WEEK-END HAPPENINGS

Happy Saturday to all of you! Hope everyone is enjoying their nice long week-end. I know I am. Thanksgiving was SUCH a nice time. It took a little longer than I thought to set up our table as we ended up having to move furniture to accommodate our big dining room table in the new house, but that’s OK. I am thankful that it DID fit, and that the new house has a formal dining room to begin with, even if it is smaller, lol .

The turkey was yummy and the potatoes weren’t lumpy, (I cheated this year and made instant garlic potatoes (yum, yum, yum) instead of peeling a bijillion potatoes ~ Mel wasn’t here and that is her job, haha) the gravy was smooth (from a jar, soo about easy this year) the stuffing was sooo yummy (so I ate too much of it ~ can we say heartburn) and the pumpkin pie was perfect, in spite of the fact that I dumped pumpkin pie filling EVERYWHERE when I was making it as I filled the pies too full and then the cookie sheet I always put them on to bake didn’t fit in my new oven right…sigh…But I have to tell you about our BIG event…Right after we had read praise scriptures which I put inside the name tags, (even little Blake did very well with this) and we held hands and thanked the Lord for all of His wonderful blessings, we sat down, passed the food and filled our plates and had just begun to enjoy our dinners when suddenly our smoke detecter went off. Now you have to know that Jeff had just installed one the week before after he realized the new house did not have one. Looking around and of course not seeing a fire anywhere ( and we had not noticed ANY smoke) we figured maybe the oven had been smoking from spilled juice or something (though nothing had spilled that I had recalled) my husband got up and went around the corner of the dining room and quickly exclaimed, “WOW…OH my goodness!” so my brother-in-law quickly followed him into the kitchen and from their cries I knew something major was happening, so I of course flew to the kitchen as well to see the last of the flames being put out!! I could hardly believe it….a FULL BLOWN FIRE. I had a small scented candle I had placed on the counter and somehow in the carving of the turkey and the final preparations it had gotten pushed too close to a flower arrangement and it eventually caught on fire. This in turn ignited the counter and wall, a section of the curtains and our new blinds on the window! It was all a pretty small area, but still! We quickly opened the windows and then believe it or not simply set down and finished our dinner…I am sooo thankful that it wasn’t any worse than it was. It could have been really bad…I am soo thankful my hubby had just installed that smoke detecter…and I am soo thankful no one was hurt in the putting out of the fire or that the smoke really didn’t get very bad at all, I am soo thankful that really the damage was VERY manageable in that we are talking some new blinds, new curtains, and a little patch on the wall (that for now can be hidden by another flower arrangement) that we can sand and re-paint after Christmas. Now the counter has a couple of small spots too (also hidden by the new arrangement)….but truthfully I have been wanting to replace this counter with some granite anyway. We had granite at our old house for the last 7 years and I had soo loved it. (it wouldn’t have burned like this). We did soo much with this house when we moved in that we had decided to leave the counter for a couple of years or so ~ but now we might have to speed that up a little….All in all just another reason to thank Him, and an important lesson learned….I will blow out ALL candles in the kitchen (if I even light them again EVER) BEFORE anything else is placed on the counter. The rest of our day went pretty smooth after that, haha. We enjoyed wonderful conversation, gifted my step dad on his 86th birthday, and everyone eventually signed our new Thanksgiving tablecloth that was the new tradition we started this year. I heard about this idea from a wonderful blog that I read, and it was such a good idea that I could hardly wait to begin it. I took an old white table cloth that I have had for years (it is HUGE and really quite pretty) and got gold and black marker pens and everyone who came wrote a small little something on the table cloth as to what they were thankful for and then signed their names and the date. We will do this year after year until there isn’t any room left. What a wonderful way to look back over the years and see first hand what everyone was most thankful for. Now my mom wasn’t able to write hers as her handwriting is till kind of shaky, and she really didn’t feel comfortable with it, but she dictated to me and I wrote for her…I hope everyone had as nice a day as we did ~ minus the fire of course….


