O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...........

On Thanksgiving night it is our tradition to put up the Christmas tree and begin decorating the house. We listen to carols and drink hot chocolate once the tree is decorated. This year we are living in a new house, so the kids were so excited to see how the tree would look!

Ricky has been battling sinus issues, so he was not feeling well at all!!!!!! He did a little, but then sat in the glow of the tree and watched! I felt so sorry for him!

The tree is finished and now the wait for Christmas officially begins!!!!!

Treasures of Fall

As thunder rumbled in the distance today, Toby and Kensli went for a walk and brought home these treasures.

The Pictures that DIDN'T Make the Card

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

*Please pause music player to watch video.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

May the spirit of Thanksgiving be with us all!!!

Today is the day that families around the USA come together to be thankful for the all the blessings sent from above! We are gathering today with my family and they will be arriving shortly! Before the turkey, dressing, casseroles, and pie, we would like to reflect and share our short but well meaning thankful lists.

Toby:

(who is now talking to the turkey)

Snuggles with the kids!!!!

Coffee (we are both tired this a.m.)

Health

Kayla:

Coffee in the mornings!!!!!

Fresh fruit, especially avocados

My husband, who loves to cook and is helping prepare the meal for today!

Ricky:

Sports section of the paper, which he has already read this morning.

Family

College football (LSU plays tomorrow! Geaux Tigers!!!!!)

Kaitlyn:

Family

Stuffed Animals

Pets

Nicholas:

Our Christmas Tree

(Nicholas thought we opened presents this morning!)

Kensli:

Blue Berry Muffins

Morey (an older guy she is smitten with)

Family Weekend

I've Been Tagged!

Lisa over at The Berry Patch tagged me with this fun Bookworm Award!

Here are the rules:

Pass this on to 5 blogging friends. Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that.

OK, so I picked up the nearest book to me, which was our Spanish Bilingual Bible, and turned to page 56 and found the 5th sentence. I decided that maybe I ought not type it in English! It is Genesis 38, the story of Tamar.

So, I picked up the next book and I find it a little more appropriate, so here goes............


"Do what?" asked Little Georgie, puzzled. "Georgie," said Uncle Analdas solemnly, "listen careful now, because you may never hear me speak these words again in your whole life. Georgie- I'm goin' to take me a bath!" Clean, refreshed, and slicked up, they hastened toward the Hill, Little Georgie almost running in his eagerness to be home.~from Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

Now I tag..........
Val at Val's Whimsy
Debra at The Cook Clan
Felicia at The Huffs House
Ashley at Mommy Fowler
Tami at Till God Brings Them Home

Just Makes Me SMILE!!!!!

A Princess, 2 Ladies, & Daniel the Butler

Once upon a time........................

there was a beautiful princess, who wanted to have a tea party.

She set the table with her finest, and had her mother prepare a feast! Then she sent invitations to her two friends.

Daniel the Butler came to help serve the guests!

The first guest to arrive was Lady Elizabeth.

She was dressed in her finest gown!

Last to arrive was Lady Mariah in a beautiful gown of pink and blue. All the ladies were so beautiful!

Tea was served!

The Princess drank the first cup to friendship!


They drank with their pinkies raised!They drank with several fingers raised!

They ate their great feast!

Daniel the Butler stayed very busy serving such grand ladies and Her Royal Highness, Princess Kensli!

It was a grand day at the palace!

Two Urgent Prayer Requests

I know that there are praying people that read this blog, so I thought that I would bring two very urgent prayer requests to your attention!

1) A meeting concerning adoptions between the officials of Vietnam and the USA is scheduled for the middle of December. At this time all Vietnam/US adoptions are on hold for families without referrals, so pray that all issues will be resolved and that Vietnam adoptions will be open again. There are a lot of families waiting for some GOOD news. We have a couple in our church that have been waiting almost 2 yrs. for their daughter from Vietnam! They were so close, but now they wait! Pray that things will once again proceed!

