MARRIAGE MONDAY

This month our challenge is to help your man express his honest feelings about Christmas. My husband is a bit of a softie underneath his gruff exterior which comes as a surprise to some but certainly not to me!

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I asked Dave about Christmas' as a child growing up, the oldest of 3 brothers in the 1950's & 60's. His was what I refer to as, a "Leave It To Beaver" childhood only my Father in Law was certainly NO Ward Cleaver! Still, as a child, Christmas' in their home were filled with excitement and anticipation. It was the overall experience and not one certain gift that he remembers. Home for my in-laws was Michigan but because of my father in law's career in the aircraft industry they lived in California (CONVAIR), Utah (MORTON THYACOL), Washington (BOEING) and lastly St. Louis (McDONALD DOUGLAS) so many of their Christmas' were spent away from immediate family. On Christmas Eve, his family would go out driving the neighborhoods looking for Christmas lights to "ooh & aww" over. I had to laugh at his story of how once when they were living in Utah on "the farm" (they rented the farmhouse and the farmer worked the land) his dad pointed to the sky and asked if they all could see Rudolph's blinking nose. His 2 younger brothers chimed in together how they couold but he said that for the life of him, he just didn't see it! Finally, he said "Oh yeah, there it is!" even though nothing in the sky had changed! After all, being the oldest brother, he couldn't say he hadn't seen it while his 2 younger brothers had! When they got home Santa had already left them a small gift to open and then it was off to bed, too excited to sleep!

David Alan Hopkins 3 years old, Christmas 1958 in San Diego, CA

We continued the viewing Christmas lights tradition when our children were younger and we always go to Church. Our kids would open their gifts from one another on Christmas Eve. The other gift that they were allowed to open before Christmas was their new Christmas ornament for the tree. I would give those out when we decorated the tree and ate German Lebkuchen. When our children moved away they got all of their ornaments to decorate their own tree, with the exception of "Baby's First Christmas", this one I get to keep. This year with our children all gone, it was a bit sad as I hung those 4 "First" ornaments on our tree. I lovingly hung the hand-made macaroni ornaments with photos of children all too soon grown up, tucked inside of them.

Dave is one of those rare men who enjoys Christmas shopping! He puts a lot of thought into the gift for that special person. I love how excited he is when he wants to show me what he got for so and so becasue it is always a tailor made gift to suit them! One year, he had an old picture of him and his best friend Charlie Moore (our sons are named after the each of them. We have Charles David and they have David Charles) on their first fishing trip together up in Ontario in 1975, mounted on canvas. Charlie had just inherited his family's summer cabin up in Ontario and now that picture of them hangs proudly up there! Charlie's grandfather built the family cabin by hand back in the 1950's so that same year, Dave had a sign made for Charlie to hang up there that said,
MOORE Cabin
Est. 1956


This year for Christmas Dave and I are doing something entirely different! For years, Dave has wanted to be in his favorite place on earth for Christmas. He has talked about it and this year it is happening! We will be spending Christmas in Yellowstone National Park, our ideal Christmas! We leave in less than 3 weeks and return to Texas on Dec 26th. We will be there midst the fresh snow, geysers, bison and elk! This has been a desire of ours for a very long time and it is now finally coming to fruition! It really doesn't matter where I am at Christmas just as long as Dave is with me!

This post is normally open to invited readers only but I have suspended that option until Wed Dec. 2nd.

THANKSGIVING MEMORIES 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 was a wonderful one! This is the first time Jennifer, Corey and the kiddos have come to Texas for the Holiday. Usually we go home to St Charles for Thanksgiving but since we are spending Christmas in Yellowstone this year, we changed up our tradition! They arrived Tuesday night and we had 2 1/2 days of fun together. Wed night, all the guys went to the Dallas STARS vs the St Louis BLUES game and witnessed Brett Hull's induction into the Hall of Fame! Brett Hull played for many years on the BLUES and also scored the winning goal in the STARS 1999 win of the Stanley Cup!

