Happy Birthday Perri

Happy Birthday Perri Rae Moore!

As of Dec. 28, 2008, our Grand-daughter Perri is now officially 9 years old.

Perri is and has always been one of the sweetest children we've known. And we don't say that just because she's ours ... Perri is loved by all who know her and she is a kind-hearted soul who deeply cares for other people. She's active in her school and she loves to talk. Just ask Bobby. It will be interesting to see her grow up and be the woman God intends for her to be.

Happy Birthday Perri-Perri ... We love you very, very much! Gram & Papa Moore

Merry Christmas, 2008

Hi Family,

Merry Christmas Day to each of you. It's a beautiful day, even with the cold and snow; each day we're given can be beautiful, it just depends on our attitudes and how we see what's been given to us by Almighty God.

And this day is a gift from Him! Many have already had little ones wake them from a sound sleep this morning to see if Santa really did come last night. Those folks may be taking a much-needed nap by now, or at least planning on one a bit later in the day. I remember those days ... when Dave & Shawn were little guys and couldn't wait 'til Christmas Day to open gifts and stand awed that the old man in the red suit had indeed been to our house. Truthfully, I think they both figured out who Santa really was long before they let us know. Why spoil a good thing?

I remember George & I lying in bed with younger siblings, trying to convince them that Santa WAS real and he WAS coming to our house, if only they would be quiet and go to sleep. We all knew he couldn't come if kids were awake. One night in particular, as George & I finally had the younger ones sleeping, we heard something on the roof. Honest to goodness, we did. We laid there, almost afraid to move and whispered "Did you hear that?" "Yeah, I heard it ... what was it? Was that bells? Was it?" We were the ones then convinced that somehow, the man called Santa HAD indeed been to our house!

I also remember the year that Uncle Buss & Aunt Jane were Santa for us. Had it not been for them, there wouldn't have been gifts at all that Christmas. We had some challenging times growing up and if we choose to, we can linger way back there and let it affect us still today in a very negative way. What I've learned is that the best thing we can do is realize the rough places can serve to make us humble and thankful if we'll let them. I bet you thought I would say they'd make us stronger, didn't you? I used to think that, but from my perspective at this time in life, I see that they've done just the opposite. They've helped me see my need of Someone who IS strength ... I can't do it by myself ... all I accomplish in any given day comes from Him. And for that I am thankful. For the past and it's trials and joys and tears and laughter, I thank Him; and for the now and all it holds ... trials and joys and tears and laughter, I thank Him. We'll not escape any of those while we're on this earth.

What we can do is look to Christ and ask His help to get through each trial that comes our way. We can ask Him to forgive us and guide us as we do the best we can with what we've been given.

We can thank Him for His undying love for His children and His promise to see us safely Home when this life here is ended.

I pray for each member in my family ... my first prayer is that all will come to a saving, living faith in Christ Jesus. My second is that He will supply all your needs; that you and your children and grand-children will be kept safe and shielded from harm. That He will be your source of joy and that knowing Him will be the greatest gift you'll ever receive. I pray that you will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Creator and Sustain-er of the universe and be in awe of His greatness, majesty and glory.

As you go through today, take time to remember the Who and Why we celebrate. Without the birth of Christ, all those years ago, this would simply be another day on the calendar. Each time you look at a calendar, remember that, will you? He is the Reason ... not just for this season ... but for everything!

Merry Christmas ... I love you all,

Louise

The Christmas Story from Luke, Chapter 2:1-20

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them

Mary did you know that your baby boy
will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby,
you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak,
the praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
is the great I Am.

Jane & Shawn "A.K." - After Kids

Our Jane & Shawn ... "B.K." Before Kids...

Christmas Memories, 2008 - David

Christmas Memories from David ...

What was your favorite Christmas as a child? “The year we spent with Mom after she had gotten out of the hospital. We really didn’t think she would ever come home. So that was Awesome!”

What gift didn't you get that you really wanted?
“The Anarchists Cookbook!” "Actually….It would have had to be the Millennium Falcon. I was a Star Wars FANATIC as a kid…. I actually believe Eric Foreman from That 70’s Show is a great example of how bad I was. LOL”

What gift did you get that took you by surprise?
“The Batmobile was one that sticks out in my mind.”

What made Christmas special?
“BOTTOMLINE….. The entire family being together on that one night. I tell my girls about it, and it’s hard to do without tearing up. It is a SPECIAL memory that I wish I could make real for them. It’s hard to describe the LOVE that we all once had for each other.”

What are your favorite foods during this special time of year?
“NUTROLLS…..(why couldn’t Santa have left those in the Jock Straps?!)
ANYTHING that my Pop cooks up for dinner. I don’t believe we’ve had a traditional Christmas meal in years…..it ROCKS!! CANDY…..CANDY……CANDY…..!!!”

