One of the best memories for December is that we were able to have so many of our family at our home for Christmas. For those of you who have grown children, you understand that this is a MAJOR accomplishment, as they all have their individual lives and their time is divided among so many others.
December started out with a WONDERFUL trip to Arlington, where I was an MC for the “Arlington Parade of Lights”. The city of Arlington is a beautiful city and the people rank up there with Texas BEST. I had a great time and met two little girls named Emily and Olivia that will be honored as Texas Princesses at the 2006 Mrs. Texas United States Pageant in April. I have found several little girls throughout Texas that have committed to good grades and community service and I want them to understand that the TRUE mark of a Queen or Princess is LEADERSHIP and DISCIPLINE in serving their community. Anyone can wear a crown… but it takes a lot more to represent it.
For the past several months I have been working with Spaulding for Children, a non-profit, private adoption agency, in their efforts to recruit and fund adoptions in Texas. As a Chairman for the “Fall In Love Again” campaign, I am working tirelessly on the Gala to be held in May with an elaborate auction. The goal is to raise $300,000 during this campaign. The official campaign kick-off was hosted and underwritten by Houston’s prominent and gracious Gracely family. The Gracely Mansion was beautifully decorated for the holidays and an exhibit of photographs of Texas children eligible for adoption made the point of the campaign in the spirit of Christmas.
Other excitement included taking my young gymnasts to their State Championship in Dallas where my two teams placed 1st and 2nd. Oh… did I tell you that 5 of our children, our grandbaby, my Mom and one of my brother’s all spent Christmas day at our home?! In addition we were able to see a couple of our now grown foster children and their families too. We all had such a good time making fools of ourselves singing Karaoke as if we were Grammy winners.
As I face 2006 I wish all my friends and family my sincerest best wishes for each of you to have the best year of your lives, as well as say THANK YOU for being a part of mine.
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