Giving Thanks...

As I sit in my chair reading a book on forensic science, Sissy plays in the bathtub rapidly approaching her 4th birthday (is that EVEN possible?) while Missy is downstairs singing and playing on the computer. Mister D works diligently in the back room on some of his moonlighting computers.

This is a blessed time. There are no crisis' in front of us or currently being dealt with. Our biggest "issue" at the moment is what - if anything - we will be buying for Christmas this year.

Next on our 'to do' list is Missy's 2nd grade choir production at the Civic Center's Hall of Trees Festival. Then our town's Christmas celebration where I will have a 30 minute performance window.

What a blessed life we live! I am acutely aware of my state of being - my state of blessing - and hope to always discover myself in a perpetual state of thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

We had a wonderful holiday and

enjoyed family and good food (and believe it or not - I cooked, too)!

We are trying to get ourselves in the gear of Christmas but it seems impossible that it could be this late in the year already! This morning while I was plunking out our annual Christmas letter Sissy did what she loves to do - play on the computer. The girls are fortunate to have a Daddy who can set up computers with ease so they have their own "lab" with two computers side by side. He was wonderful enough to add headphones so we all can do our own things without disturbing others or being disturbed. We're so fortunate!

Who IS this big girl?

I can't believe my "baby" is in 2nd grade and looking so big! Missy's school pictures came today and "Wow!" what a cutie (if I don't say so, myself)!

A HUGE step for her this week was her first visit to the local AWANAS program. She informed us that visitors don't have to memorize scripture, but we're praying (and would solicit your prayers) that she becomes more than a visitor! To hide the Word in her heart is a dream of ours.

(The picture to the right was 2005...the Spring before Kindergarten.)

Rest and Relaxation...

On my day off (Veteran's Day-observed) I couldn't resist this picture of Sissy being a movie-star even during her nap-time. I should have taken a nap, too as - once again- we had a sick child in the night. This time it was Missy. Hopefully we are coming the the end of this series of events.
You can't help but be touched when the 3 year old of the family is thanking God for "keeping Mommy healthy", tho!
To live in a constant state of thankfulness is to really live.

Thank You U.S. Armed Forces Past and Present!

***Thank you, United States of America Armed Forces! Thank you for putting your lives on the line so I might have the freedom to enjoy my selfish, every-day life without interruption!
***Today at a local Veteran's Day Service an Army Colonel shared with the group that deciding to join the armed forces is like writing a check payable to the United States of America. The cost is left blank but can be written for any amount up to and (all too often) including LIFE. This is a truth many don't recognize any more.
***I had the blessed opportunity to share my love of music with this group today when I sang the National Anthem and later in the service, sang and signed "God Bless the USA". It was an honor to have been asked and I was so blessed by those present!
***The service honored World War II veterans and how humbling it was to see them all lined up around the face of the memorial. A special thank you to all the Veterans of wars past and present.

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Our week, personally, was a trying one. We had our share of trials but so many more blessings. Last Friday after the celebration of Granma Bear's birthday Sissy came home sick and spent the rest of the night (into the wee hours of Saturday morning) throwing up. Then on Tuesday night Mister D came home and crashed on the couch. He slept his night away until Missy declared how she, too, was feeling ill. She spent the rest of that night throwing up. Ugh. The next morning Granma Bear called to see how our night went only to announce that she, too, was suffering from the same flu.

I was positive I was going to be the next "victim". In fact, when the Army Colonel (spoken of above) called to confirm Saturday's events I warned him that I was the only one left. I just KNEW I wasn't going to be singing. Well, after getting through Thursday without even an ounce of nausea I thought maybe I was out of the woods - maybe not. Thursday night Sissy woke me up crying that she had (once again) thrown up. I heard the voice of God loud and clear in the midst of cleaning her up. He said, "This is so you KNOW that when you DON'T get sick I have performed a MIRACLE." And so it was.

I am well and His miracle has been noted. God is so good!

Only in my house!

Well, we had an accident in our house this morning. This is the kind of thing that only happens in our house, I'm positive.

Missy has been croupy so Mister D put a vaporizor in her room to moisten the air. He placed it in the only possible position - on the floor. Well, this morning Sissy made an unusual stop in her sister's room to greet her good morning. When she decided to rest for a moment in the abyss of junk and misplaced items, she came to rest her posterior on the top of the vaporizor - while it was still steaming. Meanwhile I was in the shower and 'thought' I heard crying but it wasn't until I got out that I discovered that my youngest daughter was blistered on her bum. Oh! What a terrible ordeal! Fortunately we took a kind visit to the family physician who prescribed a miracle drug (silver sulfadiamide-or something like that) and it provided instant relief for my little one. Like I said, I'm sure this only happens in my house!

I'm a mountain girl!

While visiting a local bookstore Sissy discovered a "hole" in the top of the wall. It wasn't a puncture hole it was a window sized hole. She inquired as to what the purpose was. I told her she'd just have to ask the owner.

At the first opportunity she did just that.

She was informed that it was an office and behind the door were stairs that led to the office with the window. Sissy announced that she wouldn't need the stairs. She could probably just climb up the bookshelf and into that hole because her Papa Bear told her when we were visiting the mountains that she is indeed a mountain girl! The bookstore owner could do nothing but smile and nod her head in agreement.

Not again!

I'm not sure what sparked the comment, but Missy informed me the other day that I have been wearing skirts too often and it's really beginning to "e-noy" her. Well! I'm not sure what's offending her about them, but her opinion was shared and noted.