Lately.. this past week....

The week of Thanksgiving marks some sort of "milestone". In Texas, it is usually when we can finally say goodbye to summer temperatures. It involves the beginning of holiday (off work) time and the start to serious cooking, eating, singing, friends and memories. This year, this past week began with a road trip.

After my dad died in early January, we knew we would have another memorial service later in the year. Well, "later" was last Saturday - at his ranch in central Texas. It involved immediate family and the men who have been coming to deer camp (or their decendents) for over 40 years. We had a time of remembering and a time of saying goodbye. Hard as it was, the goodbye was fitting. Alan Jackson's Small Town Southern Man said it all.

It was a quick trip and the beginning to a much less emotional week. (Thank you Lord!

The work week was short (Thank you RHCC) and our Thanksgiving meal was NOT traditional, as it involved a Mexican menu (Thank you Joaquin for the tamales). The dinner table had several different family unit's represented and what an enjoyable time of relaxing and remembering. (Welcome to Texas Lindsey and Jesse!) Friday morning, Cassidy and I hit the streets at 5:15 am, but were back home in bed by 6:45! Woo Hoo! :)

Friday afternoon we witnessed the glorious beginning to a new family, as Meghan Rinestine and Chris Cobb promised God to love Him and each other forever. (Thanks for inviting us to be witness to a miracle!) What a beautiful and fun afternoon.

Another blessing occurred Saturday morning, as we were blessed to be around a great family - taking pictures of some awesome kiddos. I wish I would have been as flexible of a mom as ABL is and how intuned she is to what is really important. Thank you ABL and RRL for letting us be part of your precious family's adventure!

Church was amazing (isn't it always?) Saturday night and rushed back home to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Even wearing the appropriate clothing, our good vibes weren't felt all the way to Baton Rouge. But losing 1 game out of the 3 we really cheered loudly for still has us in the winner's bracket (yes, the Longhorns and the Cowboys were our other 2 teams we cheered/yelled for/at!)

Today (Sunday) has been the perfect ending to a great vacation from the normal routine. Although Joel went back to work (don't feel sorry for him - he's been off almost 2 weeks...), the rest of us began the day in shifts. Jeremy went to his normal Sunday afternoon basketball game while Cassidy and I put up the Christmas tree and related decorations. No, there are no gifts under the tree - there may not be that many this year. We just don't feel the need to buy gifts that no one needs, or spend money that no one should. Our gifts are these: we have each other, we have jobs, good health, a warm house, dogs that think we hung the moon, and a Savior who loves us and wants us to remember why we celebrate this season.

Family and friends.... we have lots of them... So as this Thanksgiving holiday ends, I am thankful for you - the people who love me - and that I love. Here's the last pictures of just a couple more of them....

Muah!