Hugh's Birthday Party

The birthday boy, watching for party guests to arrive

He was so ready to taste that cake!

Katherine wants some, too.

Melissa made Thomas masks for party favors

All the Moore cousins

Emily made Hugh a Sir Topham Hatt costume

Enjoying his new toys and games

The Lewis Edition: December and Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! :)

I had so much fun decorating our tree!  We didn't have one last year, so this was a "first" for me. Most of the ornaments and other decorations were given to us, and it was so special to unwrap them and remember so many dear, dear friends. It was also neat combining mine and Russell's ornaments from over the years ... our tree had lots of violin, music note, John Deere and chicken ornaments! ;)

Christmas lights ... so beautiful in the dark!

Reminds me of Jesus Christ, "The light (who) shines

in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it"!

I made these for our church's annual

Christmas Carol Sing and fellowship time.

All ready to start on Christmas treats for our music students!

Thanks for the idea, Sarah!  The kids loved them!

And now there are gifts under the tree!

These poinsettias were given to Russell after he played for a graduation.

They were absolutely the most beautiful poinsettias I'd ever seen!

Christmas gifts, for Mama Flo and a dear friend in WI...

I was so happy to find these!

Russell's school students gave an enjoyable Christmas concert!

The 5th and 6th graders looked so festive

(and adorable!) in their Christmas colors!

When I arrived at Buckner one morning I was amazed to find

the entire hallway lined with donated bicycles for foster children!

Put a smile on my face every time I walked by!

Some of the Christmas cards and pictures we received ...

thanks, everyone!

We left mid-December on our Christmas trip!

Our first stop was El Dorado, Arkansas, where Russell played

a Christmas concert with the South Arkansas Symphony.

I love what they did with the lights!

The next day the symphony did a repeat concert in

Monticello, Arkansas.  I enjoyed it just as much

the second time!

After spending a couple of nights and a day with my family

in Tennessee, we traveled on to Ohio.

Celebrating Christmas with Russell's family ...

such a sweet time!

Our sister-in-law, Fay, sets such beautiful tables!

Stuart and Fay were dog sitting.  Russell and I enjoyed

having Muppet around!

And we got to see snow!!! 

Such a treat for these Texas folks! ;)

We drove back to Tennessee on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day celebrations!

Rebekah and Mama Flo are "twins" in their matching 

sweatshirts! ❤

Mel and Ross each received a new hat!

Katherine and I took a selfie ...

... then she took another!

I love watching Mama Flo interact with Hugh and Katherine;

they have a very special relationship!

Katherine with her new tea set,

which she set up all by herself!

Melissa, Hugh and Katherine sang,"Silent Night"

for everyone. So precious!!!

Such a special season, remembering the birth

of our Savior and why He came!

In Loving Memory

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15

On January 2 our dear Mrs. Beeman departed this earth to live eternally with her Savior!

To know Mrs. Beeman was to love her.  As my grandma said so many times, "I don't think there's anyone who doesn't like Suzi!"

Mrs. Beeman had a very special way of interacting with people of all ages; people young and old were drawn to her.  I remember there was always a "line" of friends waiting to talk to her!  She was surrounded by people who considered it an honor to spend a minute with her.  She was a friend to so many; every one of my siblings and both my parents would say that Mrs. Beeman was one of their dearest friends!

One of the things that made a conversation with Mrs. B so prized is that she was a great listener.  She showed that what you had to say was important.  Mrs. Beeman had a lot of wisdom.  She was a great encourager.  She also showed humility; she willingly admitted that she wasn't perfect and there were things she wished she had done differently.  That kind of humility caused me to respect and look up to her even more!

I loved watching the way she lovingly served her husband, the way she loved and sacrificed and gave for him and their children and grandchildren.  She also served her friends.  I remember when she showed up with a big, beautiful, delicious lunch on our busy moving day in 1997; watching her read story after story to my younger siblings, and, in time, her grandchildren; having her help us during busy summers on our farm in Tennessee, snapping green beans and shelling peas for hours.  Her servant's heart was so big!

Mrs. Beeman loved in a way that few people do, but in a way that everyone could feel!  She seemed almost blind to other's faults and always believed the best about people.  Because of this she had friends from many walks of life; whether or not she agreed with you, she respected and loved you, and you knew it!

I think one of the things that made her love so special is how she loved.  She loved by giving.  And isn't that how Christ loves us?  "For God so loved ... that he gave"!  Mrs. B's life was an exemplary picture of the love of God!

When I think about Mrs. Beeman, I think about the beauty and love of Christ, dogwood flowers, old books, peacocks and parakeets, strawberries and grapes, laughing at Mr. Beeman's jokes ... so many memories!  She was surrounded by family and friends who loved her.

So ... as we used to say when the Beeman family was leaving our home in Tennessee to drive back to Texas, "Goodbye not!"  Mrs. B, this is not, "Goodbye!" ... we will see you again someday!

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b