A happy mom

Oh joy! I am one happy mom... all of my guys are home. Jordan and Chris got in about 7 last night, Micah got in at about 4 this morning. I haven't seen Micah yet... Can't wait for the hug when I do see him! He got stuck in a huge snowstorm on the way home so it took him 7 1/2 hours to get here rather than the usual 5 1/2 or 6. I was gone till after 10 last night so I had to wait to see Jordan and Chris. Tonight we are going to have a family picture taken (several actually) It's about time. I have finally decided I have no excuses. Besides I need an updated photo for my profile anyhow!

GriefShare last night was once again amazing. There were 17 of us! We had dinner together, everyone brought something, (We all brought something that was a favorite of our loved one) we actually ran out of room on the table, and had to spread out onto the counter! What a great group we had this time. I always have great groups, but there was just something different with this group. First of all it was the largest group so far, and from the very first meeting everyone was so open to share their hearts with everyone. That is a facilitators answer to prayer!

I am going to post pictures of our group. There was so much happening last night. I had one woman say that the conversations during dinner last night were so good, so healing. Breaking bread together was just what we needed to complete out 13 session cycle.

We had a very good "remembrance service" to go along with the session. Here is our table with pictures, candles, Rosemary (the herb) and the ornaments that I made for each person. They were clear glass, with a white feather (symbolic of an angel's wing) with "Remember" written on them. We need to remember that our loved one in in heaven surrounded by angels singing praises to God! Everyone got up and shared their loved one's picture, and a little about them, lit a candle in honor of their lives, cried a little, and healed a little more.

Next week we will be having the first Surviving the Holidays for GriefShare. I am looking forward to that. We will have room for about 50 or more people, and be viewing the CD on the huge screen in Studio 56. No struggling to see on the tiny TV.

I have million and one things to do today, since I have blogged, now it's only a million! I hope all of you have a wonderful, joy filled Thanksgiving! Remember, no matter what you have gone through, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Snow

I have to admit that the snow is really pretty, but it is something I can do without! As a child, I loved the cold and snow. Then I grew up. At 16 I got my drivers permit in February, and of course (I lived up north by Akron) we had considerable snow. I think it was then that I started to NOT like snow. I absolutely hate driving in it! My boys are a whole different story (I gave birth to them, but they certainly are not like me) They are typical testosterone filled males that love to do donuts, and spin their tires... seemingly with no fear. Then there is me. I drive slowly, cautiously, white knuckled, can't sit back in the seat because I'm so tense. I'm sure you get the picture.

Here are a few pictures of what I am seeing as I type.




As far as I can tell we got about an inch of snow.I don't expect it to last long. The sun is shining, and I'm sure it will warm up enough to melt like it did yesterday. Then I'll feel safe to go out! I know I'm a chicken!

Progressing...

Jeff started painting the guest room last night. Hopefully he'll finish it today. I am very anxious to get it in shape for Micah to use while he's home. Although I don't have a whole bed for him to use. I have a mattress, and the other furniture, just no box springs/platform. Maybe I'll find something cheap.

I can't wait to have a finished product to take pictures of to post on here. You saw the before pictures a while back.

I am gearing up to do my Christmas decorating. I try to have the boys get my "stuff" down from the barn loft while thy are home. We are going to have a family picture taken this year. I have been making plans and preparations for that. I am almost to the 40 pounds lost mark (I still have 20 more to go after that...maybe) I have lost this last few about 4 times now. I keep going up 4 , then losing it...UGH! I always used my weight as an excuse for not having family pictures done (how stupid is that?) Needless to say, the last family picture was when we were in Florida before Liz died. And I still wasn't happy because I was so heavy. But now I treasure it because Liz is in it. It was just one month before she died.


Wow, look how young we all are. Chris was in 5th grade, Jordan 6th, Micah 9th, and Liz 11th.


Now, all of my guys are adults and I need to do this before they are to far away to cater to Mom's whims.

I have GriefShare tonight, then next week we have our final session in this cycle. I have something special planned for then.

Also,

We are going to present the new GriefShare "Surviving the Holidays", on Tuesday, December 2, at 7 pm at NewPointe Community Church. If you are interested you need to register at the church 330.602.5600. We have about 40-50 workbooks for that, so be sure to call if you are planning on attending. The cost is $4.00.


I need to get laundry and dishes done so I'll have to quit playing. See you later.

Fun fun fun

The party was a raging success! Mary was so surprised, the ho-ho cake was reeeeallllllly yummy! I got to see Mary's nephew Chase (seen here in these pictures) he is affectionately called "Festus" he is one of the cutest kids!

Behind Mary are two of her sisters -in-law, and another niece (Maggie on the left) and her newest niece Katie was the youngest attendee at 8 weeks. Another niece Emma (on the far right) was there as well. It was so much fun!