Friday we spent the ENTIRE day digging out our Christmas boxes and treasures and trying to find new places for everything in our new house. In the end, LOTS of things got packed back up and I will have to pass them down to our kids or sell them or give them away or something. Just wasn’t room, but that is OK…I have soo much, and everything looks wonderful in our new home. I will post some pictures later. Today we will put up our tree and finish the outdoor lights.

Today is my oldest son Joe’s 38th birthday! Yes, you heard me right…I have a 38 year old son; doesn’t seem possible even to me, haha. I had Joe very shortly after my 18th birthday so he really does have a young mom I have always told him, lol. How I love this man. He has blessed my life in soo many ways over his lifetime I don’t think I could ever really express it properly. He is generous and loving and supportive and talented and I thank God every single day for gifting me with the privilege of being his mother. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Joseph and may the Lord bless you, and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you, NOW AND ALWAYS….Love you soo….

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Psalm 100 :4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.


Thanksgiving Day will be here in a couple of days, and my heart and home are almost ready. I have been going about my preparations ~ cleaning and making my shopping list ~ while dwelling on all I have to be thankful for.

Psalm 26:7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.

This has been a year FULL of incredible change and tremendous blessings. God is so good to me. I owe Him everything. In the midst of all the challenges, He has remained as always ever faithful, and saw me through each and every trial and change. When I was diagnosed in May with breast cancer I honestly had no idea rather or not I would ever be able to walk the road that lay ahead of me. My emotions were of course all over the place, and the enemy went right to work trying his best to fill my heart with fear and defeat. But through the doctor’s visits and decisions my God held me tightly close to Him, and I felt His peace and strength in a very real and tangible way. I do feel soo blessed that when all was said and done, my cancer was caught so early all I needed to do was have a double mastectomy. This was not easy of course, or in any way not a life changing event, it just seemed so little when others face that and follow it with radiation and/or chemo. I feel I got off easy. How I have praised God for this. But I know that even if that would have happened, He would have remained firmly by my side and walked me step by step through the whole thing. I have watched in such admiration for their courage both Elaine from peace for the journey and Stacy from His way... Not mine as they have traveled this very road. I have the seen the power of God work in their lives in such a tremendous way I feel I will never be the same. What an inspiration they have been to me and to everyone who is privileged enough to share this journey with them in any way at all. I have prayed diligently for both of these precious gals every since I heard their stories, and I will continue to until their road towards renewed health is over. I would be remiss if I didn’t add my thanks to my husband who has loved me unconditionally for 35 years, and who stood by my side a pillar of strength to lean on whenever I needed him. And not just with the cancer ordeal, but every day since the moment we became man and wife. I will admit that I can be high maintence at times, haha, and how he has put up with me is a testimony to his great love of God and his desire to serve. I am also so thankful for my kids and my sisters. Their love for me was never as obvious as those days following my surgery when I found myself so weak and emotional I am not sure if I could have ever managed without them. And they all did so tirelessly and unselfishly. How grateful I am.

This year also brought us the joy of a new home. It is just perfect for us in every way, and my gratitude for this can’t really be expressed fully. I just love it. This move took place just a couple of weeks after my surgery so I was pretty much useless when it came to all the work that needed to be done. But yet again, my family stepped in and took care of things for me. I won’t be forgetting the giving of their time and effort ~ EVER ~ I am quite sure.

This year also brought a stroke for my mother, and I will be forever thankful that He spared her life and has brought her so far in her recovery that you would hardly ever notice that it happened. Every minute that we have got to spend together since that day has been a gift and one I won’t be taking for granted.

I’ve watched all my grandchildren grow and be healthy and show such promise for their futures. My children are all doing well and bless me everyday just by their existence. How I love them all. And finally, my grateful heart looks to all of you. The world of blogging is something that must be experienced to be fully understood I think. It has been so much more than I ever imagined it might be. The support I felt during my cancer ordeal was something I leaned on and counted on more than you could know. I loved knowing how many of you were praying for me. I “felt” those prayers, honestly I did. The friendships I’ve made have been both fulfilling and just what I needed in this season of my life. I wish I could mention each and every one of you that have added so much to my life in this last year, but I won’t even try. Just know that I appreciate you all for the unique gift that you each bring to my life. You have brought me joy, laughter, tears and knowledge of a mighty God who holds us all in His very hands and makes us all The Way We Are.

