The Day After

While many folks get up before dawn to hit the stores and make the most of "Black Friday"sales I've never been one to do that and I can't even imagine getting up that early just to shop. I know there are deals to be made but the only time I've gotten up in the middle of the night is to hop a plane for a vacation or to babysit grandchildren when one of my girls is in labor. Even now, being retired and on a very tight budget, that just isn't something I would want to do. I did go out with Kim and hit Family Christian bookstore for some sales but that was mid-morning. I love those $5.00 door busters. The rest of the day was spent at home, sewing and then getting some Christmas decorations out. I'm not quite ready to get out everything but a little bit seems just right. Last evening Kim and her gang came over and we snapped some pictures of our way to bring in the post Thanksgiving day.
The first pic is of my darling hubby with granddaughter Delaney; fast asleep after a full day of fun.
Next is our little Mackenzie, wearing her brand new compression vest. This vest is weighted and fits snug; something that helps kids with sensory issues feel safe and secure. The therapist dropped it off yesterday and we were encouraging her at how pretty it is. Truth is-she's the pretty one.
Then, although I didn't realize I'd be in the photo, comes Delaney in her Nana's lap. I'm not one for pictures-but oh well...she's just so darn cute!
Lastly is the photo that started all the picture taking: Shannon and her cousins puppy Lily. Actually we sent this to the boys for they are missing their puppy alot and I wanted them to see we are taking good care of her and giving her lots of love.
As for this weekend, well I'm not sure if we'll try and get any presents or not. One granddaughter is turning one and we need to finish up her birthday shopping and also hit out local feed store for dog food. Hubby and I are only doing stockings this year, with everyone, so that makes it so much easier to shop. We are giving hand crafted items-quilts and wood projects to all. I really wanted our Christmas to be homespun this year, simple and Christ centered. Considering that Mackenzie goes in next week for a medical procedure at Children's Hospital, I think her parents agree; there is much to much to focus on instead of buying.
Hubby and I are enjoying having daughter's puppy here but our old dog Reggie is having issues. I've resorted to sleeping in our guest room with the puppy while hubby has our two dogs in our room. I've tried every option I can think of to make this work but in order for either of us to get any sleep this is what works. Daughter and her gang should be back next Wednesday but may be delayed due to son-in-laws Grandmother being in her final stages of cancer. I never thought I'd opt to sleep in another room for a dog but a gals gotta due what a gals gotta do.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Thanksgiving Blessings

What a busy week it's been! On Saturday some dear friends whom we've known for 27 yrs flew in from California. Their daughter lives in Vail so they came early to spend time with us and see our new area; an added blessing was their daughter came for an overnight as well. The son-in-law is working out of town so she was able to get away. We had a great four days with them, showing them our new area and special places such as Estes Park. We played cards til we couldn't stop laughing and had a wonderful time. It is always such a blessing to be able to get together with friends you've known forever, especially when you've raised kids together. They loved spending time with our grandkids and Steve was most certainly a hit!
Yesterday our oldest daughter and her family headed out for California; they are seeing family and then spending a few days in Disneyland. That means we added one little bundle of fur and energy to our home...Lily is spending the week with us. Our dog Sadie gets along fine with Lily, except that Sadie is about 10 yrs old now and gets tired after a bit; Reggie is just a grumpy old man with arthritis so we have to keep him separated from Lily. Last night was an adjustment for all of us but today seems to be going a bit smoother. I'm hoping that within the next day or two all three dogs will get along perfectly. Of course, Lily is really missing her family and I'd forgotten what it was like to have a puppy around.
We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Kim and her family; it should be a great day. Our little Mackenzie is doing better with the chiropractic appts. and they are helping her sleep at night. Will wonders never cease! Next Tuesday she goes in to Denver's Children's Hospital for an overnight stay. They will be doing tests to see how bad her Acid Reflux is and what type of damage has been done. It will be a very hard two days while she is in the hospital for Mackenzie, Kim and Eric. Shannon will be with us, hopefully she'll be able to stay at our house verses staying at the hotel with baby sister and nana.
My days have been so full lately that I've missed blogging and also checking in on all my favorite blogs.
May you find reason this Thanksgiving to have a grateful heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to You and Yours.

