Happy Thanksgiving!

Something cute I received in my email:

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,

MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.

MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Give Thanks - with a grateful heart!

Because of Thanksgiving, our week-night service at church is changed to Tuesday night instead of Wednesday.  And our 4th week service of every month is youth service. Of course, the theme for the night is "thanksgiving" and "thanks" along with the goodness of God.

Here is a recap -

To begin the service, the congregation joined in to sing this classic:
the Easter Brothers song - "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me"

 There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table And shoes on my feet

You gave me your love Lord

And a fine family

Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

I

As the world looks upon me, as I struggle along

They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong

In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see

Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

II

Now I know I'm not wealthy, and these clothes , they're not new

I don't have much money, but Lord I have you

And to me that's all that matters, though the world cannot see

Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me

Then the children's choir has a turn:

Psalm 34:8    O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

 God is good, yes He is,

He’s good all the time

God is good, I know he is

He’s good all the time

You can search the whole world over,

No greater friend you’ll find

He’s not good just once in a while

He’s good all the time
[Gaither song]

Psalm 33:5 “…the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD”

God is so good

God is so good

God is so good

He is so good to me!

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Thank you Lord for saving my soul

Thank you Lord for making me whole

Thank you Lord for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free

  The youth choir sings this Thanks Medley:

  Thanks! Thanks!

I give you thanks

For all you’ve done.

I am so blessed

My soul has found rest

Oh Lord, I give you thanks

Thank you Lord for the strength you give to carry on.   Through life’s toils and tests, in the worst and best, I’m not ever left alone.  You are always right beside me, you hear me every time I pray.  And since I first began, you’ve been my dearest friend and I give you all the praise

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the holy one

Give thanks for He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say I am strong

Let the poor say I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give Thanks!

[Thanks!  found on Red Rocks Homecoming - Gaither Series] 
[Give Thanks by Songwriter Henry Smith]

 
Mix in some verses - all Psalms.
No surprise there - since that book is full of thanks and praise.

Psalms 100 - the children quote
Psalms 136:1-9, 23-26 - the youth choir has responsive reading
 
And Finally - "Ain't God Good"
 

Ain’t God good. He gives us so many blessings.

Undeserving, that’s what we are.

We ought to thank him, love and praise him,

a little more today, and a whole lot more tomorrow.

I

Forty long years, God’s people journeyed through the wilderness

Searching for Canaan, that blessed promise land

They never got too hungry, nor never got too thirsty

But the more that God kept blessing them, the more they did complain.

II

Now in this world that we live in so many, they’re unthankful

Many Lord have failed to see that God has given all

They never have the time to stop, they’re always busy working

Just to pay for cars, new homes, and carpet wall to wall.

For the object lesson of sorts -  we talked about things to give thanks for, ways to give/show thanks, and people who were not thankful.  Coincidental that I read this morning on (In)courage about the only one who came back - this was part of our service last night also.  Out of the ten lepers that Jesus healed,  nine were not thankful. The only one who came back to give thanks was made whole - and not only received healing, but undoubtedly received salvation.  Just like the one, we should always give thanks.  We should not let one day go by without giving thanks and praise for what God has done for us.

And then to end the service - we filled in an acronym.
(Children under 10 giving the majority of these answers.)

We are thankful because GOD is:

T ruth

H oly

A ll powerful

N ice

K ind

F riend (so thankful God is "our" friend)

U nchanging

L ord

My thoughts swirled as I copied this down, I think of

Trustworthy

Hope

Able

Near

King

Faithful

Understanding

Love

To wrap up the evening, we had FOOD in the fellowship hall.
A contrast from the turkey/dressing menus,
we indulged in hamburgers, chicken wraps, chips.
The desserts, however, had a touch of thanksgiving. 
Pumpkin picks, turkey cookies, orange swirled icing, and "cones of plenty" completed the menu.