Psalm 50:14 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL! Enjoy this time with your family and friends and may we all remember to fill our hearts with gratitude to the One whom we all owe everything to.

1 CH 16:34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

A THANKFUL HEART IS A HAPPY HEART!

I have had a busy week and how grateful I am just for that ~ the ability to be busy. With these knees it is soo hard sometimes to have a busy day with many things that need to be accomplished, and no idea just how far I might get before these knees just can’t do anymore. I have been keeping a list of thanks on my sidebar this month and it has turned into a real blessing in and of itself. To set your mind on the good things, the positive thing, the things of God is a Biblical principle that we can count on. These verses in Philippians have just always been my very favorite.


Phil 4:8 – 9 Finally, brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, meditate on these things.

And here comes the promise

The things which you have leaned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

So much of the Christian walk comes down to the mind. Romans 12:2 speaks of the essential place of being transformed by the renewing of your mind, and 2 Corinthians 10:5 speaks of the importance of casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. What we “choose” to meditate on matters very much. What Paul describes here in these verses is a very practical way to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Paul had the integrity to present himself as an example of all of these things to the Philippians. He really could say, “follow me as I follow Jesus.” If the Philippians did as Paul had instructed, not only would they have had the peace of God, but the God of peace would have also been with them. It is of course very true for us as well. I have honestly found that when I find myself getting down or overwhelmed or feeling like I just can’t make it, I need only to fix my mind on and meditate on God and His many, many blessings, and my spirits are lifted and His peace will wash over my heart and spirit. There are just some things that are true, or are Biblical principles that just can’t be gotten away from NO MATTER WHAT and this is one of them. I don’t know about you but I praise God for this. My emotions can be all over the place, but by meditating on God and His peace, and His goodness, and His mercy and His grace, and His many different blessings as well, my mind can be renewed bringing with it His peace which transcends all understanding. Just doesn’t get any better.

Next week is of course Thanksgiving and it really has always been my favorite holiday. And not just because I love the gathering of family and friends over a very yummy meal, (which I certainly do of course!) but because it does cause me to focus on the goodness of God and the many things He has blessed me with over the year. It makes my heart fill with His joy, and His peace, and makes what I tell my grandchildren every chance I get so very true…”A thankful heart IS a happy heart.”

Today, Friday Nov. 19th is my grand niece’s very first birthday. What a joy and delight she is to all of us, but especially to her parents and my sister Diane and her husband. We will help celebrate her birthday on Sunday and how I am looking forward to that. Happy birthday sweet Miss Priscilla Jane and may the Lord bless you, and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you, now and always…

To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts, click HERE. How it always blesses my heart when I do.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth; Count on God instead of yourself..

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I only have a few minutes so this will have to be short, and I am not sure I know how to be, haha.  But I am sitting here beside my sweet mama as she takes a quick nap in her recliner.  We enjoyed a nice lunch out together and some sweet conversation as well.  How grateful I am that she continues to improve, though things that never stressed her in the past stress her so now.  It made me think that as the older we grow the less tolerence we seem to have for some things, and the quicker we tire.   I remember my precious grandma being the way my mom has now become and I've no doubt that will one day be me as well if I grow that old Lord willing.  To everything there is a season. 

This morning as I was browsing on Facebook I came across my daughter's page and she had wrote this quote...

Christianity, if false, is of no importance and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” (CS Lewis).

I need to repeat this to myself when I start thinking and living like it is moderately important... so pretty much every day.

I thought that was a pretty good thought for the day....Don't you?

