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The Medlin News
DECEMBER 2025
A TEXAS KID’S SNOWY WISH Dreaming of a White Christmas
Growing up in Texas, the idea of a white Christmas felt like something out of a movie. We’d get excited over a dusting of snow, maybe an inch or two, but it never lasted long. As a kid, I remember dreaming of the kind of holiday you’d see on TV, with snow-covered trees, bundled-up families, and a roaring fireplace to keep everyone warm. When I was about 13 or 14, that dream came true when my parents started a tradition of taking us to the mountains of New Mexico every year for Christmas. We’d load up the car and drive to the mountains, cut down a tree ourselves, and set it up in our cabin. For a bunch of kids raised in Texas, it was pretty magical. The snow wasn’t just something we saw in pictures anymore. We could ski, sled, and stomp around in it until our clothes were soaked through. We didn’t have real ski gear back then, so we made do with jeans covered in Scotchguard to keep the water out. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, but we didn’t care. We just liked being there. Even our Christmas presents traveled with us. We’d pack small boxes or photos of gifts to open on the trip. It was great, but that part didn’t matter so much. What really stuck with me was the cold air, the crunch of snow under my feet, and the way it all felt like being in a storybook. And skiing seemed like the greatest thing on earth. Those trips were something I looked forward to every year and still look back on as some of my best memories. Years later, I wanted to give my daughter that experience, so we started our version of the tradition. Around Christmas, just before or after, we pick a different mountain town and head there for a few days. She loves skiing and has gotten pretty good at it, and I get a kick out of seeing her enjoy it as much as I did when I was younger. We’ve been fortunate to visit some beautiful places, from Park City and Aspen to a few incredible European spots. Every location has had something special to offer.
At home, we have other Christmas traditions. We like to decorate the house and hang up lights, and there’s always a big family dinner with turkey and all the other typical Christmas food. Music’s also a big part of the season. My daughter and I are both in the choir at church, and we sing a lot of Christmas tunes during Sunday service this time of year. When we’re not at church, we often have a Christmas station playing in the background at home. It’s festive and gives us a nice break from my usual Beatles and other rock-and-roll playlists. Still, while snow, music, lights, and traditions add to the season, they’re just a backdrop. I’ve had great Christmases in wonderful places over the years, but I’ve realized that the setting matters much less than the company. It’s the people around you who truly make it feel like the holidays.
– Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Festive Fun Made Easy Traditions That Won’t Cost a Fortune
homemade ornaments from everyday supplies. Popcorn and cranberry garlands, paper chains with gratitude notes, and handmade snowflakes instantly transform your space into a festive wonderland. For extra coziness, plan a movie night complete with blankets, popcorn, and your family’s favorite holiday classics. Creative Crafts and Tasty Treats You don’t need to buy pricey kits when you can create your own fun. Build a gingerbread house from scratch, or whip up batches of cookies and let everyone go wild with frosting and sprinkles. If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, make birdseed ornaments from pinecones and peanut butter, then watch the backyard come alive with feathered guests. Outdoor Adventures Bundle up and take a nighttime drive (or stroll) to admire the best light displays in your town. It’s a free way to soak up the magic of the season
together. If you’re lucky enough to get snow, the options are endless: snowmen, forts, snow angels, or even a friendly snowball fight. And when it’s too chilly to stay outside, warm up with hot cocoa by the fire. Share the Holiday Spirit The season feels even brighter when you spread joy beyond your own home. Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a local nursing home, attend a school holiday concert, or deliver handmade cards to friends and neighbors. These simple gestures leave lasting impressions and remind everyone what the holidays are truly about. Cozy Traditions That Last For a touch of nostalgia, start a new tradition like sleeping under the Christmas tree one night, creating a DIY advent calendar, or hosting a family game night with holiday music playing in the background. These small rituals are the ones kids and adults both look forward to each year.
