Of course you know I am kidding. But doesn't it always just fly by? Who can forget, though, the decorating of the infamous gingerbread houses (another post for that one), or the looks on the faces of our little ones as Santa entered the house….or the thrill of seeing their wide eyes as they tore open paper to find  a gift they wanted more than anything else in the world….or the sounds of the choir at midnight mass (you see, we have an incredible choir at St James)….or the laughter and joy that sprinkled each moment? I think the memories will linger for me for a long time.
I wish you the gentle sounds of angels singing…..

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Geneology 12/25/2011
 
Our Christmas was blessed because we were with all of our family and extended family. The newest little addition is Michael James Manno, 4 months old. And so, the title of geneology. 

One of the gifts we all received from Jim's sister, Kathleen, was a book on Jim's parents' backgrounds…..from as far back as 5 generations! Kathleen worked on this masterpiece for 10 years!!! And as I look back I remember vacations with she and Stan when we were tromping thru old cemeteries in Scotland and Ireland, taking pictures of graves and headstones….walking down the aisle of the church where his dad and his nine siblings were baptized…seeing the tiny apartment they lived in…adding our footsteps to the common ground they walked on. In New York we visited the apartment where Jim and Kathleen's mom was raised. It is close to Central Park, a favorite place for Marion, where she and her dad took frequent walks and had great conversations. We visited the home her aunt had lived in …. a small tiny town in Sligo Ireland. 

The book is not just a masterpiece of information but also contains incredible photos of great great grandparents, etc. There is documentation from their arrival(s) in the US. As I read through the book today  I see incredible resemblances in today's generation.
Each face has a story, and it is a joy to be able to connect with them.

I am so grateful for all Kathleen did so that we could share in this family tree.
 lessings to you and your families.



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Well, hard to believe it, but Christmas is here. Remember several weeks ago I talked about the gifts we would bring the Christ child for his birthday?

I am bringing the gift of gratitude. Everywhere I look I am reminded of how blessed I am….for family, friends, faith, music, freedom, and so much more.  My heart has wrapped the gift…..
and humbly I present it to this little baby.
Have a blessed CHristmas
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What you GET is how you make a living
What you GIVE is how you make a life.

Blessings and joy as we move closer to the birthday of a child who gave all to save the world.
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How are the Christmas preparations going for you? Have you been able to take a little quiet time in the midst of the busyness these past weeks? If not, there's still time. It doesn't have to be a long time, just time enough to sort out the day, embracing the thoughts and feelings of your mind and heart...and listening to the still, small voice within. 
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Jim and our son, Jim, and I went to see Mission Impossible this afternoon. Apparently Tom Cruise did all of his own stunts....a real (????)bionic man!! Scaling windows and ledges on tall buildings, running miles without losing his breath, driving into a lake but managing to get out without a scrape (or drowning).....

Anyway, I got to thinking about what it must have been like for Mary, a young virgin, when the angel appeared to her and told her she would bear a son. Now THAT sounds like it would be an impossible mission! Yet she trusted so completely and agreed to take part in the plan (mission?). I wonder .... did it ever occur to her to say NO? You know, I don't think so, because I think she TRUSTED completely. She had to have known this was a difficult assignment for many reasons. Still she TRUSTED.

Do we trust or do we TRUST? What would it take to TRUST in times of impossible situations?
I wish you peace....................................
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 I know someone who becomes a Christmas angel during this season. She anonymously gives a little money to someone who has been especially kind during the year. The person is always someone who the angel sees on a regular basis in a restaurant, Starbucks, Panera, etc…..yes, indeed, they are people who work there. She places the money in a card and simply signs it "A Christmas Angel." Hmmm, you wonder, how can she be anonymous about it? Well, she has someone else bring the card to the person as they are working…..one year she asked a total stranger who was entering Starbucks to please give the envelope to a particular clerk. Other times she has a grandchild experience this moment of joyful giving, allowing them to see the surprise and joy on the face of the recipient. Hmmmm, kind of makes you want to be a Christmas Angel, too, doesn't it? 

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Hard to believe today is the last Sunday of Advent!!!! Only one week until the celebration of the birth of an innocent child who would change the world. And as that birthday approaches, I return to my original thought(s) from the beginning of Advent. Have you decided what gift(s) you will bring to this child? Gifts come in all different sizes and shapes. If you are a parent, do you recall receiving priceless gifts frrom your children, bought with their allowances, so thrilled to be able to "give" and not just receive? For this little babe, you don't need to "purchase" anything....just give of yourself to another....sounds so simple, doesn't it? Can we do it?
I believe we can......
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NOsnow 12/15/2011
 
How can it be Christmas in the midwest without SNOW???! I mean, really, how about just an inch of white glistening snow, Mother Nature! Ok, ok, I know it is pretty at first, then a bit of a mess. But, honestly, it would all look so much prettier. Hmmmmmmmmmm, I guess I won't share that with my wonderful husband, who is in charge of the snow at our house.
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Ah, yes, finally, I can decorate MY gingerbread house!!! Being VERY creative, Paddy asked us for one side of the roof to  be green and the other white. A large chocolate Santa adorned one side of the roof….and within minutes Santa slid down the roof!  No sense in trying to explain the laws of gravity at this time!!!
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Gramma loves to watch my creativity!!!
Hard to see, but his little face is beaming!!!!! 
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Such glee
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The Finished Product
Every piece of candy was strategically laid out in certain order….that would be PATRICK'S" order! One can never have enough gumdrops….M & Ms marshmallows….hershey kisses….neccos…..and so much more!
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TA DAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
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