These are a few . . .

. . . of my favorite things (at Christmas dinner that is)!

Auntie Donna's
Candied Yams . . . .


Jacob's Brussels Sprouts


Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions


. . . and, "Punkin" and Pecan Pies!

How Christmas Looked Here!

Though it is just a "tid" late, didn't want these pics to slip by! These are some captures of what our Christmas morning looked like here with our seven. We had a wonderful time together . . . together just as we like it to be!




The Main Man and I have now celebrated 20 Christmases together! Our life is so blessedly joyfully "full"!

Following are some pics of my beloved extended family! Together, we had fourteen at our home for a wonderful Christmas day! It was so good to have our "Virginians" with us!



Indeed, it was a very nice Christmas celebration! Despite the rough time I had in December, our time was joyous. My husband and children were so patient and helpful. Without the boys putting together the trees, the girls helping with decorating, and The Main Man's "keeping things in order" . . . none of our day would have happened. Auntie Donna made delicious dishes for us to savor, Uncle B whipped out a mean batch of potatoes, and Jacob's brussels sprouts were oh so tasty! We ate well and cherished the time!

Merry Christmas one and all!

Before January 1st . . .

. . . I'd better get my Christmas greetings out! Just mailed the Christmas cards today! Here's a glimpse of what was sent . . .


We also included a fun type of letter that captured our year in "numbers"! It's as follows:

2009 BY THE NUMBERS

168 Relaxing, delightful, fun-filled hours spent vacationing on Balboa Island!

34 Cumulative years of homeschooling taught this year by our beloved teacher, Mrs. W.!

18 July 27ths have now been spent celebrating our marriage!

1,116 Days celebrated on September 8th of Cathy being “cancer-free”! September 29th marked the erasure of that milestone. Successful surgery followed in October, removing this third cancer recurrence.

365 Mornings Sarah has been found cuddling “Pink Dress Baby”!

74 Native West Virginians who’ve asked if Hannah’s a native too (she’s lost six teeth!).

33 Posts written about our family by Cathy on her blog.

3,748 “Lines” completed by James in a single hand-held Tetris game!

12 Months Lee has provided well for our family working long hours while sleeping short ones!

25,085 Hours until the next Presidential election. :)

2 Stitches received by Jacob after stabbing himself in his hand, but not while cooking!

99,999 Beats beaten by Jared. (He later received a drum set for his birthday!)

16 Inches grown in height by the Williams children.

240 Work days Lee has wanted to change careers from adult babysitter at Riverside Community College District to a small town Wal-Mart greeter!

163 Friends Cathy has on Facebook! Are you one of them?

1,000,000 Times we have been thankful for wonderful family and friends like YOU!

1 Birthday party for our Savior, Christ Jesus, who came to save this world! Happy Birthday!

Wishing you a joyful Christmas from our family to you and yours,

Lee & Cathy Williams
James, Jacob, Jared, Hannah and Sarah

Jacob's Celebration

Celebrating our Jacob's fourteenth birthday was great fun! It's always wonderful to celebrate this dear child who was born 3.5 weeks early. The nurses that fabulous day were shocked at this 8.5 pound "preemie" . . . can you imagine what he would have weighed had he been born on his due date in mid-January? We jokingly say he couldn't wait for Christmas, being carried out of the hospital in a stocking! The party-goers at this fiesta for Jacob were all family members who love him so. He is special to many!

This second child of ours blesses our home in ways so unique to him. He is the middle of three boys, yet the second oldest of our five. He just might have the "sweetest" spot of all! He rolls with the ups and downs of this place never seeming to get out of sorts. He's quite skilled at keeping up with James, however can easily fall back and hang with Jared. He's a fantastic leader for the little chicks, watching out for them with great care. Each of us are better because he is in our life!



Jacob's birthday gifts this year were focused on his love for being in the kitchen. We all benefit from his natural abilities when it comes to food and the preparation of it! Frequently, he cooks our dinner, trying out "new" techniques and ways to serve certain items. Don't know that I've tasted something yet I'd "send back". His instincts are so right on! With these thoughts in mind, we cleared out a cupboard section in the kitchen and gave him items to have "fun" with . . . and to Jacob, this IS fun!! He was elated with his red checkered towels, red microplane, red mixing bowls, red spatulas, and a few other goodies to round out his inventory. Have you detected that his favorite color is . . . red? Stay tuned for a soon-to-be released video clip of "Cooking with Red".

Happy Birthday dear Jacob! We love love love you and consider it such joy to call you our child. It is a blessing to have you, watch you, nurture you . . . and love you!

On This Day . . .