2) Pray that our adoption agency, Children's Hope International, will be given Hague Accreditation by our government in the next few weeks. They did not receive this accreditation when they applied the 1st time, due to circumstances out of their control. They will be reviewed again and we really need them approved. They have placed so many children (3 of ours) in the past and are really a great agency! They not only do adoptions, but a lot humanitarian work, even in countries that no longer do international adoptions.

Thanks for your prayers in advance!!!!

The CHEF

Nicholas has never shown any interest in cooking or making anything to eat!!!! He wants me to wait on him hand and foot when it comes to eating! I have tolerated it since he turned 5 and cherished it before then, but I feel that by now he should at least be able to get his own glass of milk! I guess I have allowed the "little king" thought pattern to persist. Well, last night he came to me out of the blue and asked if he could fix himself a PB&J. Guess what? He can, and he did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's the proof..........................

Yum! He said that it was the best he has ever eaten! :)

A Fun and Easy MEME

I found this at The Berry Patch, who found this MeMe on another blog and it looked like so much fun that I had to try it myself!

All you have to do is copy from my blog to yours and then change your responses to bold print! Come on and have a little fun!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Wow, I better get busy! There is so much I haven't done in life and most of them sound like so much fun!!!!! The only one I know will never happen is #94, *sigh*, oh well, the Lord knows best! :)

Thinking on These Things

Have you ever gotten a phone call that changed your day? Has someone ever told you something that wasn't what you wanted to hear? Have you ever been in a situation that somehow shook you and eroded you inner peace?

Happened to me 2 days ago!!!!!!!!!!!

Somehow in my mind I knew that a telephone call was coming! My spirit rejected the call from the beginning, but knew that I had to answer. It was my Dr. on the other end and her report was NOT what I wanted to hear. CROHNS! What and ugly word! Makes me almost sick to say it!!!! Granted, it was NOT a "you have cancer" phone call, but still I had so believed that I was going to receive a miracle! Yet, in my spirit God had been preparing me! Why he allows us to walk through trials, sickness, and sometimes even death, I will never understand!

When the call came I became instantly overwhelmed with a feeling of hopelessness! My mind screamed, "HERE I GO AGAIN!!! MY BODY HATES ME!!!! ANOTHER DISEASE IN 30 YEARS TO BATTLE!!!!!! GOD YOU HEALED ME OF ONE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, WHY SEND ANOTHER!!!!!!" Then in my moment of sadness, I became angry! Not at God, but at myself!!!!! What had this report really CHANGED in my life? It hadn't! I was still the same as I was 2 days ago! The medicine, although aggravating to remember to take, is working, I have great support from family and friends, my kids are all healthy and happy, my husband loves me, we are blessed beyond measure, and I know a healing GOD!

My mind went to Philippians 4:8 & 9:

8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.

Here I stand!

The God of peace is with me!!!!!!

The Things I Find Around My House

Kaitlyn is a writer! The way I know is she writes on everything! I find notes, labels, warnings, commands, and jokes all over the house that she has written. This one was in the refrigerator!

Think Pink.......Flowers

Well, last night I pulled out my paints and brushes and here is the result..............

Not too bad! Kensli seems to like her new and improved sling!

Here is her "what are you doing taking my picture right now" look! She makes a pretty model even with an attitude! :)

What if We Just..............

*please turn off music player before watching video

A Broken Bone Will NOT Stop ME!!!!

I spent all weekend recovering while chasing Kensli and trying to keep her from hurting herself more than she already was. I didn't realize she was such a busy little girl! I think that she is part monkey, because she can climb the walls with only one arm! :) Can a person really get high on Motrin and Tylenol? Things that make you go HUM!!!!!

