Megan's Christmas Stocking

Last year around this time Andy asked if he could have the stocking I had made for him when he was born. I didn't realize how sad it would make me feel to give up his stocking. All four of our stockings were hand made by me, and they have hung on our fireplace each Christmas. As Megan and Andy did not spend last Christmas with us, I was able to ignore the stocking request. I have had a year to get over the whole incident and realize that he should be able to have the stocking I made him. After all, I let him take all the ornaments I and others had made him home last Thanksgiving. I was actually thinking that I could make him and Megan matching stockings, as Megan doesn't have one that she is particularly found of. When I made that suggestion, Andy was adamant that he wanted HIS stocking, not a new one. He suggested I make Megan one to match his. Busted!

Megan is very religious, so I set out to find a stocking that would reflect her beliefs. Do you know how hard it is to find a stocking kit that has a religious theme? I finally found one by Bucilla, which is the brand that I had used for all of the other stockings. After running a picture of the stocking kit by Megan, I ended up ordering it from Amazon as I couldn't find it locally. I have been working on it like crazy, and had no idea the number of tiny pieces this kit contains. Andy's Santa will look pretty plain next to Megan's procession. Next he'll want a new one because he'll think hers is nicer! I just hope I have allotted enough time that I'll have it completed when they arrive on December 24th.

Our European Vacation

We recently completed our vacation to Berlin and Prague with Andy and Megan. This was the first time we have all traveled together since they have been married. Mark Twain once said, "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." I guess we all like each other, because we had a fabulous time. We spent 2 and a half days in Berlin, one day traveling by train to Prague, and then 2 days in that city. Berlin was interesting with its melding of old and new architecture. So much was bombed during WWII, but they have obviously made a concerted effort to complement the buildings that remain and not compete with them. Prague on the other hand has been virtually untouched by war or natural disaster. It is a fascinating city, and it was like walking through a fairytale picture book. The best part of all was getting to spend a week with the kids, since we barely get to see them as they live so far away. Andy is already planning next year's trip!

Wolterman European Vacation

Andy and Megan invited us to go to Germany with them this fall. Megan studied German through high school and college, and would like to visit the country and utilize all her hard work before much more time passes. We were very honored that they want us to go with them. The first hurdle was coordinating four schedules. From our perspective we had to work around getting Katie settled in college, business meetings for Jim, a scheduled fall party for SWT Design and parent's weekend at Katie's school. Looking at the weather in Germany, we knew we wouldn't want to travel there any time after October. We finally settled on the first week of October. Andy and Megan took the bull by the horns and met with a travel agent to determine an itinerary. With their newness in the work force, they can only afford to take off one week. They settled upon three days in Berlin followed by a train ride to Prague for the remaining days.

This threw the ball back in our court where, I admit, it languished for a while. I don't rush into travel plans on a good day, and especially not when it involves this kind of travel. It drives everyone else nuts, but hey... In the meantime, Andy and Megan went ahead and booked their trip because ticket prices were creeping back up. That bought me some more time to research the area and motels we would be staying in.

With my interest in genealogy, I was hoping to be able to see some of the areas our families came from. As it turns out not one branch of the very large tree came from that part of Germany. Not even a tiny twig! We talked about flying over early and going to a different part of Germany first, but as it ends up the families were from here, there and everywhere in Germany. (Everywhere except Berlin and south, of course!) So, I came to the conclusion that genealogy would not be part of this trip, but instead I will look into going with the St. Louis Genealogical Society next spring when they do a research trip. Probably a much better plan.

I have since booked our flights using frequent flyer miles, which is awesome. I was even able to get us on the same flight from London to Berlin and from Prague to London as the kids. Andy booked our rooms through his travel agent. Now I can obsess over what to see while we are there!

Quote of the Day

"As well as I can I'm untying the apron strings--until they scream for help."
- Walt Disney

One Year Later...

Sunday was Andy and Megan's first wedding anniversary. It is so hard to believe that a year has passed since the whirlwind of activities surrounding the wedding. Of course, we had the whirlwind of Katie's high school graduation this year, so that kept me from reminiscing too much. God knows had the graduation and wedding taken place the same spring, I would have been medicated by now. As would Megan's mom, as Megan's youngest brother graduated the very same night as Katie.

So the kids had their first taste of being split up for a family celebration, and they didn't like it too much. Neither did the parents, but what are you going to do? Marriage is all about compromise. They drove the eleven hours to Huntingburg, where Andy dropped off Megan and caught a quick break before resuming the drive to St. Louis. We missed Megan, but are hoping to vacation with the two of them later this year.

A Special Birthday Card

Megan's birthday is in December, and I have sent her birthday cards in the past. This year was special. This year for the very first time I went shopping for a birthday card for my "daughter-in-law". It was another one of those moments when the reality that your son is married hits home. It was fun looking through the cards for the one that expressed the right sentiment. Some of the cards were way too mushy, some were too blaise. I finally found one that sounded more like I had written it myself, telling her how important she has become in our lives. Since I was on a roll, I decided to find a Christmas one for my "son and daughter-in-law". Since it is their first Christmas as husband and wife, I wanted to send them a card that wasn't so generic. Finding this card was not as easy. The stores seemed to only carry one or two choices in this particular category. But I finally found one that worked for me and sent it off to them last week. They get here today from Indiana, so we will have a few days with them to celebrate Christmas before they head back on their long journey home to Maryland. I can't wait to see them!

The Christmas Stocking

In thinking about what to write for my monthly writers group, I realized I had a little more to say about Andy and his request to take his Christmas stocking.

The Christmas Stocking

You asked me for your stocking
How was I to know
That such a simple question
Would cause the tears to flow.

For twenty-three years now
It has hung in a certain way
Made for you by me
For your first Christmas Day.

First there were two stockings
And with you came one more
When your sister was born
We hung up the hand made four.

Four brass stocking holders
With stockings waiting for St. Nick
Each year you raced downstairs
Your favorites you would pick.

Where did all those years go?
The time does quickly fly
We just can't stop its passing
No matter how hard we try.

Now you want your stocking
To hang in your new home
I guess I'll have to let it go
Now that you are grown.

But I just can't help thinking
How strange it is going to be
To look at this year's mantle
And see the stockings - only three.