Thanksgiving Day was spent at Jessica and Steven's house. We ate way too much and thoroughly enjoyed the smoked turkey that Steven and Jessica prepared. They also made Stuffing, Giblet Gravy and Jessica's famous Ruth's Chris Sweet Potatoes! I was in charge of the Green Bean Casserole, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberries, Rolls and Ambrosia Salad! Laura was in charge of dessert with 2 Pumpkin Pies and 2 Pecan Pies!

Friday morning we went back out to Jessica and Steven's where we did Family pictures! Jessica is a gifted photogrpaher and it's a definite bonus to have so many Photographers in our family! Dave does Landscapes and Wildlife, Jessica does Portraits and Steven does Sports Photography. Jennifer and Corey hit the road for Missouri before 2 PM since they unfortnately have a funeral this afternoon to attend.

Here are some wonderful memories captured on film!


Jennifer with "Sweet Tart & Kit-Kat".

Corey feeds "TWIZZLER". He's grown SO much!

The girlies had a lot of fun rolling around on our waterbed, with or without Grampy!

"TWIZZLER" is one happy, laid-back little guy!

The girlies chillin' while watching "SANTA BUDDIES".

"Gumdrop & Jelly Bean' created place cards and colored pictures for all of the place settings!

The girlies await dinnertime!

TWIZZLER's first Thanksgiving!

Everybody working hard!

Charlie was put to work. If he wants a drumstick, he has to EARN it!

Dave talks to "ZEUS the Moose" who is hoping something falls onto the floor.

Jessica and Steven worked together prepping and then smoking this delicious turkey for all of us to enjoy!

Steven and I before he carved the turkey!

Uncle Steven and "Kit-Kat".

Dave & Corey.

Charlie loves the drumstick and picked it clean!

TWIZZLER will probably want the coveted drumstick NEXT year!

"KIT-KAT" works her way down the drumstick!

Grampy and TWIZZLER! He's waited a LONG time for a grandson to wear this Dallas STARS Hockey sleeper!

Jennifer rocks a new look!

I still am not used to Laura as a brunette. I really miss her naturally blond-white hair!

Auntie Lou couldn't get enough of TWIZZLER!

After gorging on Thanksgiving Dinner it's time to watch the Dallas Cowboys Game!

TAKING A BEATIN'

Yup, that would be my blog here, taking that beatin'! I have been in overdrive here geting the house all decorated for Christmas and I am pleased to say that besides buying the tree, I am done! That may not sound too impressive but when you consider I have 13 of the largest size plastic containers and *8 of the smaller ones filled to overflowing with Christmas decor and it is all displayed (except for the ornaments)then you can truly be impressed.If not, I will be impressed enough for the both of us!

So while my blog has been neglected here's what has been going on:

Front Loader washer was repaired.

TV, Side by Side and Range were all serviced.

Hot water heater went out after 16+ years and all that goes with that mess!
STILL waiting for the Denton Building Inspector to come out and approve the work!
(That's a LONG story in and of itself!)

Got a new computer and Dave did all of the hooking up and transferring.

Dishwasher went out, turns out it's only the outlet!
(note to self: You STILL need to call someone!)

Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner went out! Got it back on Monday and when I went to use it yesterday, a vital part was missingso it's back in the shop!

Decorated the house for Christmas since Jennifer, Corey & the kiddos are in town for Thanksgiving.

Prep work for Thanksgiving as well as planning for my annual Bake-a-Thon day next month.

Christmas shopping and wrapping gifts (almost done).

Making a list for our Christmas in Yellowstone trip coming up in *3 more weeks!

I will start working on my Christmas cards this weekend and crafting my annual letter to go inside. Yesterday Jennifer, Corey and the kiddos hit the road for Texas, they are sleeping right now and I didn't EVEN hear them get in last night! Tomorrow we will be going to Jessica and Steven's house for Thanksgiving (They are doing the Turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes), I am in charge of the side dishes and Laura will bring the desserts.

