The British Are Coming...

Elaine called me last week and let me know she was flying mom down for a few days to attend the wonderful Christmas concert of the singing choir Elaine is a member of.  She wanted to know when we could all get together.  My mother has never seen either Madison or Emerson, so I was really excited.  But Madi ended up being sick last night and so only got to meet our little Emerson.
My mom looks great.  We exchanged big hugs and loves, of which I was able to enjoy all day today as I could smell her Youth Dew Perfume on my lab coat when ever I moved.  It made me smile.  Tomorrow night will be the concert, and then mom will fly out the next day.  A short visit, but enough to have a four generation picture taken with Jordan and his little Em.
So glad to have you here mom.

The Night Became a Miracle

I expressed to Kylie the experience her parents had with setting up their Christmas tree and begged for us to come and help her little family set up their Christmas tree, as we had always done in the past,  She was quick to extend the invitation.
I babysat the kids Friday morning while Kylie went to the doctor.  Both kids were still in their pajamas when I arrived at 9:00 in the morning but it was only because they had been up since early that morning.  While I was in the front room playing with Madi, Preston was still back in the playroom, supposedly watching a movie, until I realized I could hear him snoring.  After about a half hour, I decided to go take him to his bedroom as he was obviously tired and needed to take a nap. When Kylie came home, she was very surprised that Preston had gone back to sleep and fallen alseep on his own.  I went home.
Later that afternoon, Kylie told Del that Preston had slept most of the day - only getting up to eat a little, drink something and then go back to bed.  This was the case of how we found him when we arrived at his house.  We were supposed to make doughnuts as we put up the tree - we had Christmas music and Madi was loving the whole scene, but Preston remained on the couch, obviously not feeling well. His fever was high the first time - 104'.  Later, it dropped to 103', but still way too high for him to handle.  I suggested a blessing.
Mike explained to Preston the process - the why's, the who's and the when's of the procedure.  Preston listened to every word and understood everything Mike was telling him.  I was amazed watching Preston process it all.  I could see his sweet spirit believing everything Mike told him - and he would ask Papa a few questions - I just listened and found my heart touched by the experience that we anticipated.
Del anointed.  Preston sat reverently and didn't move.  Even folded his arms.  And unlike what other children may have done at that point, he remained in his seat, understanding that his daddy would now 'seal the blessing'.  The blessing wasn't long, but it was thorough.  As Del and Mike finished and stepped away from the chair, Preston hopped off and went to Papa and said 'Am I healed?'  Del
 expressed later that he thought quickly of how he should answer that question, not wanting to squelch Preston's innocent faith, but also wanting to be realistic.  He simply replied 'You will be'.
We didn't stay long that night, due the circumstances.  I was sad that the night hadn't gone as I had envisioned it would - the laughter, giggle, doughnuts, tree decorated and the kids playing.  But I was touched by the experience we HAD witnessed - and the spirit we had felt from our sweet grandson.
In our evening prayers, Del and I pleaded with the Lord to hear our prayers and heal Preston -
Kylie called the next morning, confirming to us, that 'the miracle' had occurred, and Preston was indeed, healed.
Hearts were full and thanks was given and expressed to a loving Heavenly Father that could hear the prayers and see the faith of a special little four year old boy and his family.
Our own little Christmas miracle.

A New Special Tradition

It was just us.  No little grandchildren running around or our kids teasing each other with snide and jabbing remarks.  It was just us.
Me and Del.  Softly playing Christmas music as we set up our new Christmas tree we purchase at Target last week. It's a pretty tree - a little different with some flocking.  I went days without buying ornaments because I just didn't know what I wanted yet. Choosing Christmas ornaments is an important decision, because they are the ornaments you will have for years to come.  And this was our year to purchase.  I had been using the same ornaments for 15 years - soft pink and sage green.  And I have loved them for the full 15 years we had them.  But it was time for a change in all things.
While listening to the music and setting up the tree, I asked Del if he was enjoying himself - having fun.  I was...in a different from the past kind of way.  I found it sweet that Del and I were doing it together - alone, in the quiet.  But as he expressed what I was feeling, we were missing the excitement of our own children and our grandchildren.  We missed the kids.
A few days after we had the tree up, I chose the color scheme I wanted to have - red and gold - with ivory as the accent ribbon.  I finished the decorating while Del was at the church doing tithing settlement.  When he came home, he expressed how pleased he was with what I had chosen. Over the following days, I finished decorating the home - with touches of lights and Christmas on the front porch, in the entry way inside, on the fireplace mantel and on the piano.
It's warm...cozy, inviting and soft.  I keep the lights dimmed for ambiance - it's exactly what I love.
I love coming home from work, every day, to the warmth and comfort of my home.  It's peaceful and quiet.  I'm able to feel the spirit quickly and often.  It's nice to feel and share that with Del.  And I'm realizing that when the kids and grandkids come over, the laughter, giggles, joy and happiness we experience is enjoyed and cherished.  But I am also enjoying the peace and quiet after everyone leaves.  I love both...A new stage of life.
A new normal..a new time for us.