A BEAUTIFUL MONDAY MORNING

Outside my window..It is just a BEAUTIFUL day in So. California. The air is crisp, clean and a perfect 70 degrees. I love these Fall days. Warm enough during the day to get lots done comfortably, and yet chilly enough at night that I need to snuggle up in my cozy throw for TV. Even looking forward to a fire soon.


I am thinking..Of sooo many things. I need to get together the rest of my plans and ideas for Thanksgiving. I came across a perfectly wonderful idea HERE that I intend to start this year. I have to make my place cards and I am considering making a couple more aprons. And I need to keep working on my Christmas lists too if I am to get the majority of that done before Thanksgiving as I had planned.

I am thankful for....a perfectly wonderful week-end; time with my parents on Friday night and then a few chores and a date with my hubby on Sat. We saw the movie Morning Glory and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and followed it with a wonderful dinner out. Sunday brought a wonderful morning service followed by lunch and a visit with my oldest son Joe and Lindsey. Lindsey received student of the month on Friday AND was moved to the top math group for her grade 4. They take all the top math students from all 4 fourth grades and combine them together in a fast moving class of their own. She was soo excited, and I am soo proud of her. She works soo hard. I am thinking a little treat from Grandma is in order. = ) Sunday night found us down in San Diego again to hear my son preach. How this blessed us both, and we got to see our grandkids and be introduced to Moe….click HERE for more details, haha.

I am wearing....comfy jeans and ¾ sleeve length multi colored top. I do have on my warm fuzzy slippers too.

I am remembering...what it was like when I was much younger and my kids all lived at home and this holiday season would come upon us. I was always soo busy. I wish now I had spent less time doing what was really not all that important, and more time doing what was.

I am going...to go to Joanne’s a little later today and look at Fabric. I am soo excited. LOVE this store.   And they have one of those little skooters I can whip around in and rest my knees when I get tired.

I am reading....a few different things….the book of Phillipians ~ how I love this, and still reading Karen Kingsbury’s new book, and I am browsing through a couple of Christmas magazines I found the other day.

I am hoping....to put in a GOOD week of dieting….

On my mind...there is sooo much…but front and center right now is how grateful I am for all the Lord has blessed me with.

From the kitchen...a new chicken recipe I got from my sister Diane. I am quite anxious to try it as it sounds soo yummy. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Around the house....I am doing some extra cleaning projects to have everything all done and ready for the holidays. It amazes me how things still get when there is only 2 of us living here.

Plans for the week....Cleaning projects, a little sewing, my hair on Tues. (these roots are soo bad) a day with my mom Wed., lunch with girlfriends on Thursday, and then we are back to Friday already…time does go soo fast.

One of my favorite things....A comfy chair, a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and a LONG talk with one of my kids on the phone.

A picture to share…

Not exactly diet friendly, but how yummy does this look?

 

 

EARS TO LEARN QUICKLY PLEASE....

Sometimes I feel like I might be the only one who can't really decide "what" to post about.   Should I stick to my day to day life with the pleasures of my hubby and kids and the wonder of my grandbabies?  Or, maybe it should be about the places I've gone recently, or hope to go, or maybe even about the wonderful recipes I've discovered or my latest crafting attempt, or even the latest re-arrangement of the furniture in my home?  All worthy subjects with plenty of writing possibilities.   Or should I venture into the truths I feel the Lord has taught me, and how He blesses me, and how much I long to share all this with you?  Maybe it is just that my life is a combination of all of these things so this blog should be as well.   Whatever the case, this post is just that ~ a combination of a few things.

How I enjoy my times during the day when I sit down and pour myself a cup of tea and visit all of you.  And I just keep finding more and more of you to visit, and have definitely found I just can't bear to miss a single post of anyone's as well; and the soo many different and interesting things you all find to write about.   Some of you have truly profound things to say.  And MANY of you write 4 or 5 times a week with never a dull word or a repeated thought, haha... I feel lucky if I come up with a couple of posts a week that aren't really the same thoughts said in a different way.  But I decided AGAIN to not stress about things like that and just sit here and write from my heart.  That was supposed to be the purpose of this in the first place.  To journal my rambling thoughts, not to be concerned if it is interesting to read, or blesses anyone one way or another.  I am always happy if it does of course, but it may have become too much of a focus. 

