Fear, Frustration and Discouragement

FEAR is something I don't enjoy, so when something is scary, I stay away from it. I don't watch scary movies, I don't like to be in dark rooms by myself late at night...you get the picture.

Well, this blog has seemed sort of 'scary' to me. So I haven't done anything with it since Kim Walker first helped me start it. I think I was afraid I couldn't - shouldn't - wouldn't do something "write"...ha.

Then there is the FRUSTRATION factor as well. I typed out Richard's and my experience of going to Boston, MA. (hence - the minute man statue at the top...still haven't figured out how I did that!) Anyway, when I had finished, I went to check it. There was something I needed to change and when I clicked on to change it, I lost it all! It was completely gone!

This is when DISCOURAGEMENT took over. I felt I couldn't waist that much time for nothing.

So for all the reasons above (and more!), I stopped caring about my blog!

For some reason, today I decided to face my FEAR and try again. I have to say, it is coming along quite nicely and I may even venture to doing this more often.

I have learned an important lesson by writing on my blog...that sometimes we stunt our own growth by not wanting to face our fears because frustration and discouragement may be involved...but when we do, it can be so rewarding and much more enjoyable.

(After writing this out, I somehow stumbled upon my original post about Boston! It had been saved in an area I didn't know existed! I couldn't believe it! I felt so happy. Now you can read about our trip! And, I also figured out how to move the Minute Man statue to the blog it is supposed to be with! Blogging isn't so scarey after all!)

I'd like to share a few 'Thoughts for the Day':

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.-- Unknown.

Never fear shadows... they simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.-- Unknown.

Who bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall.-- Tobias G. Smollett.

Our Fun Christmas Eve Program

Sometimes Christmas Eve can be a bit of a challenge for a large family with so many things

to plan, bake, make, wrap and etc. But this year Ami wanted to take over the responsiblity of planning it so I wouldn't have too much to do after the wedding was over. I gratefully said, "That would be Wonderful!"

Ami's enthusiasm was contagious! She even sent all the family e-vites. She gave everyone responsibilities and assignments for the evening in plenty of time to prepare for it, plus gentle reminders so no one could forget! hee hee. She decided to stick with our traditional Christmas Eve Mexican theme as we have been doing for longer than I care to admit... because of that I was asked to make my famous Chicken Enchiladas, salsa and rice. Everyone was given a part in the program, mine was to sit and enjoy it - which I loved. Then on top of that, everyone was supposed to bring a nice gift for the White Elephant gift exchange marked 'girl' or 'boy' gift. We also had to narrow it down to 'little girl' gift for Kathryn, 7, and Angela, 10, who basically did a gift exchange with each other! The two grandsons were able to open gifts from grandma and grandpa...

Amanda bought all us gals Christmas bell earrings and the little girls wore bell necklaces.

Rachel and Dan made a delicious dip with chips...YUM!

The guys helped with some of the food preparation and moved around the furniture to make room for an extra table brought in from the garage...Amanzingly there was a seat for everyone!

Ami and Amanda had made these really festive tissue Mexican flowers in the traditional green, red and white colors...for our placesettings. They also brought with them some table decorations as well.

Ami made some beautiful programs. See photo above...

We loved having Jim, Louise and David Amrine come this year to join in our family celebration.

I have to say that it was one of our best Waldron family moments. The food, the friends, the family combined with the program and the gift giving turned out to be a very special evening for all of us!

These are the kind of moments that make having a large family so worth it and fun!

Quote for the Day:
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other”