Family Fun Friday

This morning I joined my oldest and her four little ones, my youngest and her three girls for a morning of Thanksgiving crafts and stories. Carrie homeschools her two boys and her middle daughter, age three, is used to "doing school" alongside her brothers. Kim's two girls love stories and art but aren't used to sitting still quite as much. Carrie had two art projects ready with cutting, gluing and coloring for the kids to do. She also had a story that involved food which centered around the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving; the little ones loved all the goodies that were in the story~candy corn, beef jerky, pretzels, bread and marshmallows which symbolized snow. After partaking of their snack Carrie read two stories for the children about giving thanks.
This was such a fun morning! It so reminded me of my teaching days in preschool. When I homeschooled my girls, they were jr. high and high school so although we did crafts and read extensively it was a tad different. I love these days spending with my dear daughters and their children; I love seeing them taught to see Jehovah in all things and to pray without ceasing.

Thankful for the little things

MACKENZIE


Today was a big day for our "little peanut"~her parents and two sisters, grandpa and I trekked down to Denver's Children's Hospital for an evaluation of some conditions she's had since birth. Going to the doctors is quite traumatic for our little one due to the fact that she has had regular visits her entire 18 mos. Today was a turning point in her health, hopefully, that will help everyone to know the extent of what's really going on in her little body. Seeing the specialist wasn't as bad as it could have been but after that she had to go to the main children's hospital for an Upper GI and blood work. This is just the beginning for her and within the next month she will be admitted to the hospital for a gastro scope and other tests. Having said all of this, I will add that her parents were troopers and very strong. This nana had such a difficult time, sometimes I wish I could carry the burdens my grand kids face and allow them to be healthy.
I love them each so much and when they hurt I hurt. Now, I will tell you that the blessing in this was while waiting at the hospital for Mackenzie to undergo tests I saw children with cancer, oxygen tubes, other life threatening illnesses who may not make it much longer. I felt such compassion for these families and also realized what Mackenzie faces could be much worse. I am not thankful that any children have to suffer but I am so thankful that we have the technology that might make my "peanut's" life better.

On Warm Days and Such

Last nights sunset in northern Colorado

Yesterday afternoon when I got home from errands dear hubby had our kayak out and I could tell by the look in his eye and his attire-sandals and shorts he was wanting to enjoy one more day of autumn before the weather turns. So we loaded the kayak into his car and headed to our local lake which happens to be right around the corner. Talk about nice; not only is the lake so close but yesterdays weather was in the mid 70's. Getting into carpi's and sandals had me a bit skeptical and I certainly didn't want to get wet-it wasn't that warm. Anyhow, we got into the kayak amidst the Canadian Geese that winter here and paddled around the lake. Of course hubby also wanted to see how many golf balls were within reach in the water as the lake is bordered on one side by a golf course, which he had played at in the morning. Although I was initially reluctant to go I was so thankful we went. Spending times like this with my beloved is so much fun and part of the time I was just able to watch the robins on trees, chirping and playing, and also look for our lake beaver that hubby has seen. What a life! By the time we headed to shore the clouds had moved in and the breeze picked up but it was beautiful to be out on the water. I should have taken my camera. If that wasn't enough to be thankful for we also enjoyed an incredible sunset last night. I am so blessed and so thankful to all I have in life.

Music and My Hearts Desire

I love music and I love to sing with all my heart. You can find me driving along singing hymns of praise and worship whenever I'm alone or have the chance. When at home alone I crank up the stereo and pick my favorite worship songs to sing with. When my girls were little we always started the day with worship songs, when in school we would walk to their classrooms singing.
I'm sure over the years I've gotten funny looks but it doesn't bother me at all, for if I'm singing to my King that is all that matters. Music and worship can make any day brighter and filled with joy. I can attest to this-when I was working in banking and was robbed(the first time it was me, the 2nd and 3rd times I was there)I would choose to sing praise to my Lord and Savior. When I was walking through the finals days with my sister and her battle with cancer, even if I was sobbing I would still sing. It is part of who I am; so this morning when dear hubby went golfing and I sat down to work on Christmas quilts it was natural to have praise music playing.
Here is one of my favorite songs...if you know it sing along.

