Christmas at the Fender's in 2008

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas this year and that you were able to make some wonderful memories as you spent time with your loved ones. Richie and I had a good Christmas even though we missed my Mom in Southern California very very much!! It was definitely NOT the same without her but we enjoyed getting to talk to her on the phone and we also began talking about our Christmas plans for next year so that kept us all smiling and got us through the day just fine. We are planning on traveling to Southern California next year and spending the holidays with my Mom. Yay! :)

Richie and I celebrated Christmas morning at our house in North Carolina as it was our first Christmas married all by ourselves in our own home. It wound up turning out just fine even though it was a little different. We had our traditional Christmas breakfast and then we opened our gifts from our family near and far as well as our gifts from each other. Hoagie and Harmony even got some gifts.....they of course loved the food ones but weren't so sure about something else that they got from their CA Grandma. LOL! Look below......our mini Dachshunds were turned into little Reindeer's. They just weren't sure about this and knew that Santa played some kind of practical joke on them. I of course just couldn't contain myself and laughed until I cried. It was a lot of fun and our babies say thanks Grandma....... ;)



After we were done with the gifts and laughs we got ready and headed over to Richie's Mom's house. We exchanged gifts with them and then we had a wonderful Christmas dinner. We had a blast with our 7 month old nephew Jackson and thoroughly enjoyed watching him open his gifts. He is always such a joy to be around and he is growing so big. He loves everybody and as long as your paying him some attention he is pretty content. Next year he will be ready to take part in all of the festivities and get to enjoy Christmas a little more.

All in all it was a pretty good day. I was feeling pretty down at first but then I began to think about the homeless, the ones in the military who are serving our country far away from their families, and the ones who work serving the public such as policemen, firemen, and Doctors. That helped put things in perspective for me and reminded me how much I have to be grateful for. Once again I hope that you had a terrific holiday and that you were blessed as I was. I hope as you begin 2009 you will take the time to make new memories and reach for your dreams. I have learned and seen that God truly is in control if we surrender our lives to Him. May you have a wonderful year ahead and may you cherish the ones you love. God bless!

In His Grip

~Lori Fender