Because I left my camera at home, I have ZERO photos.
However, I did use my brother-in-law's camera, so I should get some later.

This has turned into one LONG post.

However, I could not decide which parts to delete.  

(Consideration takes extra time.)

And I am mostly posting for my memories.

In addition, I tried to give copyright credit, however I am not sure where to find some.

I am thankful for the composers who can weave lyrics into memorable songs.

Tonight, I am also thankful that I do not have to work tomorrow.
That the front porch is clean - and the storage unit is in use.
And that God blessed me to see another Thanksgiving Eve.

And for this pretty apothecary jar from Hobby Lobby:

(photo taken at our church's Senior Citizens Dinner 11.20.09)

My planner still has quite a few to do items.

So my final thought right now is -

"Thank You Lord for your blessings on me!"

random photography ...

Photography lessons and new techniques make blog-reading worthwhile -
For me anyways.

On her blog this week, MckMama had a live Q&A on photography info - and then posted about collage storyboards.  She gave instructions for "complete control" of the collage, which is always beneficial.

However, I think the easy way out is beneficial too.
The "Actions" tool in Photoshop is a time-saving, easy, just-discovered treasure.  From Pioneer Woman's site - I found this contributor from MCP site.  Incredible action tools are for sale here.  That will reduce the amount of time I have to spend editing.  Which might decrease the dread I feel as I face the processing of photos that need "help."  Instead of taking a lot of time to "fix faces" - this site has an action to click a button and voila - results.  I have to charge the credit card to use the face editing tools - but I used a freebie to see how easy actions are to use.  And this freebie involved creating a collage (or storyboard).

 So, I practiced with a few rehearsal shots -

 

hmmm - the hands picture would look better in black and white.

As a recap...

Because I have time issues - the action to create a storyboard is SO my preference.  Yeah, yeah - this post involves some technological mumbo-jumbo.  However, I learn and retain information by writing.  So this blogging could help as a way to process useful tips.

In other random notes...

The wedding shots from Saturday are not even in the editing stage yet - cleaning up to do, reading over a new cookbook (Pioneer Woman again), a birthday dinner to shop for & cook for, church Wed night, babysiting Thurs night and decorating for Friday night's Senior Citizens dinner - all this took the place of my editing time. And the regular 8-5 job kind of manipulates my time also.   It would also help if this "over-a-week-long" lingering cold would disappear. 

So right now, the weekend is up in the air regarding my productivity.

Time issues hit me in the face again.

And I wish for a LONG vacation.

the middle sister turns 29

 - today the middle sister *adp* turns 29 -

We are the only two siblings left in our 20s.

And in one year, that will change.

It is sad in a way - I wish that time could stand still.

1980 - to now

The cute little baby girl

 on the left

Is now my beautiful middle sister

on the right

The Sister Act

In the growing up years,

my mom dressed the three girls in matching outfits

 - normally dresses.

In some transition years, we avoided this.

However, those become cherished memories

 and the habit is picked up again.

Girls Night Out for our birthdays is a tradition we started in 2005

It is quite nice for just "us girls" to spend time together

Today, my sister is the wife of *mdp* - my 2nd brother-in-law.

A stay at home mom who just watched her oldest child

become a Kindergartener this year.

The "expecting mom" photo is from 2004 -

before her first baby arrived.

I had the honor of unwrapping the positive pregnancy test

when our family was told the news.

The secret of the soon-after 2nd baby became mine for a few days also.

From 2004 to 2007, she and her husband

added three to the "kiddos"

The traditions are repeated again -

Her girls have matching outfits

And she normally coordinates the whole family-

as shown with the yellow-themed outfits.

At my celebrations, she can be found

Even driving over 200 miles to my college graduation

Likewise, I made my way to the hospital

Even when 4 hours separated us

To make sure I arrived and held each baby in a hospital room

The first-time view of a new baby

Is definitely one of life's most precious moments

With four grades between us

I began where she finished

She dropped me off early at the middle school

And left the high school to pick me up

 I waited many days for her - 20,25,30 minutes
(at least I had built-in homework time)

She and I shared a room for several years.

