Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas, Revisited

It’s late Christmas night.


ThatManILove and our sons are at here at home. All is well with my world. Zack and Zanna the Wonderdogs are asleep on their pillows at my feet. Thanks so much for all your love, comments and support. I know full well y’all helped me on a daily basis - and I appreciate each and every one of you.


ThatManILove finally arrived at 6 p.m. last night, after all sorts of weather delays. Younger Son and I went to the airport to pick him up. I stayed outside with the vehicle, and Younger Son went in to meet his dad at baggage claim. They hadn’t seen each other in almost 5 months. It was a sweet, sweet reunion - both came out the door with huge smiles on their faces.


Elder Son arrived around 8 p.m.. He was in the house about 3 minutes before all the guitars came out (shout out to Tricia - you would have loved it!). Mom-in-Love and her husband came and joined us for supper and presents.


We have a tradition we share with our sons. Every Christmas, we give them each hand made knives. This year, we introduced them to another knife-maker’s wares - Tippy Knives, made by Jason Tippy from Monahans, Texas. Jason is a youth pastor, and makes the most wonderful knives. Early in 2008 we asked him to make knives for our sons. He not only did so, he numbered them 1 & 2, and we get to name the series. This will happen every year. A new tradition within a tradition! The boys flipped a coin to determine who would get gift #1, then opened the respective gifts. They flipped out. Next year, whoever got #1 will get #2, and vice versa. After the knives were admired and shown around the room, it was time for the other gifts. Our sons were surprised last year by tickets to the James Taylor concert in Lenox, Massachusetts.



This year? I’ll let the pictures do the talking. (When Mamarazzi's around with her camera, they always think they have to make faces.)





Yup. New Mac Books. Oh, yeah...and Booth? Now you can talk to Elder Son about his gifts! Love ya, man!


We’ve had a great time, late breakfast this morning, spaghetti tonight, and now we’re heading to the movies.


Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

43 comments:

♥ Braja said...

I'm not sure if I should comment when all those knives are around....

Glad you had a nice reunion with TMYL....

That Janie Girl said...

Girl.

They're friendly knives!

;)

Rae said...

Merry Christmas Janie! I tried to send you through a Christmas email but I haven't got your latest email address (maybe you gave it to me and I forgot to change it who knows).

Pam said...

Wonderful. Good talking to you yesterday. Love to you all.

That Janie Girl said...

Merry Christmas, Library Girl! I'll send you another e-mail, I have yours!

Pam, y'all too! Happy Holidays!

Akum said...

With all those knoves even me am not commenting anything bad....LOl,,, JUst kidding. The knife looks so cool. Am also a big fan of knives.

Ash said...

All your loves sleeping under one roof. Does it get any better?

Merry Christmas Janie!!

Anonymous said...

First time here, returning YOUR visit. I read down your posts so I'd understand more concerning hubby getting home. Isn't the "moment" unbelievably splendiferous!!!

La Belette Rouge said...

I am so happy that you were all together. Hooray for you, Janie! Now get off the internets and go be with your men.;-)

Lone Chatelaine said...

Hey I got some knives too! Mine are of the Paula Dean brand of kitchen knives, though ;-)

Cool tradition you've got with the boys there, Janie. I like that idea a lot.

That Janie Girl said...

Travel Writer - go check out his website - he's amazing!

Eudea-Mamia - it is amazing. Now if they would just wake up!

Dana - thanks for coming by and taking the time to read up a bit! And yes, it is splendiferous!

Belette - it is 9:45 am here, and all men - and dogs - are still snoozing! I wish they were up!

That Janie Girl said...

Chatelaine - hey, girlfriend! Good to hear from you. Yeah, the knife thing is a cool one, and one they definitely love.

Jenni said...

Merry Christmas! Cool knives!

Everyday Goddess said...

So glad you and the boys are having fun!
Might want to check out Heinous. He has a son/knife story.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

thanks for the follow...new to your blog and you are my kind of lady!! Christmas tradition? Knives? I LOVE IT!! We are city folk attempting the country living thing and my boys would love this every year.