Here are pictures of the group that surprised her! I have never seen Mary speechless...until then!

The ho-ho cake is seen here with Mary's favorite scrapbook phrase emblazoned on it! Slap it down and move on!

I made a boat load of cards, and to/from tags. I didn't do any scrap booking.

I have to include this picture of Mary's sister Carol and Chase. Poor little guy thought he'd stick his fingers in Mary's "Queen Jean cheesecake" and we all hollered, and he burst into tears, I felt so bad, but I thought this picture was so sweet I had to include it!

Carol is expecting her second baby in the early spring, so little Festus is gonna be a big brother! Awwww...

Well I have shared a portion of my weekend with you. I hope you enjoyed it, I sure did.

Today I went to a new writer's group at my friend Sally's house. I have been invited several times over the past few months but have never taken advantage of the opportunity until today. I went with a bit of nervous anxiety, but came home very encouraged. The woman that is leading this group has agreed to help me with my book! I e-mailed it to her about three weeks ago, and today she gave me some feedback! I look forward to working with her. She has already given me suggestions that will help it to flow better (Tina, I'll send you the un-edited version)

Well, that's the news for the moment. I have so much to do in the next couple of weeks to get ready for all of my guys to come home for Thanksgiving, so I may not be blogging as much, but I'll try to keep you posted on the newest happenings.

Moving on with life

After we have finally come to the end of all of the political commercials, phone calls, signs, debates, articles... I find that life goes on as usual. I may not be particularly happy about who our next president is. However, I know as do many of my friends and family that no matter who is in the White House, or for how ever long they will be there (one term or two) God will NEVER change!

No one can make Him any different than He has ever been! Hallelujah! God does have His hands full with all of us anyway. None of us are perfect. No Republican or Democrat, no King, Queen, or any other ruler will ever meet that criteria. Jesus Christ is the one and ONLY that has ever met all of the qualifications. I just happen to be VERY GOOD FRIENDS with Him! Of course, it is not a special group. It is something that is open and available to anyone and everyone! Your choice! If you want to know how let me know, we'll talk.

In moving on I find that I have ever so many things that need to be done. I started canning soup again this morning at 6:00 a.m. I have the second batch in the pressure canner, and a third waiting to be put into jars and processed. I now have: Beef vegetable, 15 bean, Sausage-Lentil, Tortilla, and also just beef that I am canning. It always tastes so good in the winter. I am also going to try something new this year. I am going to can potatoes. I love to do this sort of stuff. It always looks soooooo nice to go to the basement and look at the shelves where I keep all of my home canned food and see what I have accomplished.

Tonight I get to do two things. One is something that brings tears to my eyes, and that is to go to calling hours for a young man that died at the age of 18. It is very tragic circumstances that I will not go into, but I know his Grandmother and Aunt very well, so Jeff and I will go to support and pray for them and the rest of the family.

The second is: I get to go to an all night scrapbook party! WOOHOO. And along with that I get to celebrate MARY'S BIRTHDAY with her !!!!!!!! I'll get to see a lot of friends, possibly hold a baby or two and eat ho-ho cake from Litty's!! Now can you think of anything that could cheer me up more than that? Forget the diet (not that I have done anything to help it this week) I am going to have a blast.

My van is loaded but I still have one very important stop I have to make before I can go play tonight (I can't tell it's a secret) so certain people that always read my blog won't know what they are getting for their Birthday...

My timer is almost ready to go off so I need to end this one here. I have soup that need to be taken off the stove. Ummmmm yummy....

I'm voting my heart

I hope this is the plain and simple truth of it!

I have heard time and again that our country needs change...

Well, I agree to a point. There are things that need to change, but I don't think anyone that is elected will be able to make the changes they claim.

This country was founded on fundamental truths, and it was established on Biblical truths. Where have we put those truths? It seems that they have gone down the tubes.

On Friday I spent four hours waiting at Tuscora Park in New Phila. for John McCain to arrive at the rally. I was pretty close to the front, and was pleased that the turn out was about 3000. There were more people, but several left when he was running so late, so who knows how many were really there.

I have certain morals, and I believe that LIFE is the most important. This is an issue that is touchy with a lot of people, but it seems to be pretty simple to me...Thou shall not kill... sound familiar?

I may not have chosen this particular candidate, I had another that I liked better, but I have to vote my heart, and this is the candidate that most closely resembles my values. We must all pray for who ever is the chosen person that will be elected tomorrow.

It is our responsibility to pray for our president.

Have you prayed for the current one? NO? Then you have NO RIGHT TO COMPLAIN!

This is one place where I am free to express my views, it belongs to me, and I do have an opinion. I know that many of you do not agree, and that is your choice. I will not say that you are wrong, I will only state my views here and not argue with anyone!

I urge you to VOTE! It is a God given privilege. Exercise it!