Recently, I have been having a quiet time with the Lord both in the morning and at the very end of my day.  Let me start by saying this has been WONDERFUL for me, but is not something I have always done or even done for very long.  I am just in a position in my life right now where time is something I seem to have plenty of.  I've always led such a busy life.  Raising 4 kids and all that goes with that, plus the running of our home kept me busy for years and years, and then the caring for several of my grandkids followed just as my daughter stepped out of the door.   Time was something I could just never seem to find enough of.  But in this last several months since I am no longer watching those babies a few days a week, and have added on the burden of my knees, I have been forced to "just sit" several times during the week.  Unfortunately for me it took me a while to realize that I could spend a lot more of that time in pursuit of knowing Him.  I have found myself discovering that I truly have just begun to scratch the surface of all He really has for all of us.  Occasionally I find a treasure from Him that I then find myself wanting to share so that others might also be blessed by it.  Here is one of my latest finds....I have been reading proverbs in the evening....and trying not to just you know read along, but trying to really dwell and ponder what the Lord might be trying to say to me with each particular one.  Last night I read...

Proverbs 15:31...The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.

And as I sat and pondered and prayed MANY thoughts sprang to my mind about the truth in that one single statement.  How many times in my life did I rush by moaning and whining about a particular set of circumstances or trials?  Too many to count that is for sure.  It has only been as I have matured, and forced myself to consider everything, that I truly did find it to be true that the times in my life where God has had to rebuke me have been the times I have learned the most.  When my children were growing up it was soo much easier sometimes to just let things go.  Not fight or rebuke, or punish and correct all the things that I knew needed to be addressed.  Not only because I was weary, but because I too couldn't bear them to have to be punished.  Now most of the time I did what had to be done, but there were numerous occasions where I just "let it slide" or looked the other way, or pretended not to notice.  How glad I am that the Lord doesn't do that with me.  In His gentle way He has led and rebuked and yes at times had to FORCE me to learn.  But all so I could abide among the wise.  SOMEDAY... because I am still waiting for that to happen, haha.  I have found myself saying to my now grown children..."LISTEN to me, LEARN from my mistakes, I have already been down soo many different paths that have proven to be the wrong way."  And I am saddened when they don't listen and chose to learn something themselves in a much more difficult way.  But I am sure that my Lord is saddened for me at all the times it has taken me to learn a particular truth as well.   My new prayer will be..."Lord, please give me ears to REALLY hear, that I might learn (quickly) what you want me to learn."

On a completely different note, I spent a long and good day with my mom yesterday.  She continues to improve and how grateful I am.  And last evening we went to my youngest sister's house to help celebrate her daughter Katie's 11th birthday.  What a sweetie she is.  And watching her open her gifts my mind wondered back to my kids when they were young and the excitement they felt on their birthdays.  How I miss those times and days.  Time goes fast so don't blink.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Miss Katie Lynn and may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you now and always!

Soo many thanks to my friend Kristi who not only offered and then created this signature for me, but then installed it on my blog for me as well....I love it Kristi, and you as well!

To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE.http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

HAPPY MONDAY

Good Morning and happy Monday to all....

What a busy week-end we had.  My knees are certainly paying the price this morning and I sit here icing them as I type.  This works well, and I do it often...A few weeks back I got a cortizone shot in each of them and it did help "some"...I think I am going to try some sort of gel injection (or something like that) next.  Hopefully that will work at little better.  I am thinking springtime maybe for the surgery...In the meantime, I am grateful that there are some things to do that help some, and trying not to be too overwhelmed at my inactivity and inability to do what I would like to do.  Christmas shopping should be interesting.  I did quite a bit on-line last year, but I really don't like this.  It is hard to see colors, sizes, (they always vary so)  etc., and I had some things that didn't come and then had to be traced etc.  I have at least got a start and have taken care of those youngest 6 grandkids.  Pretty good I am thinking.  I also got a handicap sticker just recently so I can park near the stores now.  How I fought this, and now I am wondering why.  It has SOOO helped. 