That Janie Girl said...

Jenni - welcome, thanks for dropping by! And Merry Christmas to you!

Comedy Goddess - thanks for the tip - I read it this morning! Merry Christmas!

Jen - we are SO country. You might want to take note...or, not. ;)

Unknown said...

Love the name Mom in Love.

That Janie Girl said...

MegRyansMom - she's my second mom!

Unknown said...

It's great to hear you had such a wonderful Christmas :)

That Janie Girl said...

We had a great one! Thanks for dropping by.

Jackie said...

Sweet reunions! I love them and am so glad all of you were together for Christmas!!

Thanks for being such a good blogger friend to me! I have faith...someday we'll say "howdy" in person!!

Vodka Mom said...

Merry, merry CHristmas!!!

Glad everyone arrived safely....

a toast to you *clink*

Anonymous said...

There's some real beauty in that knife. Had to tinker with that url at your link, but it was worth it. Tippy has some great looking knives.

Maybe you actually use them, but if I owned one I would keep it locked in a safe!

Merry Christmas!

That Janie Girl said...

In_spired - right back at ya, sweetie!

VodkaMom - we've had a blast! Hope your Christmas was good. "clink" right back at ya!

George - these knives will definitely be locked up, after they're through showing them to their friends!

That Janie Girl said...

George - thanks for letting me know about the link - it's fixed now. I was posting from a Mac and I don't quite have it all down yet!

Yeti said...

Hope you and everyone is having a wonderful holiday!!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Everyone is home! Like a good mama hen..you gathered them to the nest! Then gave them Knives! LOL..just kidding, those knives are beautiful, I checked out the website, that young man is an extremely talented craftsman! Merry Christmas! :)

Dana and Daisy said...

I LOVE my macbook!
Hey, I wanted to just encourage all my workout buddies to stay positive through these tempting days in the season. We are going to be a healthier group in 2009! Yippee!

Love, Dana

That Janie Girl said...

Yeti - we are having a good time, thanks so much! Hope your holiday is going amazingly!


FarSideofFifty - Jason is amazing - and these knives are more detailed than anything he has on his site thus far. My pictures don't do them, or him, justice!

That Janie Girl said...

Dana - thanks for the encouragement! Now. Can you tell me how this MacBook works? It's making me crazy!

Pseudo said...

First time here. Those knives were pretty impressive. Very nice reunion story.

That Janie Girl said...

Pseudonymous - thanks for stopping by. The knives are gorgeous, I just wish my pix showed more detail!

Simplicity said...

Oh man! I want a Macbook! I guess I'd better start saving my pennies (HA!)!!

What a fabulous, thoughtful gift with the knives.

Sounds like a great time was had by all!!! Yay!

i beati said...

nice to be appreciated and to take stock and not just rush through - Blessing in 2009 !!!!

Foo said...

I'm running behind, but wanted to pass along Turtle's and my best wishes. Sounds like you guys had a great family Christmas!

Anonymous said...

My dad makes some of the most beautiful knives. The ones shown are great!

Amy W said...

Janie-- I'm so happy you all could be together for Christmas!! ....With Knives and Mac Books!!! I gotta say, that knife was gorgeous, my husband would totally dig one. And your sons are super-lucky guys to get those awesome computers. What did Miss Janie get, I wonder?

Michelle said...

New Mac Books!!!

Can you be my new mommy please???

I am so glad you got to spend Christmas with your entire family!!

That rocks my friend!!! Love ya!!!

scotte said...

Hey , I still have not heard from #1. YOU? Let me know.

Tiffany said...

You know you could always adopt me and give me a new laptop. I'm just saying. LOL

That Janie Girl said...

Y'all - thanks so much for your comments! ThatManILove and I just arrived in the PA, and we'll be heading home soon. I'll catch up on commenting!!


XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Christina said...

I'm so happy that the he was able to make it home. I was praying that would not be the case. I hope you had a nice drive home. Happy Anniversary BTW!

Anonymous said...

I wish you were my mom. Those are sweet Christmas gifts.