Good family life is never an accident but always an achievement by those who share it.

A nice quote by James H. Bossard. I figured a quote about family for the title was appropriate, since this entire post became about family. Before I go on...

WARNING: This will be long.

Now that that's out of the way...it's been a while since I last updated, so I figured it was about time.

These past couple of weeks have been great...I love being home, spending time with friends and family that I don't get to see in Jacksonville. Last Saturday, I had a Christmas party with a bunch of friends from high school, and I had so much fun catching up with them. I'm hoping that it will always be a Christmas tradition here in Apopka. I took a lot of pictures, but left my camera cord at home, so it'll be another week or so before I can get some pictures up.

Granddaddy came down Sunday and just left this morning. I love having him here and being able to sit and talk with him about anything and everything. He just left this morning, and while I wish he could stay longer, I know he likes being home. But who doesn't?

Christmas Eve was quiet...after dinner at my house, Ross and I went to his house for Part 2 of Christmas-Eve-Dinner and present opening at his house. His mom's side of the family was all there, and it was nice to see them all. I love being home because I love getting to spend time with my family AND Ross' family...well, I guess I should say my extended family! They always make me feel at home and a part of the family...just one of the reasons I love them!

Christmas, of course, was the highlight of the week. Not because of the presents or the food (although those were both awesome!), but because of the time I got to spend with my family and with Ross' family. Late Christmas morning, Aunt Phyl, Uncle Clyde, and Kathleen came, and then a little later, Melissa, Brittany, Jason, Uncle George, Aunt Marsha, and Grammie came over. This time of year always makes me remember how important family is, and no matter how much I fight with my sister and disagree with my parents (which is actually very rare now that I'm older), they're still my family and I can't imagine my life without them. Friends may come and go, but family is forever. (And as I say this, I'd like to also say how lucky and thankful I am that I have friends that ARE my family...I<3 you guys!)

Christmas night, Ross and I went to his Grandma's house for dinner and presents with his dad's side of the family. That's the side that is really big...present opening took practically two hours (of course, they DO open presents one at a time, one person at a time.) I'm sure it didn't help that in the the middle of the festivities, the boys on one side of the room and the girls on the other got into a paper-ball fight...I think the girls won :-D

Uncle Clyde, Aunt Phyl, and Kathleen spent the night on Christmas, and then the next morning we woke up and did some shopping. It was about that time that I began to feel pretty weak and sick...and then the past day or so I've spent in bed, drinking cold syrup and crocheting my tail off. I love being able to take something my Grammie taught me and use it.

Having three generations in one house made me realize how precious time spent with family is. It was also interesting to watch everyone and know that no matter how many years go by, Granddaddy with always be my mom and Aunt Phyl's dad, just like my mom and Aunt Phyl will always be moms. Granddaddy would sit and give my mom advice, who would turn around and give me advice. No matter how old you get, you're never too old to listen to someone older. I love spending with people like my grandfather, my aunt and uncle, and my parents, because they treat me like the adult I am (or am becoming), and at the same time, will not hesitate to give me advice on areas they have already encountered and on lessons they have already learned. While I may not always take what they give me (because we all have to learn lessons the hard way once in a while), I will always appreciate their words of wisdom....no matter how outdated it may be :-]

Saturday...which I guess is tomorrow...Aunt Phyl and Uncle Clyde are attending the funeral of a close family friend. After that, they're coming here for a couple of days, which I'm really happy about. I know they'll be in need of some comfort, and they're in luck because we have a whole lot of that around here. I love spending time with them, and I hope that Ross and I will get to spend more time with them in St. Augustine this next semester..

To sort of conclude this long post, I'd like to say one more thing about family, going back to what I said about the Hobson family and how hospitable they are. Not long after Ross and I started dating, when it was clear how we felt for each other and when we saw our future together, we were each welcomed into the others' family. We each gained another mom and dad, another family, and we both realized how important it was and always will be that we make time for each family. The holidays always remind me of this, of how important it is to spend time with everyone. Because this season is not about presents, it's about family and friends. It's about looking past differences, getting over little problems, and spending time with the people you love.

So I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and, if I don't talk to you before then, a Happy New Year!