I have been reading how there are others of you out there who are changing up your holiday traditions a bit this year as well.  Janette @ Janette's Sage had some wonderful ideas and I personally would love to hear some others as well.  What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?  What have you planned for this year?  As it turns out my middle son John and his fiance and her oldest daughter are going to join us for dinner afterall.  I am quite excited over this as having NONE of my kids for dinner was just feeling "weird"...My youngest sister and her family will join us too, so altogether we will have 12 for dinner this year.  A very small crowd compared to other years, but I am just fine with this.  I am looking soo forward to our first Thanksgiving in this home.  How grateful I am for all He has blessed us with this year.  And there has just been so much.  His hand on me as I went through my breast cancer journey will be forever on my list of thanks.  And our new home, my mother's recovery, and soo many other things as well.  God is so good to us...

I still can't get my pic thing to work right.  Kristi, I had already done what you suggested as I have had many side ways pics in the past and I simply rotate and flip and save and then they show up fine on my computer storage,  but when I go to post them on here they start out fine, but then they are flipped upside down or side ways.  I have NO idea why.  I do have a darling one of my granddaughter Capri as a mermaid so I will try and leave this one on here at least for you to enjoy. 

How adorable is this? 

Believe it or not I tried my husbands suggestion and it worked well, haha.  This is Lindsey as a 50's girl..soo cute.

Jeffie the Power Ranger

Cody the lion (though he wouldn't keep this costume on)

My great niece Priscilla as Little Red Riding Hood...soo darling.  I had a really cute one of her and her big sister Jackie who was also Little Red Riding Hood, but I never could get that one to work..

My dil Larissa has posted her other cuties on her blog, and I TRIED to steal them so I could post them here, but another thing my husband installed on this computer has prevented me from being able to do this...sigh...I know he is trying to protect the computer, but it has been soo frustrating for me as I learn how to work things on here sooo slowly.  But if you want to see, you can check HERE.  There is an absolutely darling Night in Shinning Armor, and a precious Cupcake Girl.  Meanwhile I am quite perky I got these at least to work.  Hope you all enjoy your day.  I am wanting to get lots done today, so now that my knees are good and numb I am going to get busy...God's blessings to you all....Debbie

btw Kristi, I never could get the wonderful signature that you made for me work either...such a glue I guess. 

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK ENTRY

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...I am looking at a BEAUTIFUL but very warm (even for California) day… and watching the sweet little old (he is 87) man across the street working in his flower bed..he puts me to shame as busy as he always is.

I am thinking...that I hope this is the last heat wave we have until next summer…It is 100 degrees again today and I am longing for some cooler days.

I am thankful for..soo much… but in particular today for the LONG conversation I had this morning with my daughter on the phone.

From the kitchen...I am cooking chicken in the crock pot…too hot for the oven = )

I am wearing...white Capri pants and a pink short sleeve top

I am creating...I am working on embroidering some new kitchen towels. Haven’t done this in such a long time. I had forgotten how much I enjoy it.

I am going...I went nowhere today. I did all my laundry and cleaned out my pantry and re-organized it. You might wonder why that needed to be done when I have only lived here 4 months, haha…I guess I am just kind of messy. No kids to blame anymore.

I am reading...An old book of Karen Kingsbury that I somehow missed in the past.

I am hoping...that my mom continues to improve as much as she has.

I am hearing...the whir of the dishwasher and washing machine and dryer. I am soo grateful for all of these appliances. As much as I love the series of Little House on the Prairie, can you imagine the work of those days?

Around the house... Still enjoying my new house and today I am smelling the chicken in the crock pot and the new Fall candle that I bought yesterday…sooo yummy.

