Updating...

Thanksgiving was great. I did eat too much so now it's back to normal (whatever normal is).

The shopping from 3am to 3 pm was loads of fun too. The excitment of the big sales at WalMart wasn't quite as much this year. The only 2 big items they had were the lap tops and the digital camaras. Maybe if I had wanted to buy one of them it would have been a little more exciting.

I played hookie from Karate today, but the girls went. They just got home when Nathan called and asked if he and Jesse could stop by. What a great surprise! It was sure wonderful to see them after then being away in Iraq for so long. They both looked awesome and a foot taller (well that's an exaggeration but they really did look taller).

I'm still reading Journey of Desire. Great book! It's refreshing to hear others put into words things that you're feeling.

Right now I can hear the rain and see the lightning, it's a calming storm. But if it gets any closer, it will not seem so calm.

Well, the family is starting a movie so I'm gonna run!

Blessings!

Is It True?

Men Are Happier People

This is not original to me.

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

Thanks!

What a wonderful and blessed day it has been. Every day is truly a gift, but I must admit I absolutely love this day of the year. There's lots of work and prep that goes into the Thanksgiving meal, but the rewards bypass the work.

It's so special having our whole family together eating, praying, just loving each other....from Baby Emma to Mamaw there's always interesting conversations from "pens" to "whoa, I left in there cos Mamaw's giving out lectures". And it's always on this day that we decide exactly what we're to do for Christmas gifts...draw names, Chinese game or buy for everyone. But somehow it always ends up the same...buy for everyone. It's just funny, cos we always think we're gonna come up with something different.

Thanks to my three sweet girls for all your help with baking, cleaning and whatever I need. I'm so thankful for the relationship that I have will each of you. You are always there in every way. So often I look around and see that so many moms aren't blessed with the friendship that I have with you. Yes, at times we have different ways that we may view things, but the beauty is that we each know that we have the best interest for the other one and we know that we can always depend on the other to really listen, and really care. I pray this will always be the case.

And to David, my best friend, my soul mate. You are such a true leader. By example, by words, just your life! Thanks for being a great husband, dad, and most of all friend. I can't believe it's already been 23 years, and it just gets better. When we first got married I thought that I could never love you more. But at 11 yrs I did love you more but thought there was no way I had any more love to give. But again now at 23 yrs. I love you more than just yesterday. And I understand when people think there's no way that we have the kind of relationship that it looks like, but if only they knew! And sometimes it does seem like a dream. I know you are in so much pain with your dad's health. It hurts me so much to see you in pain, but not be able to help. Just know I am praying.

So often I don't feel good enough to be the mom to such wonderful girls or a wife to such a great husband. I mean how can you all be so patient to put up with all my inferior ways. So thanks for all you are!

May God continue to bless you with much love, joy, peace, grace and health!

Thanksgiving Eve!

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious,

May your pies take the prize.

And may your Thanksgiving Dinner

Stay off your thighs!


HAPPY EATING TO ALL!

Karate pics

Maegan's fight


Maegan fighting


Faith with her trophy


Faith and Maegan


Tim and Faith


Faith fighting


Faith after she finished fighting


Faith doing forms


Faith places 3rd in forms!!

The Journey of Desire

It's so true that things never stay the same. Maegan just left for her job that she applied for a few weeks ago. For the past several months she has thought that she would like to one day open a Coffee/Sandwich Shop. She decided that the best way to see if she really liked that sort of business, was to work in the atmosphere. Smart thinking on her part. She is also considering Dalton State.

Honestly, I'm perfectly content with her staying right here, but Maegan is a doer and she will accomplish much. I will be looking forward to a report on her first day!

Over the weekend, the girls, Josh, Sonya and Andrew were in a Karate tournament. They did so well. It was a huge tournament. Maegan took 3rd in fighting. Faith took 3rd in forms. Tarah took 1st in forms and 1st in fighting. Sonya to 2nd in forms and 2nd in fighting. Andrew to 2nd in fighting. Josh took first in fighting. As I said they all did so good. I think Karate is beginning to take over the softball that they have loved for so long.

I will be testing for my stripe for yellow belt rank, probably tonite. I don't enjoy it as the girls do, but it is a great sport to help stay in shape and learn defensive skills.

Over the past week or so, everyone except me has had the flu bug. David's been the last to get it, and it hit him pretty hard. I think he's finally starting to recover.

Work is still slow, but God is giving as we need.

JL is still going thru testing. Now Velma is questioning the last doctor in Chatt about whether or not it's really asbestos. He was able to go to Church on Sunday and he hasn't done that in several weeks, so I'm glad to hear that. We haven't seen him lately becos we've had this flu bug and don't want to dare give that to him.

David has been teaching me to drive his Roush. I can pretty much handle everything as long as I don't get on a hill and have to start. It really is fun to drive.

I am reading "The Journey of Desire" by John Eldredge. Great book so far. Just one tiny part says...
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Do we form no friendships because our friends might be taken from us? Do we refuse to love because we may be hurt? Do we forsake our dreams because hope has been deferred? To desire is to open our hearts to the possibility of pain; to shut down our hearts is to die altogether.

Well, so much more happening but I really must get up from here and get this day going.

Blessings!