I Give You My Heart by Darlene Zschech


This is my desire
To honour You
Lord, with all my heart I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord, have Your way in me


This is my hearts desire, to honor Him with all that I am.

A Month of Thanksgiving

As I've been reading all of my favorite blogs I've noticed a theme this month-being Thankful.
It is something I've been focusing on during the last year so thought I'd share things I'm thankful for. Join me, in your life and daily find things that cause you to rejoice.

I am thankful for:
Salvation through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
A life redeemed and saved by grace
God's Word and the reality of a living Lord
My beloved husband and especially his patience
My two daughters who I cherish beyond words
My two sons-in-law who I love as my own
My precious seven grandkids and my dear one in heaven
My big brother and my precious sister-in-law(the sister of my heart)
All my dear friends, near and far
The brothers and sisters in Christ who love me as I am
Living in beautiful Colorado, within minutes of my girls and their families
Spending my days helping my daughters
Quilting
Watching my girls make Christmas presents by sewing and knitting
Knowing my hubby is out golfing and can enjoy a few more days of nice weather
Having friends coming in for a visit from California
Getting to know sisters in the Lord via blogs
Learning to blog
Our community of believers who fellowship together
For sunny days, even if it is cold
For having dear Mackenzie next to me watching as I type
For the hope of relief from GERD for Mackenzie
For spending my days enjoying life

If you are reading this I am thankful for you.
Be Blessed today.

Something To Think About

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama . Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.



America the beautiful,or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine, choosing to indulge their lusts,when God has said abstain
From sea to shining sea,our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our temples,how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry,that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven;and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful, If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee.
~~Judge Roy Moore~~

This poem is a sad commentary on the state of our country. May we the people stop and realize what we are allowing the government to do to all the unborn babes~how it must grieve our Lord.

Funtastic Friday

This morning we were delighted to be met by a light blanket of snow. Although we had a slight dusting one night this week it had disappeared by daylight. It was so fun to wake up to this today. I'm sure it will be gone by late morning but it is a joy to behold. Today I am working on another Christmas quilt, I hope to get alot of the top finished. Hubby will be working on two new wood projects, cutting boards, to give to friends for Christmas.
This afternoon we are going to drive down to Golden for dinner and games with friends of ours. It is a long drive but it will be rewarding to spend time with this couple who have come to mean a lot to us. The husband was a golf pro so he and my hubby get to play together at times and they enjoy each other so much, besides loving the game of golf.
This week has been full but filled with joy and life. Our college fellow left yesterday, a week early and it is very nice to have our home back. We had a dinner, or as he put it-in his Australian accent-a "tea" one evening with three gals and James. On the family front, yesterday was a full day for daughter Kim and her little girl Mackenzie. We started the morning running her up to Fort Collins for a natural treatment trying to help with the GERD prior to going to Children's Hospital in Denver next week. Then Mackenzie has a therapy appt. and I always hang out holding the newborn. Life is good, I am so thankful I am able to help both families in any way I can. The afternoon yesterday was spent sewing while John working with our two grandsons making Christmas presents for their family. It is so wonderful that he can teach them woodworking. So that's about it; this weekend looks calm but there is a craft show in Windsor that I plan to go to.
Have a wonderful day!

The Work of My Hands

I have always loved textiles and creating things with my hands has been a joy even since childhood. For the last 15 years or so I've learned how to quilt and it has taken me that long to become comfortable with sewing. When our youngest daughter got married I made her and her hubby a quilt; as each grandchild has come into our family I have made a quilt for them. Now that I'm retired I have more time to devote to this hobby. I will never make perfect quilts but there is always love and prayers that go into each one. So when my daughter decided she wanted black and white toile as the fabric for her littlest ones' baby quilt, I who love traditional designs and soft colors, was a bit surprised. This is the end result, not necessarily what I would have chosen but now that it is done I love it. So does my daughter and with the red fabric with black polka dots on the back, it gives it a little punch. So now that this one is complete I only have three more to complete before Christmas and one extra that needs the binding. Maybe some day my work will be of a higher skill level, especially since I'm practicing so much, but until then my family will settle for all the hours, love and prayers poured into these loveys.