One of my favorite things...lunch with my girlfriends. Did that yesterday and had such a good time.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Tomorrow is already Friday so guess I will tell what our week-end plans are. Friday night will see us having dinner with my parents and then playing a little cards. Her doc said that card playing was EXCELLENT therapy for her which works well as we all enjoy it. Sat. we will probably begin our search for a new car (unfortunately it is time) and late Sat. afternoon I am planning on spending time with my granddaughter Annabel. Sun will be service here in the morning and then going on down to San Diego to spend the afternoon with my grandkids and then to hear my son teach.

Here's a picture to enjoy...

I just found this pic of Jess & Mel at Jessie's bachlorette party last August on Jessi'e facebook page.  I haven't seen any pics of this as Mel brilliantly forgot her camera, haha.  The girls look soo pretty, but I just can't believe they are already 24 years old.  Where did the time go??

Well, guess that's it for now...I tried to download my pictures from my computer to this post of my sweeties in their costumes, but for SOME reason they were ALL coming out sideways.  I am not sure why as I have them turned correctly of course in the picture album thing on my computer.  I have occasionally had the problem in the past, but not with ALL of the pics...I am surprised this one worked.  Anyone have any idea what I might be doing wrong?   

I have NO idea why the print went small and I can't seem to correct that either no matter what I do...guess it is just one of those days....Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER

Well, we have officially begun the month of November and I can really hardly believe it. It does seem like just a couple of months ago I was making all the Fall aprons and preparing for the last Thanksgiving dinner to ever be celebrated on Diana Crt. 25 years of Thanksgiving dinners were prepared and shared and enjoyed at that house. The memories that were made as we raised our family and watched them all grow and mature, won’t soon be forgotten. But it is time to enter a new season of our life, and time to create new memories and start maybe some new traditions to add to the old. As I said a couple of posts ago we won’t be going to Mel’s house as we had planned after all. However, (after recovering from my disappointment) I have decided to cook and spend the day enjoying any of my family who decides to come. My kids will ALL be enjoying the holiday with their various in-laws this year, which is something I tried to work out years ago that works well. To get them all on the same schedule, so that every other year we can all be together for the day was not easy to accomplish, but we did it. I will miss them all for sure, (especially those grandkids) but I do understand the need to share, haha. My parents will be coming for sure, and this makes my heart glad. Some of my sisters and their families “might” join us as well, but even if they do, there will be a lot less at the table this year. I want to try a new centerpiece, and I got some different (for me) scented candles. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I am not quite certain why. I guess it just seems like such an easy holiday, and yet carries with it such an important message. To give thanks to our mighty God for all He has blessed us with during the past year. This past year has been soo FULL of soo much, both good and hard. And through it all, the Lord has remained ever faithful. To count our blessings and praise our God brings with it a joy that is hard to describe. I feel like Jennifer from Smelling Coffee put it perfectly when she said, “Adoration of Jesus and gratitude to Him are automatic joy magnets for the heart. They move our focus from where it usually is, to where it needs to be.” I have just found this to be soo true. And so I am going to accept her challenge and keep a list that I will add to everyday of either praise or thanks for who He is or what He is doing in my life. I will keep it on the side of my blog as a reminder to me and for all to see who are interested.


Psalm 34:1-4 I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth. My soul shall makes it’s boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…

I have always loved this portion of scripture and have heard it put to song as I am sure many of you have as well. I can still hear Pastor Chuck Smith singing this with his rich baritone voice as he lead the church in praise. I will try and make this my mindset during the month of November as I get my heart ready for Thanksgiving Day.

I was going to share my pics from last night of all the little cuties that dressed up and had such a good time trick or treating at my son's house, but I can't get the picture downloading thing to work on our computer as my husband changed some things on our computer and I am not sure how it is all working yet.  But the dinner my dil prepared was WONDERFUL as were all the goodies she baked.  I also have some "before" pictures of the wonderful cedar chest that my mom gave me that belonged to her grandmother.  I am having my brother refinish it all for me, and I am soo excited.  Hopefully I will figure this all out soon so you all can see.  In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful Fall day that the Lord has given us.