Thanksgiving pictures

Some pictures from our Thanksgiving. I rigged up my tripod and set the timer so we could get a picture of all of us around the table. It was a lovely, relaxing day and surprisingly I got the whole meal done and on the table with very little trouble or worry.

We talked about the things we were thankful for later in the day.

Heather said "Parents to take care of me, a house to keep me warm, and food to keep my tummy full." Rose said "God to take care of me, a home to keep me sheltered, and a bed to keep me warm." Will was feeling sad because he had a rash from (we think) laundry soap and his legs hurt... so I prompted him a bit, finally he was thankful for "legs - even though they hurt, better than not having any, arms, and a head 'cause without it I'd be dead". Well then, there ya have it! :D

I told them I was thankful for messy toys, dirty dishes, and stinky socks. The kids were quite perplexed and laughed and laughed. I then explained (borrowing from the little poem that had floated around the internet), that those things - though they drive me crazy some days meant that I had children who are healthy enough to play, food to cook and feed my family, and a husband who worked hard and came home to me every night.

Ignore the dirty dishes in the background, and my lack of makeup. ;O

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our dear friends and family!

We are spending a quiet day at home (after our CVS haul this AM). Turkey is in the oven - yes it is upside down, trying that this year to see if it really does make the breast more moist. :) The girls and I made 2 pumpkin pies last night and put together the cornbread casserole and green bean casserole. I have stovetop stuffing and scalloped potatoes <ducking> to make still, but everything else is under control. Oh, do have to make the crisp toppings for the apple crisp. I got a 25lb turkey for $11 (thank you Kroger and coupons!), so it will not be ready until around 3:00.

Tom is playing Monopoly with the kids, I should go relieve him soon... that can be a little daunting. They always want to play it, but takes so long to finish a game - so we will take turns.

We pray you all have a wonderful day with your loved ones and are thankful for the people and things God has blessed you with, most importantly the gift of Christ and forgiveness and hope that comes in knowing Him.

New dining table for us!

This is the new table that Dad and Laura gave to us. It has a corner bench and 4 chairs,

and the benches lift for storage! I am SO excited. We thought we would put it in the kitchen, then once we got it there I didn't like it but LOVE it in the dining room. We took the leaf out of Tom's grandma's table and put it at the end of the kitchen - so lots of seating room here now. :-)

This pic is our kids and our friend's children all eating lunch around it - with plenty of room to spare!

Request for prayer

Please keep us in prayer. Our business is not doing well in the current economy and we are struggling. I know that God will provide and we trust for our physical needs to be met and see that already, but it is hard to see Tom so down and stressed. Please pray for us to glorify God in all things and to learn and grow through this. Pray for strength for me as I try to support and encourage Tom. Prayers for more work and for past customers to send their payments would be much appreciated! We also covet God's wisdom in future decisions. Thank you!

Internet Down

We have only one choice for high-speed internet where we live, and apparently they decided to start regulating band-width the same month that Tom had to update his software. We exceeded our limit and so now have no access until Nov 30th. I am SO frustrated!!! So, no updates from me for a while unless I get lots of spare time and can go to the library (ha!). Only a moment here now... will be back, miss you all!