Talking and Bonding - and some fussing too
Arranging our king-size bed

Borrowing clothes as my size changed

(but never shoes - b/c mine are smaller)

And after one "lights out" night -

I had the question posed to be her maid of honor

A memorable milestone for me

Sharing her special day in a special way

She is the cake-baker and decorator for a lot of functions

And she does a fabulous job - with cooking too

Themed parties and loving touches for her children's birthdays

Little things that can make someone's day

Thoughtful presents - like this Java Blue bag - are common

One of my favorite patterns and the wrapping even matched

I still have an orange pencil box with my name in stickers

That she gave as I went off for another semester at Clemson

She and her husband are almost at the 10 year mark

They can still laugh and have fun together

She is not into outside work

But she does like to fish

And can even bait her own hook (ewww)

She has pretty blue eyes

Long, thick brown hair

She dresses well

She is a mini-van mom

Who I admire

Babysitting her three small children (like I will do tonight)

Gives me a glimpse of her life

I can only imagine the dirty dishes

the piles of laundry

the dirty diapers

the accidents

and the throw-ups

My "hat" is tipped to all the mommys of small children

Especially door-step children

Today is her special day and I wanted to remember my thoughts

My memories could create a book

But I think I will wrap them up...

for now

Until January we are 5 years apart in numbers

And one wierd thing:

Her birthday is on Thursday - today

My birthday is on Thursday in January

Our birthdays always fall on the same day

when you look at the calendar from the November

of the prior year

to the January of the coming year

In addition to everything else above, one statement holds true -

Friends may come and go, but sisters are forever!

Enjoy #29!

Love always

 - D

Oh - and I sure did copy my cousin Livy who is posting

tributes to special people on their day...

Lovely idea - imitation is an honor - didn't you know? =)

Monday Musings

Updated editor for posting is way cool.

I could not figure out how Livy could center-align her posts as she did.

Because I have "insider" knowledge of her blog,

I checked her new post set-up.

It had way more editing tools than my blog.

So, "light-bulb" moment -

I checked my blog settings and

sure enough "old editor" had the circle filled in.

Now that I have the updated version,

I just had to post something with centered words.

I also received another box of goodies from Amazon today.

On-line shopping is so convenient and

I definitely used it to narrow my Christmas shopping list.

And should I mention that - my  - personal wish list has dwindled some.

I have this post started about good deals -

I might include a few on-line deals.

But the Christmas presents will have to wait until later...

On to more musings -

A thoughtful church member mentioned that
I had a headlight out Sunday.

No wonder I had trouble seeing at night
when I had to dim my lights.

On top of that, the oil change hit the overdue
mark SEVERAL days back.

So, my dear daddy came home today

with a headlight bulb, an oil filter, and some oil.

He changed all that, fixed my car up for now.

(Even though it could sure use a bath and a vacuum job.)

I just have to pay him back of course.

A few more things to add to my thankful list though.

So anyways, I have to go find some food.

My mom is several hours away -
with her mom - who had surgery today.

Thankful that everything went well.

And I also have to get started on this wedding photo-editing.

Here's something I love about slr cameras:

focusing on something and blurring the background like this...

The photo does not lie - I finally have opaque colored lens again.

I thought about green or brown.

But, I decided to go with blue again.

These lens lighten my dark blue eyes.

And that is just another small thing that makes me smile.

Cheers to Monday evenings!

wedding shoot, stress + thanks

High-stress days preparing for the wedding shoot.
And now I am relaxing on Sunday.

Several texts, comments, and well wishes sent my way are much appreciated.
With my bro-in-law's "co-shoot" help, I survived the wedding.

Now, I have many "to-do" items to catch-up on while also trying to sort through over 1300 photos from both cameras.

