December 14

 Merry Christmas to every person who reads this blog!  The nice thing about having this blog is:  you already know what is going on in my life because I share my blessed life by monthly instalment. I don't need to sit down in December to create a Christmas letter by recalling all I have done in the past year.

The picture above was taken in September 2022.  My girls' Christmas present to me last year was a photo shoot.  I finally discovered how to add photos to the blog.  What a breakthrough!

Although Linda and I haven't traveled since the blog instalment, we are always on the go.  

What's new?

1.  We both came down with Covid last week.  Head colds, fever, aching muscles, coughs, and sneezing fits...the usual.  On the bright side, the symptoms were not severe and we are recovered-just spending time in quarantine.  I would like to believe that all the jabs in my arm have lessened the impact of the dreaded covid.Our ambition has returned.  I baked dinner buns and cinnamon buns yesterday.  We made poppycock together today.  Linda has also been doing other Christmas baking this week as well.

2.  The girls are looking forward to the Christmas break.  Mary is still with Fireside Singers.  We will attend the Fireside Christmas Concert on December 19.  Thirty-five years of watching Mary perform at Christmas.  It never gets old.  Luvisa has some kind of performance coming up in preschool.  Only parents are invited so I will have to enjoy the video version.  Gunnar has gone from bum scooting-crawling to cruising, to using a walker thing, to taking his first steps.  I love these kiddos so much, but there is a new problem.  They cry when I leave.  Man, that's hard on this grandpa.  Good problem to have.  Haley continues to enjoy her new role in administration.  I love to listen to Haley sharing her school stories.  She is going to go far in teaching/principal biz.

3.  Mary and Morgan already celebrated Christmas with Morgan's family.  Morgan will have to work on Christmas Day.  Mary and the grandchildren will have Christmas Dinner at Haley and Dustin's home on Christmas Day.  This is the first year in a long time that Christmas Eve won't be spent at this house.  Christmas Eve will be at Mary and Morgan's so the kiddos can be in bed earlier.  I'm sure Gunnar will be asleep by 8, but I can see Luvisa rocking on until midnight and beyond.

4.  Linda's daughter, Erin from Edmonton and her son, Scott from Calgary will be at our place from December 23-27.  Linda, Erin, and Scott will be traveling to Prince Albert to spend Christmas Day with Linda's Sister's family.  I will be having Christmas Dinner at Haley's.  Dustin's family will be at Haley's, too.  Life is change.  As much as we love our traditions, we have to adapt.  Linda and I, and our families are just finding a way to make it work.

In closing, let me wish you a blessed Christmas.  Rejoice.  Be happy.  Choose loving ways.  Be slow to offend.  Forgive.  Be thankful.  Be generous.  Be patient.  Take time to be in the moment.  Think of all the ways that you have been blessed.  If you are going through challenges, hang on to the hope that things will get better.  Enjoy that turkey.  Don't feel too guilty about indulging in all the Christmas treats.  Give lots of hugs.  Remember the good times of Christmases past.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Haley and Dustin with my two grand dogs, Pieces (in front of Dustin) and Jaxon.

Morgan and Mary with Gunnar ( Gunder Bunder) and Luvisa (the Luv Bug).

My heart is full with these two.

I call him "The Gun Man"!

Gunnar's constant companion, Koala.  

The Red Head! Usually, she would have her companion "Pink Bear"... must have been in the wash.

My Luv Bug.  Full of vim and vigor.  Such a character!  I am looking forward to seeing her Ukrainian dance performance at Malanka on January 21.  Luv calls it Malonika.  Sounds right.

This is Linda, my partner.  She is wise and secure in who she is.  We make one another happy.  We take care of one another and listen to one another's woes.  We enjoy our times together, but we give one another space to pursue our passions.  We have great conversations.  It's nice to have someone to share your life with. She is always ready for adventure.  She has a wicked sense of humour.  She is an amazing cook.  She loves people as much as I do.  She loves her family with a fierce love.  She encourages me to stay in shape and eat healthily. My life is good.  I am very thankful.