shades of blue, pink and purple and the moon hung there above the mountains.  I marveled at what I get to look at in this amazing state of Vermont.
     I can also be a light for Him as I take care of my patients, converse with them and try to make them comfortable.  I can also offer up intercessory prayers for my friends and family.  As I go through my day and think of different people, I can just say, Lord be with my friend, touch them, strengthen them or heal them.  Prayer doesn't have to be anything formal.  It just has to be from the heart.  He hears me wherever I am at and whatever I am doing.  So thankful for my close relationship to God!

Thankful for my healthy body Day 26

     I was really trying to do a blog a day for 365 days of thankfulness and now I am behind.  The stuff of life gets in the way I guess.  But I am determined to catch up!  Today I am thankful for my healthy strong body.  I have always enjoyed exercising, running, biking and walking.  I love the high I get when I work out and the overall sense of well being.  Having suffered from anxiety and depression for many years I find that exercise really helps so much to relieve that feeling.  Running was my passion but now I find it much more difficult on my joints.  I try to rotate with running , walking swimming in the summer and the ever famous insanity tapes with Shaun T. which have actually strengthened me more than anything else.  It helped me while I was training for the Spartan Race that I did with my family in August!  That has been my biggest challenge and I hope to do it again next year!

Thank you Lord for my healthy body which

 allows me to run and walk and take care of so many things. 

 I am grateful for this and hope to bring you joy!