Thanksgiving Day

I had a very quiet morning sleeping in to prepare for the night shift work, but then I joined Brian and Sarah as they went to her family's house to share in a Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone was relaxed and welcoming.  We had a delicious meal prepared by her grandmother, mom and brother. :) I made a pumpkin pie to add to it, but when I counted, there were 10 people and 5 pies!!  We had plenty!!

So, after that, we had already planned to come back to my apartment and spend time with Dan and Jocelyn too.  They being night people... :)  Daniel, Jocelyn, Brian, Sarah, and I were able to hang out together until around 1:30 in the morning. 

The "girls".....my daughter-in-laws!!  Love them both!! :)

Momma with Brian and Sarah....yes, I am happy! :)

Dan and Jocelyn with me.....I love this pic :)

Now, I appreciate the sacrifice that was for Sarah and Brian....they both were exhausted!  And, even though Dan and Jocelyn appeared to be in a good and alert state......I am sure they were exhausted too! I am hoping that they all will go home and sleep for a couple days before they need to go back to work. :)  

I had such a great time just sitting, talking, and watching them interact too.  Not to mention, Brian and Daniel were able to help me understand this new tv's settings, and now I have abilities with the tv that I never knew I had! :)  hee hee  They are great kids!!

One more picture for the books! :)

This was taken with his ipad.....cool technology! :) 

This was the whole group hanging out around the coffee and tea in the kitchen!! :)  Daniel took many other pictures that I am sure will make it to facebook....LOL! Don't believe them! :)

Thanksgiving

Well, here I sit, after being canceled from my regularly schedule night to work due to low census, and I am wondering what to do with myself!!  sigh.....
I should be enjoying the quiet for a moment, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!....but, I feel kind of lost.
I really should be spending this time counting my blessings!!
God has definitely done so many things in my life that I would never get to sleep if I started truly counting those blessings! God has given me a home to live in, health for today, and a family to love.

It has been a joy to see the older boys grow up and become independent adults.  They have taught me many things over the last few years!! I enjoy watching them as they branch out into their own interests doing things that they are gifted in.  One of them just blessed his momma by treating her to a new tv and tv stand. (That might not mean much to you all, but it meant the world to me!)

I truly love having 3 children still at home that I get to train and watch as they grow into the special person each was meant to be!

I love the beauty of the earth that God has allowed me to see.  He paints the sky for me each evening, and tells me He loves me with the colors of the trees!  Simple pleasures, but so satisfying! To know that there is a God who loves me and cares for me is more than enough!
Well, I guess I will wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and then read a book, knit, practice the piano, take a bath, uh......I will figure something out! :)

extended family time

Today, the kids and I were able to get out for a bit and celebrate the wedding of Paul Jay and Nicole. I was able to visit with my sister and my brother for a little too. 

My brother and his wife and my sister with me at the reception for Paul Jay and Nicole.

Sharon and Frank (parents of the groom! :)  )

Frank and Darlene

Frank with me

 The kids got their first real feel of a pool stick!  Andrew was able to get some advice from his uncle before playing with Charity, but then he and she played for quite a while.  

Charity taking a shot at pool while Andrew waits his turn

Grace wasn't interested in playing pool, but she enjoyed talking with the adults for some time.

Grace joined in the picture with Uncle Frank and Aunt Darlene

 I enjoyed seeing everyone for a little bit and catching up on what is going on in their lives. 
I must say that these kids grow so fast!! 

vacation fun, part 1

We spent many months looking forward to the vacation that we were planning for July!
We talked about a lot of ideas, and we decided to start off with the fun times at the Potomac National's game at the beginning of the week with some big brothers and a sister-in-law. 

The next day, we drove to Maryland to visit with another big brother and his wife!  We were able to have fun and spend the night! :)

And then, off for Pennsylvania!  The kids wanted to see a covered bridge, so we drove around a bit to find a good one! :)

Ahhh.....the light at the end of the tunnel!! :)

This is what we found on the other side! :)

 So, one of the reasons we chose PA was so we could see a show at the Sights and Sound Theater!  So, after driving through some of PA, we headed over to the theater to see.....Jonah!

