Thanksgiving Pictures

Here are some pics from Turkey Day:

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful time this year in spite of a bout with the stomach bug. I was sick two days before Turkey day with the "CRUD"!! We weren't sure we would be able to have Thanksgiving dinner here at all!! Danielle and Tim were real troopers!! While I laid on the couch and moaned and groaned, they made pies and desert. Danielle and I had planned to spend the day making pies and goodies together. She did a wonderful job with some help from her dad. She's going to be a wonderful wife , someday.
Ian drove all the way from Charleston. I was sooooo glad to see him, but he kept his distance the first day he was here (smart). Mom, Noni and Sean decided to stay home (smart!!!). We missed them terribly!!
We had dinner at about 5:00, so I wouldn't have to rush. That was nice, but not our usual tradition. Not as many "homemades" as usual, but it was still yummy.

I have been thinking ALOT about what I'm thankful for lately!! Soooo much to be grateful for!! Things are tight, but God is so faithful. Isn't that what the first Thanksgiving was all about? They had suffered hard times, but God had provided. He is faithful. Thanks my Holy Father for all you blessings!!

Nature Studies

Danielle and I have been going out in nature with our little sketch books and the D-40. We've been having a blast!!! Two other HS families have joined us. I'm going to post some of our pictures here and some of my drawings.

This has been so wonderful for my walk with the Lord!! The Word says that "all creation declares His glory." When you sit in a field and focus on one small flower and it's complexity......even just a blade of grass, you can't help but marvel and rejoice over the Great Creator!! The peace and joy I have experienced has been wonderful.

The kids seem to be more observant now. Danielle notices little things that she would have otherwise overlooked.

NICK AND CLAIRE

My son and his family come over often to have dinner with us. I watch Claire, some, while my daughter-in-law works. Claire is one of the treasures of my life......there are many. Nick is also one of my treasures. All my children and their children are. My two other granddaughters are in California.....across the country. I don't get to see them often and have missed out on much of their lives. I hate that!!! So, I enjoy every minute with Claire!! She's a bustling 2 year old right now. Into everything...with a mind of her own!! BUT, what a joy baby!!

It's very interesting watching my son (who used to be the baby before Danielle came) with his daughter. I see myself so often in him. I think "I taught him that"........sometimes with a heavy heart. He is me when I was his age!! Very passionate. Not always very sure of himself, but trying very hard. I like the man he's grown into. I'm proud. He has his moments and his faults, but he really tries....NO...... he REALLY tries!!

Check out my Slide Show!

This is my little brag book. It's not finished because it's still only June. I may have to do several of these!!
We live in such a beautiful part of the country!! I'm greatful every day for the beauty that surrounds us. All the pictures were taken no more than 100 miles from my home and some are at my mom's. I LOVE IT HERE!!

Blessings

Last year, in October my husband spent a week in the cardiac unit of a hospitl here in western North Carolina. We thought he had a heart attack. Praise God, he did not, but he was diagnosed with a condition called idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Weakened, enlarged heart. The doctors have no idea how this happened, maybe a virus. They just don't know.
His conditioned has improved, but his heart is still not functioning at a normal level.
My husband has a small remodling business. He does construction. It's hard work. He has made it possible for me to stay home and homeschool my daughter. He has made it possible for my daughter to participate in competitive gymnastics. He works so hard for us!! AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM!!
SOOOO.....I am going to try to sell my kits to help take some of the load off of him. I haven't quite figured out how to do this yet, but I will.
My question to you who have enjoyed my freebies is:
Would you buy future kits? Is my work good enough?
I'm asking you to reply to this post. Is it worth my efforts? Is anyone willing to help me get started?
I'm taking a class at a local college for web design.
I have a domaine name....Divine Design Shoppe.
I also have a new blog... take a look. divinedesignshoppe.blogspot.com
So, let me know what you think.
Thanks, and blessings on all of you!!! You have blessed me!!!

Gymnastics

My 11 yr old daughter loves gymnastics. She is in the gym 4 hrs/day, 4 days /wk. She's a level 7. She competed level 6 in the fall and moved straight to level 7 in January. This is the policy of our gym, as well as many gyms. We have been going to meets since October, 2007. She did well at the level 6 state meet....6th all around. I can't remember any of the particulars......it's all a blur.
Today we went to the level 7 state meet. We drove 4 hrs, stayed in a crummy hotel with a crummy "continental breakfast." She had her worst meet of the season!!! We're afraid to see what she placed all around. She was 9th on the beam.
We prayed for favor. She gave it all to Him. And she bombed...........
So during the 4 hr drive home.......I wrestled with God. Why???
He reminded me of my entry to this blog about the Tapestry. My daughter went down into the valley and faced her giants. Did she win?? Well, she remembered to call on the Lord. She decided to give it all to Him. WIN-lose.
We all have heard the analogy of the tapestry. We see one side of it, but God sees the whole thing. I don't know what to tell her about her scores, but I know that the Lord was there with her. And I know that He knows what's best for her. Tough stuff. But I know He was there.
She competed with very sore heels. Courage.
She can't wait to get back to the gym Monday. Perseverence.
She congratulated the competition at the resaurant we had lunch at. Good sportmanship.
She's asking questions, but not doubting the Lord. Faith.
WIN!!

Shower time

The Lord often speaks to me in the shower. It's one of the few places he can catch me alone. This morning I was thinking about a dear friend of mine that has moved away. She told me that they have thought of moving back, but that this place was a spiritual wasteland. a spiritual wasteland......... hmm......

I began to look at my life to see if this were true for me. The Lord brought to mind a song from the 60's by Carole King, "Tapestry." I'm humming it to myself, right now. "My life is like a tapestry of rich and royal hues....." I was so moved by this song and the realization of how true this is in my life.

Before I came to know the Lord my life was like a black and white, two dimensional picture. Now, in Him, it is full of depth and rich color. Every day with Him more dimensions and colors are added. He is so rich.......the richest of fare. The only way to know this is to know Him.

So, if Carole King will forgive me, I'm going to mess with her song a little and change the words a bit.

"My life is like a tapestry of rich an royal hues, the never ending presence of a never ending You........"

I am blessed and God is good!!!