My prayer for all of you is that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. As I reflect on this year quickly coming to a close, I have MUCH to be thankful for! We have had our share of trials like anyone else but I am thankful to have a God who is in control no matter what my human eyes see. Oh that I might see more with spiritual eyes than these limited human ones! It is from His hand and only by His grace and mercy that I have the blessings of Dave, family and security! I am thankful for a Savior who has recused me from my own self and has given me the best gift of all, eternal life! I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who guides, teaches, reveals, disciplines me when needed and draws me into a more intimate relationship with God!

May all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM

On Sunday Morning, Brenda and I visited a nearby church for service then checked out of our motel. WE headed for the Lincoln Presidential Museum to take in the sights. It is one of THE best museums I have ever been in! We stayed for hours and enjoyed the 2 different films they showed in their theaters.

Brenda and I with the Lincoln Family. Inside the White House facade, was a labyrinth of exhibits chronicling his White House years. It exited into a gallery housing personal items of President Lincoln, including one of his stove pipe hats where his fingerprints have worn through the fabric.

Posing with General Ulysses Grant and General McClellan.

John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's murderer. Lincoln just lived long enough to know the most violent and divisive war in our Nation's History had ended but was killed before experiencing a peaceful Presidency.
Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Smith.

The log cabin was a replica of the one he grew up in as a child. It is however a facade and after entering inside it winds through numerous exhibits, leading up to his being elected as President in 1860.

Brenda with a a young Abraham Lincoln.




In the museum, I couldn't resist having a little fun!
The historic train depot where Lincoln's body was returned for his funeral in the state's capitol.



This statue of Lincoln even had his papers in the band of his stovepipe hat which is where he kept them back in the days when he was a circuit lawyer.


The quote by President-elect Lincoln before he left Springfield for Washington, DC never to return.

LINCOLN HISTORIC HOME SITE

After Beth Moore was finished on Saturday, Brenda and I did some site seeing. We toured this historic site and it was wonderful; I loved every moment we spent there. I felt transported back in time.

Brenda with the State Capitol behind her.

Lincoln's National Historic Home Site in Springfield, Illinois. This link gives more information.

Home of President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln located on the corner of Eight & Jackson Streets. Their only surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln donated the home to the State of Illinois with the stipulation that no one will ever be charged an admission to view the home! Originally the home was a single story with a loft when the Lincoln's purchased it in 1844. It went through 5 remodels before being completed in 1856.

The formal parlor. It was here on May 19th, 1860 that Lincoln was asked to run for President. He accepted the nomination several days later.

The back parlor was originally the bedroom of Abraham and Mary Lincoln (before remodeling). It was here that their son Edward passed away, days before his 4th birthday.

The Lincoln Family Dining Room.

The Lincoln's Sitting Room, similar to today's Family Room.

The Lincoln boys' favorite toy in the Sitting Room, a Stereoscope.

Brenda heads upstairs.

The Guest Room as well as Robert Lincoln's Bedroom.


President Lincoln's Bedroom. It was common for husbands and wives if their finances allowed, to have their own bedrooms.



Mrs. Lincoln's bedroom, adjacent to the President's.

Willie and Tad's Bedroom.

The hired girl who worked for the Lincoln's Bedroom.

Back downstairs, the kitchen was the center of activity in the home.


The National Parks Foundation has closed off 4 blocks in President Lincoln's neighborhood to automobiles and when I closed my eyes, I could faintly hear the sounds of horse's hooves, clopping down the streets! Here is one of his neighbor's home, the Robinson family. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see a block inscribed with ROBINSON on it. When the carriages pulled up in front of a home, it was a stepping block to exit the carriage!

After having our picture taken here in front of this wagon, Brenda heard a man's voice asking her if she would take their picture. When we looked, it was a black man with his white wife. It was profound in that, in Lincoln's time, this event would NEVER have occurred! Brenda and I both instantly recognized the full weight of that moment! It was incredibly cool!

Another wagon exhibit.

The Cook Home.

The Dean House which houses a Lincoln exhibit.

A beautiful Autumn day!

A little bit of goofiness!