And because I am not posting wedding shots until the bride&groom views them, I thought I would share a photo from the bridal portrait shoot.




But since the wedding is over, I CAN go over to my photography site and unlock that album now. However, I think I might just wait until tomorrow.
It is time to get ready for PM church this Sunday and I have some things to wrap up for our youth choir's practice.

I kept my dates with archived pictures, with idea-giving photographers' sites, and with my prayers. I think they helped....rather, I know they did.

So thankful God hears and answers, and pays attention to even the little details.

Thankful Thursday

"Give Thanks" is the outlook I want to cultivate before Thanksgiving.
And then continue.

Of course I have this list started, but today I am just
thankful to "feel better."

Yesterday, I felt AWFUL.
And I still have this lingering cough.
But overall, I think I will be okay.
I need to feel okay, because I have this wedding photo job Saturday.

And...

Because I want to post a picture - I am also thankful for eBay.
Apothecary jars are everywhere in the decorating world these days.

A few weeks ago, I happened to see a listing
for two jars that matched Java Blue.

Excitement builds anytime that I see that my bid wins.

Especially in this case, because these two jars perfectly match
some of the colors I am using in the CREEPING bathroom makeover.



Pretty finds.
I smile.

Good deals.
I give thanks.

Feeling better.
No price tag.

Wedding Jitters

Not mine though.
Bummer. :(

But I am not really sad.
Actually just searching for humor. :)
Because I am nervous.

It is time for another wedding job.
And I am looking over poses and ideas.

My first wedding was for a friend.
I am grateful for her trust.
Mistakes a plenty.
Triumphs too.

I like this:



and this:



Why do I like this?

A tee-niny detail makes me smile.
The background is nicely blurred.
And the detail is on the small frame.
The handwriting is a special touch from the bride.
Handmade adds an extra something to the day.
And those lights from the Christmas tree - this result is called bokeh.
(Thanks to the Pioneer Woman's photography lessons on that term.)
Of course I took this photo before I learned that lesson.

After this December 2008 wedding, I "second-shot" or served as "back-up" for my brother-in-law for this March wedding.

I liked this because I helped create:


and one of my first Photoshop collages that I made later:



Taken in the "bride room" and deliberately focusing on "Butterfly Kisses" lyrics. Without her knowing, her dad planned to sweetly kiss her cheek after this song ended in the ceremony. No other thought but "awwwwww."

So this week I am researching pose ideas for this Saturday, for this couple's wedding:



My first "defined collage" - and I am not sure if I posted this before.
Either way, my prayer is that God will direct my thoughts and ideas to create some memorable photos from the sacred day as these two become one.

As I prep for my third wedding shoot within just ONE year, I would appreciate any prayers that you would send my way. Before Saturday's appointment, I have several dates to keep.

A date with archived wedding photos.

A date with on-line photographers' sites.

And a date with God to plead for His help.

And the "gifts" go on....

It is Multitude Monday again on Holy Experience...

I am in love with the piano music on this blog that pulls my thoughts towards beauty, gifts, thanks, worship, and God.
So, I finally delete an email I sent myself.
I find the artist David Nevue on iTunes.
And the music selection "The Gift" is downloading as I type.

Music wraps around my heart.
And I pull up "my" One Thousand gifts spreadsheet.
My last entry is #508 - "knowing that perseverance pays off"
The first entry on my list reads "God, my Father in Heaven"
To finish by Thanksgiving, I have to add around 30 "gifts" per day.

So while I have over half of my list completed, my Sunday School class is now at the 400 mark. With only two students in class Sunday, they added 102 items. Of course they giggle and come up with funny entries, but they have to think also.

Beauty is found in the little things.
Right now, I find it hard to see beauty in a few things.
But with a personal list and this Sunday School list, my heart is finding thanks for things I often take for granted...

That I woke up this morning.
That I can go to work.
That I do not have a headache right now.
That God listens even when I question why.

