Christmas pictures

I took very few pictures this year. I made a conscious effort to just enjoy the moments and not stress about the lighting and the camera shake like I usually do. I played around with some fun photos in the days leading up to Christmas. However, once the kids came over on Christmas Eve, the camera went on auto, the flash got popped up and I just took some pictures  and handed the camera off so I could have pictures of me, too. I hope your holiday was as wonderful as mine was.

Joe graduates and a story

Congratulation to my son-in-law, Joe on his graduation from college. It took him a while to get serious. He joined the navy out of high school and then  after getting out halfheartedly went to school some and worked some until he and Karen reconnected a few years ago. I remember a conversation he and I had one day while we were in the waiting room during Karen's gall bladder surgery. He mentioned that he was not crazy about the job he had at that time but he took it because he loved my daughter and wanted to take care of her and Seth. He was interested in science and wanted to finish his degree, then go to graduate school and make something of himself. He had my heart at that moment. Here we are a few years later and he has his bachelor's. I'm so proud of him. He has worked full time, gone to school full time, loved Seth like he is his own and now has Stella, too. Good job, Joe. We love you.

I sat next to Joe's grandmother, Lee at dinner afterward. She was telling me how much she enjoys Seth and what a smart boy she thinks he is. She told me a story about him that did not surprise me one bit.

Shortly before Stella was born, Lee's husband, Ken was taken ill and died. Before he died, though, he was in intensive care for several days with his family keeping vigil at the hospital. Seth wasn't allowed to go into Ken's room because he was too young and that upset him a great deal. When Ken heard that Seth was upset, he sent word out to the waiting room to tell Seth that the next time he came to their house, he could play the piano for 10 minutes. Apparently, Lee and Ken had a 5 minute rule on grandchildren playing on the piano when they visit as most of them just bang on it. Lee said that, sure enough, the next time Seth came to visit, he reminded her that Grandpa Ken had said he could have 10 minutes on the piano. She also told me that Seth is unlike the children before him in that he will press the keys and actually listen to each note before he goes to the next one and can put some notes together well. She thinks he has some musical talent. I hope he pursues that. I loved listening to the music in the house when Karen was singing and Allison was playing her flute. Miss that.

The Christmas letter

I did not make Christmas cards this year. I bought them. Of course, they still aren't mailed. I did not put together a photo collage of my family's year. I even considered not writing the annual Christmas letter as our year was pretty ordinary. No, I am not being a scrooge, I have just been really busy. Work has been nuts. I get home and I am tired. There have not even been many home cooked dinners, just lots of Subway sandwiches, pizza and the occasional grilled cheese sandwich. My favorite meal is definitely the one we eat somewhere other than our house. However, I did sit down yesterday and wrote this short note which I will enclose with the store bought Christmas cards that might get mailed tomorrow. haha I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season.

Dear family and friends,

I’ve procrastinated writing my annual Christmas letter because there simply isn’t much to tell. Life is crazy busy but actually kind of quiet. Curtis and I go to work each day. We come home and relax. We go to bed and then, we start over again the next day. Sometimes, I look back at those days when both girls were younger and we had sports and school and extra curricular activities to fit into each day and wonder how in the world I lived through it. I like our life. We’ve settled into our routine and are enjoying the quiet. We are very blessed to have just celebrated our 33^rd wedding anniversary. Of course, we look forward to seeing the girls at every opportunity. I talk to them on the phone several times a week and we still do fun things as a family. They are both happy and doing well.

Although she is currently looking for a job, Karen is a stay at home mom. She and Joe bought their first home this summer. They are slowly furnishing and decorating it. Seth is seven and in the first grade. He is smart, enjoys baseball and being a big brother. He has the cutest dimples and such a great smile. Curtis and I thoroughly enjoy every minute we spend with him. He says the funniest things. Stella just turned one this month and has started walking. She is a blonde haired, blue eyed cherub and we are all smitten with her.

Allison is teaching physics and Aquatic Science at Colleyville Heritage High School. She is very excited to have won a large educational grant that she plans to use for building a pond on the CHHS campus. The check presentation was especially fun as they surprised her by coming to her classroom with the marching band’s drum line leading them down the hall. She is also the adult sponsor of the teen leadership group at our church of which she was once a member and is teaching confirmation classes. For the last two years, she has seeing a very nice young man, Ryan Martin, a fellow Longhorn she met when they were both Biology majors at UT. He has become very much a part of our family, too.

Curtis and I hope the next year brings you all the joy and blessings you deserve.

With all our love,

Curtis and Detta Owens

Stella turns One

It is hard to believe but little Stella is a year old. We celebrated with a party at her house. She wasn't too interested in the cake but did like her presents and was really interested in the Christmas tree. She is walking pretty well and I loved watching her. Here, of course, are a few pictures.