. . . fourteen years ago, I was pacing the hallway of what has now become a very familiar set of walls, monitoring contractions, stopping for breath, leaning upon my dear husband for strength. Although, on this particular final fall day, these pacings were only my second time of admittance! After two plus months of bedrest due to pre-term labor, reaching 36.5 weeks of pregnancy was a major accomplishment. The prematurity of this baby's arrival was readily received. A not-so-long day would be had before the arrival of this precious second child. Come 5:00 p.m. or so, we would find out that this new babe was our second son, giving our James a brother!

Today, we celebrate you dear Jacob!! As we head for a family celebration in your honor, know that you are loved beyond what words could describe! Pictures will be posted later of this celebration and the joy that you bring! I'm looking forward to the cake you made for your birthday party . . . you little baker!

Happy Happy Birthday, Jacob . . . I love you always!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

If you're not familiar with Tim Hawkins, a Christian comedian, that must change! Here's a sample of something he's offered up for Christmas. There's much more to this hilarious guy . . . go to www.timhawkins.net if you'd like to see more of his comedy!

Now Here's Some Christmas Spirit!

Someone shared this with me on Facebook and I thought it was simply fascinating! If you've got about three minutes, sit back and enjoy this group of men hit it hard for Christmas! You'll need to scroll to the bottom of my blog to pause any music that might automatically play when you enter here! Enjoy!

What's Behind the Front

My house looks beautiful, doesn't it? At least we like the way it looks! It's really rather simple to gather some lights, garland, and other pretties . . . hang and fluff 'em . . . and you're good to go for a lovely decorated "front". Probably gives the idea that Christmas celebrating is in full swing here on the Lane on which I live.

My home, however, is another story. You know, the area "inside" these house walls. This referred to "area" looks no different than any other day of the year. There is no not one bit of decoration placed for which to indicate that Chrismtas is only 12 days away. This makes me sad. The Christmas season typically brings such a celebratory mood for me. Easily, I can get caught up in the decorating and shopping and wrapping and baking and eating! Remembering the birth we go to such great lengths to celebrate is something that doesn't leave my mind, even with all the commercialization at this time of year. That being said, there are still the emotions of this life that come into play and are seemingly "distracting" what I should be doing. Yes, "should" . . . can't seem to get the "want" within me.

This house "front" is something of similar nature to my own life. Recently, I feel like I've got a "front" on for the viewing pleasure of others. Each day is a challenge of late, feeling like there's always something behind me . . . pushing me to get through. There's not much drive within me, yet I keep going, attempting to find a joyful purpose in each moment. The children's lives do help in steering this steamboat, for which I'm grateful.

Last night, I was lovingly scolded by James regarding my lack of posts this week. He warned me that I'd lose readers' interest. Off to bed I went pondering these thoughts. Back and forth went my brain. Shall I write the truth? Shall I share where I'm at? Shall I make it look like I've got it all together? Shall I put on a "front"? I'm so not into "fronts". Truth and realness are huge issues for me and how I function . . . even if they are less than delightful. I suppose this is the cause for my lack of posts. Having fallen into a bit of a trap, I feel not so pretty about what to write. (Oh, and about "readers' interest" . . . I am honored that you read, however, this blog is for purposes other than popularity. Not sure than I can yet fully grasp what God's plans are for these writings.)

Regardless, there remains two points to consider here. First, Christmas is only 12 days away. My children are well aware of this fact! Hannah has had a countdown going since early November . . . longer than most traditional red and green paper chains would ever be! Second, the "side-effects" of cancer hitting our home for a third time, are having some reeling affects. Three times is too many for any home. Shoot, once is too many for any home. As hard as I try to avert it, this cancer fact has kind of got me. Additionally, it is being fueled somewhat by the lack of an ovary. This past week held a doctor visit to consult about how this is changing my body, resulting in lack of energy and challenged emotional state. There have been some extrememly emotional days here in the last six weeks. Is this what is stealing my mood? It certainly is not fair to my husband and children who have been so patient and good to me during these past couple of months.

So, in dealing with these truths, how do I muster up the "spirit" of the season? How do I make myself not the subject of a "front" but what is reality within me? During this writing, the answer has come to me. Of course, it is to call upon the name of the Lord. Is this not what we are to do at all times? Having grown up in a home where Christmas was simply another time of "fronts" and lies, the pressure I place upon myself to not repeat those experiences is tremendous. It is a lie from the enemy to think my home is anything like my childhood home. It is NOT and will never ever be . . . whether or not there are decorations. Perhaps this year we will learn a bit more about what Christmas is all about. Maybe the lack of decorations and such will cause our focus to be more on Him and the birth of His Son. We are setting aside a day, a season to celebrate a most incredibly blessed event that perhaps loses some clarity with our American-style celebrating. I believe we can celebrate this year . . . just not in the typical fashion with which we're accustomed!

