Ever hear that old song? Saying Good-Bye Is Hard To Do!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

Cody, Minnie and Ally

Photographer  Charlene

Thanksgiving 31 years ago!  David, Jayme, Beth, Char & Heather

End of the Turkey

Jacob, Joseph, Gaby, Heather (check out Heather 31 years ago!)

James enlightening us on conditions in Iraq - he returns next week.

Feeling some gratitiude tonight

1. A visit from Ally and her dad.

2.  A perfect great granddaughter

3.  Thanksgiving includes these three characters! :) 

4.  One of those great joys in life is feeding Ally!  We connect.

Tonight I am realizing I have so much to be thankful for!  A partial list includes:

-  A husband who inspires me and makes life so good, regardless of circumstances. 

-  A husband who is the love of my life!

-  A family that loves me so much that they  change plans in order to be here.

-  A sister who is, what I would call, a true friend.

-  A daughter who is the nicest person I know and whom I couldn't love more.

-  A relationship with Jesus Christ that prompts me to stop everything and praise Him, not for what He does for me but    for Who He is.

- 





Guess who's coming for Thanksgiving!



This adorable little miss is all mine come Thanksgiving Day! 



Scripture for the week:

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope,
Because of the LORD's great love for me, I am not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning.
Great is Your faithfulness!

Awareness....have that mammogram!!

Ally - a chair - a sunflower

Ally and her GiGi

I am so missing this little one today!!!  She is now 13 months old, as of the 6th, and from what I hear, changing every day!  I had such a ball with her over her birthday.  Here we are on the day of her party, before she puts her Minnie Mouse Party Dress on.  So I've decided to post this photo, I don't have too many of myself with her. 

Note the label:  Ally and GiGi.  As great grandma, I need to choose the name she will call me.  She has other "grandmas",  but being Great Grandma is about as good as it gets! (Yes! I know what you are thinking.... I continue to be too young to be a Great Grandma! ! :) ) 

Jayme is Grandma.  I'm not sure yet whether Patti is Grandma or has choosen another name.  There's so many names out there...Mimi, Grammy, Nana, Nona, Nana. Nina, Nanny........Whatever!  My growing up years I was so close to both my Grandmothers and called one, Grandma Lee and the other Grandma Rogde.  We just used surnames.  And Grandma was traditional.  I happen to think there is no more beautiful word than Grandma, and that is what I will always be to Ally's mommy, Shannon. 

However, to Ally, since Grandma is already taken, I am choosing a modern name.  My mother, as Great Grandma,  was GG to Shannon.  I like that.  But I think I will add a little flair to it and make it GiGi! Can you hear it??  zhee -ZHEE!! I am Ally's zhee-ZHEE!  (pronounced GeeGee is optional) What do you think?  GiGi?  Is that pretty hip?  Great Grandma's definitely need to be pretty cool.  Or are there any other name suggestions?  Leave a comment and let me know!  or leave a comment if you think I have carried this just way too far. :)

Ending on a more serious note:  Don't forget to keep up with the Compassion Ecuador Bloggers!  Your heart will be moved.

"....as it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15

I am following and praying for the Compassion Bloggers traveling to/in Ecuador-and it is so exciting!  I can tell from their blogs just what this means to them.  And I am drawn to be in prayer for each of them and the children they will meet and love on in Ecuador.  Knowing that the Holy Spirit has been at work there, long before they arrive, I am feeling wonder and awe as I anticipate what God Himself will be doing in Quito and in the Amazon this week!
"How beautiful on the mountains Amazon Jungle :) are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' "   Isaiah 52:7
oops!  that's the Andes Mountains as well as the Amazon Jungle!

Check out their individual Blogs, as they post about their trip.  And remember to pray!  Here are the links:

Boo Mama
A Holy Experience
Baby Bangs
Kelly's Korner
Big Mama


I am remembering my trip to Ecuador, about ten years ago.  A journey with seven other women from C&MA.  It was a journey that began about a year before we traveled. (weekly prayer meetings, fund raisers, church blessings, packing party for all that we were taking to the missionaries, women bonding)  It was a marvelous journey! 

Prayer Quote from O.C.

"The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies:  wandering thoughts and lack of  intimacy with God's character as revealed in His word.  Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline."

Oswald Chambers

Morning's with Viv

Such a good time this morning with Vivian at New Cov's Women's Tea.  This picture does not do the table justice, it was beautiful.  The unique centerpiece was made from a manzanita branch and was full of crystal and sparkle.  Good music, good speaker and good food. Best of all:  good company!

Fun loving and adorable Alex was a server.  She's soon to graduate and off to college next fall.  I'm  remembering when she was in my VBS class summer of her 2nd grade.  Yikes!  What happened??? How dare you grow up so quickly!!!  You sweet girl you!



The Week in Review:

Dan enjoying after breakfast coffee when he first arrived...14 months ago



Wednesday afternoon, Dan leaves California for North Dakota

1. It's November!  Full of possibilities.  Started out the month with a big change.  On November 2nd, my brother left the warm sunny state of California and may I say, warm sunny household of his sister and b-i-l  :), and returned to live in North Dakota, just in time for cold, blustery, snowy weather!  His choice! 

2. The Dutchman, always the picture of health, had a night in the hospital this week.  No fun!  Thinking it was appendicitis, we were in ER from 1:00 - 6:30 a.m.  Very scarey to see this man of mine in so much pain.  After the catscan, determined not app.  but something calleed epolilic appendigits.  Try pronouncing that one, let alone spelling it!  He's on road to a fast recovery and preparing himself for a full work load.  Always focused on others, he would not be too happy with the world feeling sorry for him so I am posting this picture of him in a beautiful spot......taken about an hour after leaving Ogden  just 3 weeks ago.
3. After a very short "return to duty", I have been furloughed.  Barely enough time to get used to the 5:30 mornings and my work routine.  So now a break until January or February.   :) Wouldn't mind the work though.

  4.  House painting almost complete.  I was so unsure about this color when we started.  The trim shade of green is perfect for my Florida man, but I saw it and began thinking of flamingos on the front lawn.   Now I love it.  Front and back yards look beautiful.  Now if we just had a separate place for all the trucks so we wouldn't look like Motel Six!    (Sorry.  No complaining.  It's our bread and butter and I am thankful!)  
 





  5.  My scripture verse for this month is Psalm 121:1.  In fact the whole chapter of  Psalm 121.

And just how do we know she is a real princess?



because Ally's not afraid to show her real feelings



feelings displayed for all to see

A Real Princess Shows Real Feelings!

Ally

our princess indeed!

She's Our Princess!

Ally