This morning I took her to the Dr.'s office and he examined her. He said that he didn't think there was anything broken, but sent us for x-rays to be on the safe side! I am so glad he did, because he called less than an hour later and said that her collar bone was broken. Poor baby!!!!! She has to be in the sling for 6 weeks and she HATES it! Also, we have to have another x-ray again in 3.

Can't tell she hates the sling in this picture! She wants me to decorate it with pink flowers! Guess what I will be doing ASAP?
She absolutely adores this gown she is wearing in the pictures. It was Kaitlyn's and it is really too big for her! Whenever she finds it clean, she will put it on and not take it off until forced to! One day I asked her why she likes this old gown and she said it was a "slicky, princess gown." She put it on immediately after getting home from the Dr.'s office. Guess she just need a little princess comfort!

I'M BAAAAACK.......

and moving slow, but definitely glad this week is OVER!!!! All my tests looked good, but we will find out more in the next few weeks.

Kensli and Kaitlyn were playing on the bed this morning and Kensli fell off. She hurt her shoulder and mom called, with Kensli screaming in the background, during my tests. I was asleep and didn't know a thing about it until about Beaumont, TX, on the way home. Thank God, for a good husband!!!! Toby called and our doctor was out, so he called the backup doctor. The Dr. said that we could take her to the ER, but since she was moving it , put her arm in a sling and watch her until Monday. The Dr. thinks it is the collar bone(location and knot on the bone) and said that really nothing could be done about it anyway. I was concerned because the fall was on the side of her heart surgery, but the Dr. said that I shouldn't worry about that at all. The fall was not far enough to cause any problems with anything concerning the heart. Call me a worrier, I guess!!! I wanted to take her on to the ER when we got home, but Toby over ruled me and he is probably right. The sling keeps her from using the arm, she is on motrin, acting fine otherwise, and I would really like her to see our Dr.

We will see Monday!!!!!

Toby's Trip to Guatemala

Thought that I would post a few pictures of Toby's trip a few weeks ago to Guatemala and tell a little about the trip.

Toby went down with three other guys to check out some sites to try and help the local people obtain cleaner water. They traveled around the country side outside of Guatemala City checking on water sources and sites for wells. We have helped do some work like this in the Philippines, and I am so glad to be helping in a country that is really close to my heart!

Guatemala is a beautiful country with wonderful, sweet people!

One of the local children! The people of this area use this water for everything from washing to cooking!


One of the churches that the group visited.

Toby and group searching for a water source.

Toby and I love architecture. Here are a couple of shots that he took that I just love.

Shot of the Volcano

Overall the trip was successful and they are working with the local missionary to hopefully get some projects rolling! I will be sure to post as things progress.

A Little Tired

This has been and will be quite a week by Saturday, and one that I will be glad to see behind us! Monday we had to go to New Orleans to take Nic for some needed kidney tests. To go there and back, plus Doctor's visit and tests, is extremely tiring! His tests were all normal, so we do not have to go back until this time next year! Thank the Lord!!!!!

Then today I started fasting for my tests on Friday in Houston! I can only have clear liquids......YUCK!!! I am hungry and tired tonight. I am allergic to what most people drink to have a colon test, so this is the way I have to prep!

We have been working on the girl's bathroom, getting ready to paint! Maybe another reason for being tired! I will post before and after pictures when we finish. Hopefully we will finish painting tomorrow!!!!!

Wheeeee and Oh, No!!!!!

Yesterday I did this.......

Yep, I fell down!!!!!!!! I haven't fallen since the last time I played a game of baseball, which was a few years ago. I was trying to do some power walking around my pool, and tripped on the water spout. Normally we have pot plants around it to keep just such from happening, but because of the hurricanes a few months back they were moved. We just didn't put them back! Now I wish I had!!!!!!!! I cut my finger, bruised my hip, and hurt my back again! Just what I needed!

Then, today I walk into the game room and find this....................

The two little ones were playing up here and got into some shredded paper.

Here they are................ two of the cutest little culprits I have ever seen.