Happy Veterans Day

This morning we were surprised to hear F16 jets fly over our town. This has been a wonderful way to celebrate our country each holiday-Memorial, 4th of July, Labor day and today.
It wasn't just a once over but lasted for several hours; I imagine the jets flew out of Colorado Springs and gave our entire state a buzz. It is so good to be an American, good times and in bad, we have the freedom no other country possess and I for one am grateful.
To those who loved have served, are serving or will serve in the military I salute you and say Thank you for your devotion to our country, for your great sacrifice. I thank all the military personnel and say thank you from the depths of my heart; I don't take lightly what you've given up for my freedom.
May the Lord's Hand of Protection be upon you and yours and may He bless your life as you willingly serve us.

True Contentment

If ever you feel like your trials are big and possibly insurmountable or if you are going through something overwhelming right now I challenge you to click on the link below and watch the video of this young man. It was so powerful that it brought tears to my eyes and his testimony is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI

I am so thankful for all the Lord has done for me and all the many ways He has blessed me-may you find joy and contentment in Him today.

A Sweet Surprise

Amidst the changing of the season and the cold settling in, it was a joy to walk out our front door to the driveway and see this little flower had sprouted up, on its own, while everything else had died away. Mind you the grass is still somewhat green but the trees are bare and even the established bushes and shrubs are dying back. Here sits this little bud bringing joy to my day, reminding me that His mercies and blessings are new every morning. I'm not sure how long this little plant will survive but it was such a surprise to me that I'll enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Blessings on your weekend. May your days will be filled with sweet surprises from the Father.

On Bread Baking and Such

My baking whole wheat bread began when I was in high school and a couple of college fellows taught me to make whole wheat bread in a coffee can. I don't remember the recipe but it was so easy and it was delicous. Then when I was pregnant with our second daughter I took a class at our church on the Prov. 31 woman and making our own breads. It was a rich time in life, enjoying life with a two year old and learning so much about the Word of God. Carrie and I would bake bread every week and she loved it as much as I did. Then a problem occurred-I gained 9 lbs in a very short period that I attributed to having fresh, warm bread in our house to which my doctor told me to stop sampling it so much. I continued on until I burnt out my mixer. When my girls were older we got a bread making machine and we made bread several times a week and loved it. I'm not sure when we stopped or why; I was homeschooling at the time and also doing childcare so it is possible that I just didn't have the extra time or energy it took, even with a machine. Now Carrie has my machine and uses it continually to keep her family provided for. Yesterday I went to a friends house for a visit and when I walked in she told me she was making bread. I can't tell you how much I loved smelling the yeast and whole wheat mixture, needless to say today I went out and bought stone ground whole wheat flour to make bread with. Now over the years I've forgotten all the little tricks I used to make the loaves look perfect but it was such a joy to knead the dough and then wait while it was rising. Maybe it is the time of year, with the cold upon us it seems natural to stay in and bake and sew. It is so much cheaper than store bought and you know what is in it so that makes it healthier than processed bread. Although I have found Ezekiel bread and that is really a healthy bread my hubby doesn't like it. So as my bread bakes I am excited to have found this pastime and looking forward to supplying Kim's family with homemade bread. I'm hoping hubby likes it as well~I don't need to eat it all by myself.

A New Direction

I didn't post yesterday because I am purposely doing my best to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and I didn't want to write anything if I couldn't be positive about the elections.

Today I am looking at two verses and reminding myself that no matter what happens in our world or our country God is still on the throne.

"Trust in Him at all times, O people.
Pour out your heart before Him,
God is a refuge for us." Ps 62:8

"Lord Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations,
Before the mountains were born or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world
Even from everlasting to everlasting,
Thou are God".


So I will continue to trust in Him even when we are faced with a change in the direction of our nation. May He have mercy on His people.

Prayer for our Nation

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation
THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

On this election day may our Lord have mercy on this nation. May His people get out and vote and more importantly may His will be done.

Leaves of Gold

A woman we met up near Estes Park on Saturday told us that this year the Aspens are especially brilliant with more gold and bronze than she can remember. I am so thankful for the beauty of this season.