Thankful...

We had so much to be thankful for over the holiday, I don't know where to begin! I guess I'll start at the beginning...

Michael and I managed to get all the projects completed that we wanted to. That included painting our stairwell (not fun), making some much needed and long put off purchases, and babyproofing much of our home. We are nowhere near completion of all we want to do in our house, but it's a start. Our next deadline is February, when family will next be visiting, and the list is already forming...

We are thankful for completed projects...

What would the holidays be without family? First, my sister, Lisa, her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Celia (see earlier post) joined us for a visit of four days and nights.


We are thankful for the joy Celia brought to our home...

My brother, Robert, and his fiancee, Ildiko, had arrived in California earlier in the week and were staying with her parents. We had the opportunity to visit with them three days of their stay, which was also filled with wedding plans (the date is set for May 27th in Westlake).


We are thankful for how happy Ildiko makes my brother...

On Thanksgiving Day, we were joined by Marcia, Michael's sister, who came up from San Diego. I always love to spend time with Marcia. She's fun, she's great, and by the way, she looks FANTASTIC!!! Ryan, Michael's brother, also joined us from Riverside. He has lived in California for almost a full year, but this is the first time we have seen him. He has been travelling for his job to places like Alaska, Mammoth, and Italy! Rough life, Ryan!

My mom, Anita, was able to spend Thanksgiving with us, bringing her amazing pumpkin and apple pies. We gave her this Thanksgiving off, though~Lisa cooked the turkey. The table was complete when my sister, Gayle arrived, also from San Diego, with, thankfully, the yams.

My dad, known by many as JimBob, came out for a Fiesta on Friday. I made my specialty~chicken enchiladas with rice with beans. For dessert we had ice cream malt pies! Yum...

We are so thankful for family and food and health...

Alec had a fabulous time having so much family around. He made himself useful giving a great "Grand Tour" of our house to those who had never been here before and being quick on the computer looking up facts that came into question during various discussions! He was also delighted to be on hand to keep Celia entertained throughout the day, while Celia kept us all entertained with her lovely singing voice ("la la la").

The weather was gorgeous the whole weekend. We were so fortunate for all who travelled to and from our home for the great conditions through which they passed. Lisa and Bill were able to take Celia out each day for walks, and we all went out on Saturday to a local park for a family photo shoot. It has finally cooled down, though, we've had a few light showers, some wind has picked up, we've even had the fire going...

We are thankful for the safety of our family...

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for family to arrive and the preparation of so many meals, we think of those who couldn't be with us this year, our family far away, our friends who had plans somewhere else. And as we move into the Christmas Season, we also think of those less fortunate than we are and we pray that they may find relief from their burdens and strength for their journeys.

We are thankful for our many blessings, big and small, those that are obvious and those that are hidden...

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."