Happy Thanksgiving

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:" Ps. 92:1

We will be going to mom and dad's house in just a little while (the kids are already there -- they spent the night last night). I love Thanksgiving -- I love that we can have traditional food, I love spending time with family (and seeing some family that we don't get to see too often), I love looking at black Friday ads after dinner while we drink coffee, I love the familiarity of it all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Election Day

"The future of this Republic is in the hands of the American Voter." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower


I read this on the blog, Gathering Grace, yesterday. These were my thoughts exactly and I wanted to share them here -- "If Obama wins, we are going to drink up and keep right on truckin' because we are mamas and wives and Christians and we have better things to do than wring our hands over spilt milk. God won't be knocked off His throne "even if." "

But, if Obama does win, I am going to keep right on doing the things that I need to be doing for the Lord. I am going to trust the Lord. I am going to serve Him. I am going to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas with my precious family. Etc.

Today, may we all experience the peace that passes all understanding!

Halloween Cuteness!!!!

This was definitely the funniest costume of the year!















Thanks Mom and Dad for having us over once again and making everything special! It was great having Billy there with us since most years, he has been working. Yeah for a day shift job!!!

Pumpkin Carving

We have had two sick kids this week, so we were not able to go to church last night (as we had planned to do). We decided to carve pumpkins while we were home. We have not carved pumpkins for several years because we are usually not home on Halloween night. We usually go to my mom and dad's house for a weiner roast and trick-or-treating. Well, last year, I felt the "mommy guilt" that my kids hadn't carved a pumpkin for the last several years. So yesterday, I thought why not. We went and bought pumpkins and had a fun time carving. I was planning to do one or two, but the kids each wanted their own and daddy said that was fine.

Gifts 16-17

16. Being able to spend the weekend in Pigeon Forge with my mom. This was the first time since before I had kids that I have gone away for the weekend with just my mom. We had a great time! Mom was teaching at a women's retreat and I went with her to drive and keep her company :-). We had a wonderful time of sweet fellowship with each other and with the other ladies, relaxation, eating out, and shopping. My mom defintitely spoiled me. I felt refreshed both spiritually and physically. But, despite the great time, I really, really missed my family! Saturday afternoon, while in the hotel, I was able to watch a little bit of the Georgia/LSU game. While watching it, I was imagining Billy and Hannah cheering on the dawgs, Kristen hanging out and sort of watching the game and being on the computer, and Will coming in and out watching the game for a little bit and then going off to play some more. It was a nice feeling and a good reminder --that is where I belong -- right at home with my sweet family. So, thanks mom for a great trip and to my family for letting me go and being able to carry on with me gone. I am glad to be home!















17. My parents. I feel so blessed to have parents who are still married. They celebrated their 4oth wedding anniversary this year. I am very thankful for each of them inividually, but I am also thankful that they are still together after all of these years. I love that I can go visit them together and that we can sit and drink coffee and enjoy being together. They are a great example and testimony to me and to others of committment in a marriage even when it wasn't easy. They have also taught me to stand for what I believe even when it wasn't popular or easy to do so. I am so thankful for all of the help and support that they have given to me and Billy over the years. Thanks mom and dad!!

Gifts 14-15

14. Being able to go camping. My dad and mom have a camper and took the kids camping all last week. They had a great time. Then, over the weekend, Billy and I got to use the camper and camp with the kids. What a blessing! It was cold, but we had a good time. Thanks mom and dad!!! I forgot my camera, but I think Hannah took some pictures. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some of hers.

15. Three great kids, who amongst ipods, cell phones, and computers, still like to swing at the park. :-)

Fun Night -- Going to get Ice Cream

Thanks to our sweet friends, Robbie and Kim, who had so sweetly given us a gift card to Cold Stone Creamery, we went out for ice cream on Thursday night. The ice cream place is right next to the aquarium, right on the river, and right across the steet from a playground. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed the evening! I think often of how soon these times will pass -- the kids still being at home and us all getting to "play" together. I want to slow down and enjoy this time as I know how fast the seasons of life change.































Wow, that was a big cone that Will had! He spotted it as soon as we walked in. And, yes, his hair is red. I took him to get a hair cut and they lady asked him if he wanted it colored. Of course, he said yeah! For anyone worried, it all washed out. :-)










Sisters, never too old to play on the playground.