The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. Suddenly, the calendar is full, stores are packed, and wallets feel too light. But here’s the truth: The most memorable moments don’t come from expensive gifts or elaborate trips. We spark them from laughter, creativity, and time spent together. Whether you’re looking for cozy nights in or adventures out in the crisp winter air, here are fun, low-cost holiday activities for the whole family. Festive Fun at Home Let’s turn home into holiday central! You can wrap your front door like a giant present, or craft
Holiday Travel and Immigration Risk SHOULD YOU TAKE A TRIP THIS SEASON?
The holidays often involve travel, but for people with pending immigration cases, hitting the road or flying out of state can bring more anxiety than excitement. If you or a loved one is waiting on a green card, DACA renewal, asylum status, or any adjustment to legal status, it’s important to understand the risks of travel, even inside the United States. Let’s start with domestic travel. Technically, you can travel within the U.S. with valid identification and no specific restrictions from a judge. But domestic flights can still be risky if you’re undocumented or your pending case is complex. TSA officers sometimes notify Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if a traveler presents foreign-issued ID or lacks valid papers. This doesn’t mean you will be detained or deported, but it raises the risk of legal complications.
situations, leaving the U.S. without Advance Parole (official travel permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) automatically causes your application to be denied. Even if you’re approved to leave with Advance Parole, reentry is never guaranteed. CBP officers at the border have the final discretion on whether you’ll be allowed back in. So, should you travel at all? Generally, it’s safer to avoid travel, especially international, while waiting on a green card, asylum decision, or other benefit. The rules are strict, and the stakes are high. If you must travel, speak to an immigration attorney first. We can help you determine if travel will jeopardize your case and whether Advance Parole or other options apply to your situation. There’s no such thing as “just a quick trip” when your future in the U.S. is on the line. If you have questions about traveling while your case is pending, the team at The Medlin Law Firm is here to help.
International travel is even riskier. Leaving the country while your immigration case is pending could mean giving it up entirely. In most
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ARREST RECORDS DON’T DISAPPEAR IN TEXAS Old Charges, New Problems
A lot of people walk out of court thinking their case is behind them. The charges may have been dropped, or maybe they were found not guilty. But weeks or even years later, they still face problems, like trouble finding housing, job denials, or awkward questions after a background check. That’s when the question hits: “Wait, why is this still showing up?” In Texas, the answer is surprisingly simple… and frustrating. A criminal record doesn’t just go away with time. Unless a judge orders your record sealed or expunged, it stays public forever. That includes arrests that didn’t result in a conviction. If you were booked, fingerprinted, or formally charged, that record exists and can be accessed by employers, landlords, and licensing agencies. Convictions stay on your record permanently unless you qualify for nondisclosure, and only certain misdemeanors or first-time convictions are eligible.
Some records can be wiped through expunction. For instance, if you were arrested but never charged, you might be eligible right away. Other times, there’s a waiting period. If your case was dropped, you usually have to wait until the statute of limitations passes. That could be two years for a misdemeanor and three or more for a felony. If you finished deferred adjudication, that’s a little different. In those cases, you might qualify for a nondisclosure order, which seals the record from public view. The timeline depends on the offense. Some nondisclosures can be filed right away, while others come with a waiting period; two years is common. But certain charges, like family violence or more serious offenses, don’t qualify at all. The big takeaway? Records don’t disappear with time. A criminal history will follow you unless you take legal steps to clear it. If you’re
unsure what’s still on your record or whether you qualify for removal, talk to a Texas defense attorney. We can review your case, check eligibility, and help you take the next step. One mistake doesn’t have to follow you forever, but you need to act. Give us a call to review your options.
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
Ingredients • 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto • 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise • 1/4 cup fig preserves • 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese • 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese • 1/2 cup melted butter • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 2 chopped garlic cloves • Black pepper, to taste
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. My Favorite Christmas Memories
2. Create Holiday Magic Without Spending Big
Immigration Travel Risk You Need to Know
3. The Truth About Texas Criminal Records
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
4. Disguised Devices of WWII
Freedom in a Deck of Cards The Secret Tools of War A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point. Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the
screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture.
That meant turning everyday objects into tools.
Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box.
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