What are your least favorites?
“Fruitcake…….Egg Nog, that about sums it up. There aren’t too many foods that I’ll turn my back on.”

Do you open gifts Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
“Christmas Eve at Wendy’s Folks. Christmas morning with the girls. And Christmas afternoon at Mom and Pop’s.”

Where do you spend Christmas Eve and what are the Christmas Day rituals in your home?
“We spend Christmas Eve with Wendy’s family. Usually everyone cooks something to eat. We setup Karaoke for the kids and enjoy the food and laughs that the kids provide. Christmas morning begins with the girls telling us to get up. We sit back and watch them tear open the gifts and then watch as they quickly lose interest in them! Once that is finished, we head back to bed for a couple hours of sleep.”

Do you decorate? Inside? Outside? Both?
“I believe that Wendy has inherited the Decorating gene from Aunt Rita. She does it ALL…. Inside (including Bathrooms), outside and anywhere else she can find a place to stick something.”

Are you gearing back this year due to the economy?
“Absolutely.”

What adjustments are you making?
“The girls will get to share in the pain of the “Jock Strap Christmas” this year!!!! No, really, we are just cutting back on gift giving and making sure that we all realize the TRUE meaning of the season.

MUCH LOVE to all of You!!!
David

David has a site on You Tube, and he has some videos that were taken at Kay & Mike's ... the site address is http://www.youtube.com/user/dravenlee2769. You'll see Kay dancing with Perri & Syd, Perri singing and Mike playing professional banjo!

Top Ten Things To Say About the Gifts You Don't Really Like

10. "Well, well, well now, there's a gift!"

9. "Would you just look at that! What will they think of next?!"

8. "Hey, as long as I don't have to feed it, or clean up after it, or put batteries in it, I'm happy!"

7. "No, really, I didn't know that there was a Chia Pet tie! Oh, wow! It's a clip-on too!"

6. "You know, I always wanted one of these! Jog my memory — what's it called again?"

5. "You know what? — I'm going to find a special place to put this!"

4. "Boy, you don't see craftsmanship like that every day!"

3. "And it's such an interesting color too!"

2. "You say that was the last one? Boy, am I glad that you snapped that baby up!"

And the number one thing to say about the Christmas gifts you didn't like is:

1. "You shouldn't have! I mean it, you really shouldn't have!"

Christmas Eve, 2005 - At Mom's Apartment

Bethany & Megan

L-R Kim, Mom, Clyde, Louise, Rita & Lukas

Megan, Beth & Lukas

Mike, Megan, Beth & Lukas

Tay-Tay ... that's Clyde standing behind her

Tay Tay talking to Clyde

Lukas, Mom & Bobby

Lukas & Bobby

The day after Christmas, 2004, we went to Kay & Mike's for dinner

Kay & Mike's family room ... she had it decorated beautifully and Syd & Perri thought they were in a mansion.

After we entered the house, Syd & Perri were looking at all the Christmas decorations and loving every minute of it. Kay had a smaller tree in the dining room and the girls thought that was the only Christmas tree in the house. Until they went down to the family room that is.

Perri looked around and then looked up at this huge tree ... her eyes couldn't seem to take it all in and she turned and looked at me and said "Are they rich or what? Look at this house! Look at this tree Gram!" Perri has always had a way with words and speaks what's on her heart and mind.

Mr. Mason Smith

Miss Perri playing the piano.

Shawn & Clyde .. we had a lot of music that night ... Mike, Myndi & the girls played

piano and Shawn played guitar. We have some gifted people in this family.

Dave & Shawn

Perri & her great Aunt Kay Kay

Perri & Megan

Myndi helping Syd & Perri on the piano. She's really good with kids.

Kay, Mom & Me

My Tay Tay & Me

As the youngest sister in our family, Kay has always held a special place in our lives. She's the 'baby girl' and I remember Mom & Dad bringing her home from the hospital after she was born. Mom had a difficult labor with Kay and Kay's collar bone was broken during the birthing process. She came home with a cast on her arm and up to her shoulder. I clearly remember Mom saying "Louise, I'm going to need you to help me take care of her." Not a problem! We cut her baby gowns so they would fit and we handled her with kid gloves until she was better and the cast came off. I honestly treated her like my own little doll for awhile. Then it was life as normal in the Riddle household. Define 'normal', I dare ya.

I am very grateful to have Kay as my baby sister ... she'll always be that regardless of how old we get. As Linda tells folks when she introduces me ... "This is Louise and she's my OLDER sister". Indeed, I am the oldest of eight and thankful to still be here to see my siblings and their children and their grandchildren.

We had such a good time that day and hopefully we can get together again during the Christmas holidays...maybe next year? We can plan ahead, send out invitations, fix lots of food, take pictures, play guitar and piano and just be together.

Hope you've enjoyed looking at the photos ... there's more to come and I'd enjoy adding yours to this blog. Send any you'd like added to my email address and I'll post them.

Blessings to you all ...