Another Sleepover at Papa's House

It was time for another sleepover at Papa's house.  It's been a long time since we've had Preston over and then even longer since we had Madi stay over also.  So after Jordan and Lexi moved out, we had a whole room to where Papa would be able to sleep with Preston and Madi would be able to sleep with me in our master bedroom.
But there was so much fun to be had first.  Papa had gone out and purchased Nerf Guns, which happened to Preston's new favorite thing.  There have been nerf gun wars going on ever since - even on Thanksgiving day, at the dinner table, between Jordan and Kylie.  It really was quite funny to see nerf bullets flying all through the house.  Sure hope the missionaries, sitting at our Thanksgiving Table, thought so too.  They were laughing hard enough that hopefully they weren't offended by our total lack of 'proper table etiquette'.
After nerf wars came our tradition of Preston making smoothies with Papa.  But it appears that it was time to pass the torch...allowing Madi to now help in putting the strawberries in the mixer and then assisting the strawberries to the bottom of the mixer with the infamous plunger.  Madi did a great job and it was fun to see her finally enjoying the process that Preston had helped Papa with for years.  They sure do love their smoothies...
Of course, they had to 'perform' for us, standing on the fireplace hearth, singing and dancing for us before it was time to tell goodnight stories, read scriptures and then have family prayer.
The night went as planned for Preston and Del - They were both asleep within just minutes of saying goodnight.  Not so much in our wing of the house,  Madi doesn't do well away from her house and her crib.  I had her two horses, the two blankies, the humidifier, her baby and her binkie.  But there would be no sleep for either of us that whole night.  She asked continually for Papa, and wanted to see me every 5 minutes.  I was exhausted by morning.  Apparently, she went home and took a four hour nap and slept through the night also.
But it was worth it for the pictures and the memories.

These Made Me Laugh and Think

Merry Christmas from the Bliss Family

Dr Henao decided that for the first time, she wanted us to send out Christmas cards to all our patients and to about 50 doctors that we have a great professional relationship with.  So we asked Kylie to come down to our office and take pictures of the staff to put on the card. The picture above is what we sent out.
Yes, that is the staff of Bliss Orthodontics now.  Over the past 6 months, we have lost our receptionist, our one assistant, hired a new receptionist, and 2 new assistants, one being a man. Aside from Dr Henao, I am now the veteran in the office, as it should be.
But we're a good and strong staff.  I'm hoping that with these changes and new excitement between our personalities, that we will have a prosperous and growing new year.
Kylie took an individual picture of me, mostly because I don't usually wear that much make - up and hardly ever wear earrings.  She did a great job in photo shopping - .

Emerson: The Gerber Baby

He turned 9 months on November 19th.  Now, he's almost 10 months old.
And all these pictures have happened since he moved to Frisco.  I've had to steal them from Lexi and Jordan's face book page cuz he's no longer here in our home.  This has been the most difficult move, having Jordan, Lexi and little Em move to an apartment.  Now I miss everything he's been doing and only get to 'hear about' his growing up.  He's cut all four of his front teeth now - his hair is growing and going curly.  His parents say that he is trying to stand alone and take his first steps.  He even got to go see Santa without his Papa and Nana.
But he's a happy little boy.  You can see it in all his pictures.  He is growing like a weed...and so handsome.  He LOVES to be with other little children. Those times make him the happiest.
Speaking of handsome...His parents have entered him the Gerber Baby Crawler contest for cutest baby.  If he wins, by those votes he receives from those that post on facebook, then he will receive like a $5000 scholarship type thing and then also a years supply of Gerber food.  Jordan and Lexi are both reminding all of us, to vote daily for Emerson, in the hopes that he will win this little contest.We hope he wins too, so we vote every day.
And now it's Christmastime...as you can see, he had his first visit with the jolly old man at the Mall.  I love the picture.  I'm missing experiencing all of these pictures first hand but so glad Lexi is sharing them on face book.
I miss little Em...