2015 proved to be a difficult year for our family.  There were big changes, transitions, and goodbyes. 2015 also brought incredible blessings!  God has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!  Rejoicing in ALL He has done.  Thankful for the experiences, people and things He put in our path this past year.

"I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad."

Tonight, our hearts ache and we wipe the tears as they continue to fall. Our dear Maw Maw was called Home this afternoon. I know she RAN all the way in! Greeted by my Pawpaw (and probably Russ's dad too) and falling right into the arms of Jesus. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and I find it only appropriate that this year she's just in time to spend her first Christmas in Heaven. It hurts bad. But He is faithful. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of her life and her love!

December 6, 2015 the Lord called Maw Maw home, and that was my Facebook post that evening.  As unexpected as it seemed, I know her earthly body was worn.  She fought hard and long for her independence and the energy of her younger years. She had recently moved into an assisted living facility.  Until that point, she had been living alone.  It just made sense for her to have help with life.  The day after her move, she landed herself in the hospital with pneumonia.  She was sent back to assisted living and shortly after broke both her legs.  She had some struggles and complications here and there, but was otherwise very aware of her surroundings and her condition.  Russ and I visited with her on Saturday and watched the end of a football game while talking.  It was a fairly normal visit.  I was able to rub lotion on her dry arms and hands as we talked about Millie Janalee and Smith.  Then we left and said, "Love you!  See ya later."

The next day, she simply didn't take her next breath.  Peaceful.  And gone from this chaotic world.  Running with able body and spirit!  I rejoice for her.  Oh, but how I mourn our loss.  To laugh and watch her get her tickle box turned over at Christmas dinner one more time - I would give anything.  But I know she wouldn't wish to be back here.

When we were preparing to move Maw Maw out of her apartment and into assisted living, she shared lots of plans with us.  Including funeral plans.  She was very specific on some things.  I often reminded her that she was just moving locations.  She wasn't going far.  But on that list it read, "And I want Megan to read a poem because no one else will do it."  Ha!  And then below that it read, "Russ can do it if Megan won't."  We gave her a hard time that day about the poem reading.  As we always did joke and mess with her.  And she took it and stood firm with her wishes - as she usually did.  Daddy texted me on Monday to let me know that there was no poem to be found.  Maw Maw didn't leave a specific poem.  He told me I could just read scripture if I wanted.  And I said, "No way!  She told me she wanted me to read a poem and she was very clear."  So I set out to find a poem.

Growing up our family did Christmas BIG.  We still do.  Maw Maw and I have lots of things in common, and our love for this time of year and gift giving is one of them.  She always gave the best gifts!  We have even done our Christmas shopping together on QVC several times.  Ha!  I will miss her this Christmas more than she could have ever known.  But at the same time I rejoice with her as she celebrates her favorite time of year in Heaven.

Christmas in Heaven 

by Wanda Bunco 

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting in the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do
For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

There will be an empty seat at our table this Christmas.  An empty chair in the living room when we open gifts.  We probably won't laugh as much since some of our laughter centered around Maw Maw's tickle box or something else she may have done or said.  But we will have joy.  The joy of knowing that this earth is not our home.  We are going to meet her, and what a reunion that will be!

It's a different kind of Christmas this year.  We will miss seeing Russ's dad in his recliner grinning that big smile as we open gifts and enjoy each other.  And we will miss Maw Maw.  We will miss her presence.  My heart aches just typing this post.  Sometimes life is just too much.  Thank you, Lord, that your mercies are new every morning!

There will be joy on the faces at Christmas and laughter all around.  It's just a different kind of Christmas this year.

I Am Thankful, Yes Sirree!

The week before Thanksgiving, Millie Janalee's little preschool put on a Thanksgiving program one night.  It is a big event.  I had been told how difficult it is to get a good seat unless you camp out.  Grandparents and relatives of each student were invited, and of course all the relatives love to see a 2, 3, 4, or 5 year old stand on stage and perform.  My parents were in Disney World with my sister and her family, and Russ was working in Starkville that day.  So it was all up to me.  Step one...find a babysitter for Smith!  There's no way he would be able to go early enough for a seat...plus I needed hands for my cameras since I wasn't sure when Russ would be able to fly in.

So, I found a sweet sitter to play with Smith for the night.  And Millie Janalee and I headed out for her preschool a little before 5:00.  The program was a 6:00.  I've watched my mom all these years.  Finding the best seats is her specialty, and she doesn't care how early she has to arrive.  Ha!  We made it to the school along with all the other overachievers and managed to find great seats!

Millie Janalee was so excited!  She asked before the program, "Where's Pawpaw? Is Pawpaw coming to my school?" I nearly cried.  Y'all know our family doesn't miss anything.  Ever.  So of course, we Facetimed Pawpaw and Susu in Disney World.  Ha!  That seemed to satisfy her.

As the program started, the children walked down the aisle to take their place on stage.  This was probably my favorite part.  There was a huge gap in the line, and I couldn't figure out what had happened.  Ummmm...it was Millie Janalee.  She looked lost.  She was looking around at every single person she passed and walking sooo slow.  Then when she found us - priceless!  I love that girl!

Each age group sang two songs, and all the students 2-5 sang one song at the beginning and at the end.  They did such a great job!  Although I really couldn't take my eyes off the little pilgrims.

She was sitting next to two of her favorite little friends, and we just giggled as we watched them show each other where their parents were.  Millie Janalee was such a nosey little pilgrim.  She pretty much turned around watching the other children perform most of the time she wasn't singing.  Her teacher had to pull her down to her step and turn her around several times.

This picture cracks me up!  Oh, to be a fly on the wall in their little classroom.  We can't figure out what in the world is happening in this picture, but I'm thinking it's right before the little boy next to Millie Janalee elbowed her to the ground.  Hahaha!  I can't blame him.  Millie Janalee was elbowing him first!  What precious little ones!  I can't wait to watch them all grow together.

We were so thankful for the family members who were able to make it to see our little pilgrim in her first school program.  Roan and Leah stopped by between two other engagements.  They were able to see Millie Janalee's class perform before stepping out.  It was so thoughtful of them to take time out of their day to celebrate with us.

And, of course, Elle didn't miss it either!  Grace rode with Elle, and Millie Janalee was so excited to see them.  She actually shouted, "Hey Elle!" from the stage.  I think she actually said, "Hey Grace!" too.  Ha!

I am so thankful for our sweet preschool.  The teachers, assistants, and all the other staff members have been SUCH a blessing to me as a new preschool mom.  And they just LOVE on Millie Janalee like nothing I could have imagined!  They all know her name, and they greet her with such enthusiasm.  God had his hand in this - I have no doubt.  He worked out the details all along the way as we prepared for this transition.

Thankful.  We are thankful, yes sirree!