Looks of anticipation in the big theater!

Andrew sat on the other side of me "patiently"waiting for the start of the show!

WOW!!  That is really all I can say about this show!  If you have not seen it, you should try to get there! 

After the show, we all hit the gift shop to get souvenirs. And of course, I needed to get a picture of my kids outside with the Lion and the Lamb statue!!

I love this picture!! :) Probably because I love these kids!! :)

 The rest of the trip was spent somewhere fun too.....but that will have to be another post.....

Come on back now, ya here?! :)

Friends!!! :)

OH, I just had such a great visit with a great friend!!!

My very good friend, Rori and I were able to share a cup of tea in person!!! :)

Not only did I get to see, hug, and talk with my friend as she made a pit stop on the way home from saying goodbye to her oldest boy as he prepares to serve our country in Hawaii.  But, I also got the wonderful treat of getting to meet in person her precious little grand-baby, Piper!! :) And, I remembered to get the camera out at the last moment!  So, Piper was exhausted and ready to sleep, and we were having to say goodbye! But, I still got a couple good pictures to treasure!

Rori, Krista, and Piper (3 generations of wonderful ladies!)

sweet cutie-pie

Jason joined in this picture! He was so patient! :)

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to sit and chat and see my buddy!! Oh, I have missed her!  I am so glad that God allows a few minutes of precious time to warm my heart and keep me going!

Oh yeah, and I am now looking forward to being a grandma more than I thought I would!!  :) 

10/2/12 p.s. apparently, I need to amend this and make it clear that I am not expecting to be a grandma yet, as far as I know.  I just know that I am going to enjoy it.  Seeing this little one just confirmed that thought to me! :) 

cup of tea......

As my tea is seeping, I was just thinking about the therapeutic effects of tea.....in my opinion, of course.  I haven't done any scientific studies, however, I have had many a cup of tea!!

Tea can calm the body, mind, and soul!  In order to drink tea, you must sit still!!  It is too hot to guzzle!   I have spent many hours drinking tea with good friends!  In fact, that is the way I started enjoying the warm tea!

One of my very best friends introduced me to tea (with milk) as we would share about the activities of the day (joys and frustrations), along with homeschooling ideas and child rearing ideas and daily living ideas!  I have such sweet memories of those days around the kitchen table with kids running in and out and around and about!

We often would discuss spiritual issues, and I remember many times that I would leave her kitchen with not only my stomach being warmed, but my heart and soul was warmed also!!  

I have now moved too far away for those afternoons with this specific friend, unfortunately!  I have also taken the milk out. :) I like it plain old, plain old tea! :) But, I have continued the habit of sipping tea with friends!  I spend many mornings with a cup of tea, my Bible, and my Lord, Jesus Christ!  I enjoy that time best if I can sit outside too.....but, sometimes I need to stay inside due to the weather.  I also have a friend who is fairly close by who enjoys tea too, so we can share a cup of tea around the table and have our little talks.

Apparently, I am passing along the joy of tea time with my family too. So, one of the newer friends I have enjoyed sharing tea with is my daughter.  We have begun an evening time of just the two of us and our tea.  Sometimes we talk, sometimes we read, sometimes we are just in the same room together.....but, we always have our tea! :)

Now, you have been given a glimpse into my joy of  sipping tea, and why my tea is part of this blog!

So, off you go, get a cup of tea, and relax.........enjoy! 

So, UN-techy!!

I have just been sitting here with my very high-technical daughter, and I have learned many things about my blog posting.....along with her blogging! :)

So, I have now made my blog so much more like me!!! :)  I love it!  Now, I can enjoy writing about my happenings around this house with the blessings and a cup of tea, of course!  And, I can also enjoy re-reading it!! :) 

Ah, the simple pleasures in life!

Sit back and relax........sigh......sip.......sip............sip............sigh!