Two weeks ago, the girls each purchased a pink Christmas tree from Kohl's that were on a screamin' sale. The Main Man had a slight question regarding their color, but, quickly was informed by the Main Pink Lover that the Junior Pink Lovers just about melted upon seeing them on display! They are out of the box and have been clad with ornaments appropriate for such tone. There are pearl white ones, there are soft opal-type pink ones, there are clear ones with blingy sparkle paint, and there are even a few Hello Kitty ornaments! So very different from anything of prior years . . . but, oh, so very cute! These might possibly become the decorations for this year. The boys are lovers of their sisters, therefore, they are enjoying these trees! It has even been said today that they each would just love to "be" together during our time away from school and not get so stressed out with the "shoulds" of the season. This Mama seems to suffer terribly from the "over analysis" bug! Why don't I receive the cure for it that is so easily dispensed by my precious children . . . "just sit and be with us Mama". Now those are beautiful words!

So, what's behind the front? As far as I can determine, this woman here is very human, yet very passionate about her Heavenly Father. That makes for a challenge at times and presently, at this time. I'll rise to the occasion and celebrate His birth regardless of what seasonal items may be on display. That, to me, would be the eliminating of this thought of a "front" and placing truth where it ought to be . . . right out there in "front". Maybe the lights on the front of the house are kind of like the make-up we sometimes put on to perk ourselves up just a bit. And in that application, we find another measure of ability to keep going!

I'm Singin' . . . Are You?

You might have noticed the change in music as you logged on today! One of my loyal readers suggested a change in tunes since December is here. I was glad to accommodate her . . . my sister, Christy! Merry Christmas and let the season of celebration begin!

Christmas music is one my favorite things of this time of year. Having gathered an extensive collection through the years, we probably have more than is possible to listen to! So as to not make that a problem, we enjoy our Christmas music from mid-November through January . . . a unanimous family decision. There's always much sadness as the ginormous "stack" goes back in the drawer to wait for the next year. But, for right now, we are singin' and havin' a celebration! Hope your time of celebrating His birth is underway in glorious fashion . . . regardless of the magnitude!

What I Am Missing!

Having just finished watching a rerun of The Brady Bunch, it all became so clear to me! I have married an architect. I have three boys. I'm only one girl short of three girls. BUT . . . I have NO Alice!! Now, this is the answer I have been looking for! Have you ever paid attention to what Alice actually does for Carol Brady? The list is endless, making Carol's existence so very simple. She always looks lovely and is in a delightful mood for her dear husband, Mike. What do you suppose they paid Alice for her services? Is there room in our budget for such an expense? Hmmmm......

Gramma's Request

My Gramma, the only one I've ever known and the one I love so very much, called yesterday! It's always a treat to hear her voice on the other end of the phone! Since she thinks I'm so busy, it's a very rare thing for her to call possibly interrupting me. She is right, I'm busy all the time. The part she doesn't seem to grasp is . . . I'll ALWAYS make time for her, she's a privilege for me! After we caught up on the "how are yous" and such, she got to the point. Last week, she had come to our home and spent the night to be here then next day for Thanksgiving. We had all Wednesday and Thursday with her here, something each one of us immensely enjoyed! During that time, she asked about seeing this here blog. As she doesn't have a computer, she's only heard about it from my cousin, Jessica (her sixth and youngest grandchild) and me. I printed out a copy of all my posts and sent them home with her to read at her leisure. Yesterday, she pulled out her pom-poms and cheered me on with some very "Gramma-type" compliments. She's got to be one of my biggest fans! I'm quite certain at some point in her life she donned a cheerleader outfit with the biggest pom-poms you've ever seen (we just haven't ever seen any of those pics!). She encourages like no other and makes you think you do most, if not all, things "just right"!


What was she requesting you ask? This dear Gramma of mine wanted to be added to my hardcopy mailing list! She doesn't want to miss a post. This makes her the very first "subscriber" via the US Post for my blog. Of course I'll "print copy" for this rather unusual request with great honor, keeping her up-to-date on all her first grandchild writes!


Here's a few "love bits" about my dear Gramma:
* She became a grandma the day I was born.
* Our birthdays are just three days apart . . . she was so hoping I'd be born on her day!
* This year, I became half her age! She turned 88 and I turned 44 three days later! Strange to think she became a grandma at my age now!
* Her maiden name, Coleman, is the middle name of our third son, Jared . . . named in her honor.
* She's affectionately called "Great Blue" by the great-grandchildren. When I was very little, I distinguished her from my other grandma by calling her "Blue Gramma". For years, the adults didn't understand the "blue" in her name, but used it anyway. As I got older, I revealed to them the very sensible association of her to the light blue 1964 1/2 Mustang she drove!

So, here's another post for you to read, Gramma! I'm sure you didn't think your request would result in this. It did, however, give me opportunity to share some about you and the wonderful person you are! I love you in ways too deep to put on paper! Thank you for loving me each and every one of my days.