So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20

The true meaning of Christmas!  Thank you, Lord, for this gift!  The gift of JOY, HOPE, and PEACE!  The gift of a your Son in the form of a newborn baby!  The gift of a Savior to save us!  May we remember to celebrate and share this gift all year long to everyone we know.

Merry Christmas to ALL!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

It's a Johnson Family Christmas

This past Thursday, Jimmy and Roan hosted their annual Johnson Christmas party.  Since Russ's grandmother has gotten older and unable to host the family Christmases, Jimmy and Roan picked it right up!  In case you don't already know this, Russ has a HUGE family!  There are five brothers (his dad and four uncles).  They have a combined total of 14 children I think.  Add spouses and grandchildren, and you have a ginormous party!  Ha!



Jimmy and Holly





Aunt Sherry and two of her five grandchildren

Ryan and Russell



Mark and Annelise



Myra and Millie Janalee

We always enjoy this Christmas get together!  For many of us, it is the only time during the year that we are able to visit and see each other in person.  Thankfully, Jimmy loves family pictures as much as I do!  So, I can show you exactly how big of a family I'm talking about.  Now, this family picture will include Russ's aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children.  Also remember that there were a few family members missing.  We always miss those with prior obligations, sick, or out of town. 

Are you ready?


All the grandchildren in attendance (These would be Russ's grandmother's great-grandchildren!)



All the Johnsons who were able to be in attendance

Millie Janalee was the youngest and newest family member, so she was passed around quite a bit and received lots of hugs, kisses, and "You're so chill!" comments.  Ha!  She is such a social little one!  She was taking it all in...like kept those eyes open until after 10:30 when her and Granmomma started rocking in the recliner.


Elle, Millie Janalee, Grace, Julie, and Olivia

Hunter was the newest Johnson last year, and it was so fun to see these two cousins interact.  Hunter wasn't real sure what to think.  Millie Janalee probably just thought it was time for another photo shoot and began posing!  Ha!  With two little ones, you just take whatever pictures you can while no one is crying.

Hmmm...who is this little thing with a bow on her head?  A Christmas gift?



I think I like her, Mama!

All is well until the cute girl starts falling over on an unsuspecting 1 year old boy!  Ha!  Aunt Jenny may report me for taking pictures instead of helping the poor girl out.


Get your head off me!



Girls have cooties!

Once the big crowd cleared out, some of us stayed around longer to visit and celebrate a little family time.  Millie Janalee took her nighttime bottle and changed into her pajamas while everyone else enjoyed some late night visiting.


Elle, Will, Millie Janalee, and me



Mark and Warren singing some favorite hymns



Aunt Roan enjoying some long awaited one-on-one Millie Janalee time!



Will, Jimmy, and Olivia...relaxing!



Russ, Julie, and Millie Janalee



Granmomma and Millie Janalee resting

I think it was around midnight before we returned to Russ's parents' home for a good night's rest.  Some of us started our "resting" a little earlier!  Ha!

Thank you, Jimmy and Roan, for always hosting a wonderful family gathering...and keeping the family connected in such a fun way!

Coon Family Christmas

Tuesday, after our adoption finalization, my mom's side of the family celebrated Christmas together.  It was a wonderful celebration as we celebrated our little Family Day!  My cousin, Clancy, hosted everyone in her home for lunch and to exchange gifts.  This family laughs a lot!  And we play a lot!  So we spent lots of time doing what we do best before lunch. 

Susu and Millie Janalee

Uncle Howard (my mom's brother) and Millie Janalee...she loved his beard!

The men gathered in Jack's "man cave" while the ladies and Millie Janalee visited in the kitchen and helped Clancy make finishing touches for lunch.  Jack is a fireman, and he was recently nominated to appear on Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association calendar .  I'm not sure exactly what the name is.  He was featured in March, so we all spent some time admiring his picture too.


I don't think this is from the calendar, but it was on the association's page.

Daddy, Dustin, and Uncle Howard in the "man cave"

Aunt Patsy, Susu, and Millie Janalee visiting in the kitchen

After a delicious lunch of yummy finger foods, the gift-giving began!  We usually don't go too overboard.  The cousins have always exchanged gifts.  But this year...oh my!  I suppose once a new baby enters Christmas festivities, things change.  Ha!  Millie Janalee was very blessed with lots of cute clothes, a teeny tiny bracelet to match one I received, and other fun goodies.  Including even more hairbows!  I've heard it said, "The bigger the bow, the better the mommy."  Hahaha! Well, if that's true...poor "big bow Millie Janalee" has a great mommy.  Hehe!  The rest of us received some fun gifts as well.

Dustin in his new toboggan

Fun jewelry



Millie Janalee's cute new bracelet to match mine!



Millie Janalee loved her new clothes!

The rest of our afternoon at Clancy's revolved around Millie Janalee...as you can imagine!  Ha!  Clancy hasn't had a chance to play with Millie Janalee in a while, so she enjoyed lots of one on one Christmas cuddles and playtime with her!

My sweet thumb sucker!  Love it!

Clancy and Jack love their special ornament from Millie Janalee!

 OH!  The photo shoots!  There were some major photo shoots going on, and there were lots of extra hands to get our sweet girl to look at the camera and smile.  My personal favorite...Uncie Bucket!  His tap dance/Irish jig was just the ticket to get Millie Janalee's attention!  Haha!

"What in the world is Uncie Bucket doing?!"

"Aunt Clancy" showing Millie Janalee the pretty angel ornaments

"I know just how to wrap these people around my little finger!  Hehe!"

"Yep!  It's MY first Christmas!  Everyone look at me!"

Bless her heart!  Some day we will have to tell her the world doesn't revolve around her.  But not today.  Today, the world does revolve around her.  Haven't you heard?  Ha!  I am so thankful for extended family who loves our daughter just about as much as we do!  Such special memories with special people!  Thank you, Lord, for these blessings...and many more!

Clancy, Millie Janalee, and Aunt Patsy

The Coon family Christmas originated in a family home in south Jackson.  In a neighborhood that is now a little unsafe.  In a living room and kitchen decorated with the latest in 1950's decor.  With two loving adults creating memories for their family.  The Coon family Christmas originated with my Nonnie and Pops.  Things have changed as they got older, and last Christmas was certainly marked by the loss of our Nonnie.  But, our love remains the same.  We were hit suddenly with my Pops' admission into a geriatric psych hospital for a short stay to regulate his medicine at the urging of his doctor.  We were sad that our Christmas would not go as planned, but we were determined to make it work.

I dare any nurse to try to put limitations on our family Christmas as we all (all 9 of us) marched into the locked floor with gifts and bags.  The signs warned us that bags were to be taken back to the car.  Hmmm.  That didn't work for us.  Honestly, my mom had called ahead as he was admitted to be sure we could celebrate with him.  So, we were allowed in with our gifts in tow.

The gifts were nice, but not nearly as nice as the sweet new baby we brought to his room.  "Oh my goodness!" were the words spoken by my grandfather as he eyed her sweetness.  He watched her, held his hand out to touch her, and rubbed her little feet during our entire visit.  I'm not sure he knew exactly who she belonged to, but he knows he loves her.  And I love that!

So, we didn't enter his room two at a time like the rules said.  We didn't leave our bags in the car like the sign said.  We celebrated!  We celebrated LIFE...Pops' life, the life of his first great-grandchild, and the life of Christ! 

What's a Coon family Christmas without celebration!?