I have not checked for duplicates, but here is the update from Sunday School - see here and here for prior entries.

299 bargains
300 coupons
301 laffy taffy
302 wal mart
303 dollar tree
304 dollar general
305 squares
306 states
307 chair legs for support
308 memories
309 grapes
310 pills
311 plug-ins
312 electrons
313 wall paper
314 treat
315 juicy fruit gum
316 tic tacs
317 patience
318 goodness
319 sinks - without them, where would we wash our hands?
320 hot tubs
321 water
322 song books
323 streams
324 tributaries
325 science
326 language
327 presidents
328 George Washington
329 Benjamin Franklin
330 Narnia
331 knuckles
332 doves
333 body parts
334 black
335 blue
336 red
337 rainbows
338 The Ark
339 Noah
340 Job
341 Daniel in the Lion's Den
342 Moses
343 Aaron
344 Miriam
345 white
346 yellow
347 yahoo
348 yoo hoo drinks
349 discoveries
350 ice cream
351 temperature
352 definitions
353 dictionaries
354 parties
355 Rome
356 Greece
357 Jerusalem
358 America
359 United States
360 Canada
361 Indiana
362 funny names
363 smiley faces
364 oranges
365 peaches
366 strawberries
367 pears
368 apples
369 grapefruit
370 sticks
371 tangerines
372 chalk boards
373 dry erase boards
374 stationary
375 male
376 female
377 comedians
378 Oranges
379 rectangles
380 beards
381 jokes
382 wrappers
383 elephant
384 lion
385 bear
386 wants
387 vacation
388 Spanish
389 Chinese
390 Australian
391 accents
392 wordings
393 phrases
394 quotes
395 keyboard
396 sound
397 fenders
398 trumpets
399 mysteries
400 cracks

I laugh as I look over a few of these.
My heart is thankful for these children.
And we have 600 more to go now...

Waiting on Him this Wednesday

Waiting on Him today.
Which does NOT fit my personality.
I want to schedule, plan, "know" what I can do.
So, I try to understand.
Search the word.
Affirm his promises.

A few lyrics resound, like repeat mode, in my brain.
Just the phrase, real simple.
"While I'm waiting, I will serve You."
[All the lyrics found here.]

The song writer mentioned that while he was waiting, he was hurting.
That waiting is painful.
It is definitely not easy.
But he still hoped.

Here are promises.
And I can claim them for ME.
So can you.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

For further promises, these scripture references were posted with the song lyrics.

Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalm 38:15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

He will hear.
He will strengthen.
He will bless those that wait.

And so I wait.
I struggle.
Hope seems distant at times.
But He touches my heart.
And...I wait some more.


Oh - that I had wings...I would fly away...and be at rest
Psalm 55:6

Updating 1000 Gifts

I am updating the “1000 Gifts” project from my Sunday School class, from ending the last post on 36. They have a total of 298 - and I started my personal list as a competition with the class. I have 428 entries on my list and I have a goal to reach 1000 by Thanksgiving. By working on this, I have noticed that I am more thankful. I am trying to see the good instead of the bad. Although I have always paid attention to the details, I am even more thankful for the “little things.” My attitude is reflecting gratitude even more.

Here goes entry 37 to 298 from my class... I am trying to post before midnight to accurately reflect "Multitude Monday."

37 heat
38 support
39 air conditioning
40 colors
41 glasses
42 hearing aids
43 hairbows
44 hair nets
45 bees
46 sugar
47 flavor
48 senses
49 taste buds
50 Golden Rule
51 M&Ms
52 self-control
53 cleaning supplies
54 ships
55 Christopher Columbus finding America
56 Fruits of the Spirit
57 electricity
58 kindness
59 whippings
60 fire
61 joy
62 love
63 books
64 radios
65 parks
66 peace
67 papyrus plants to have paper
68 trees
69 soul
70 heart
71 shoes
72 protection
73 police
74 pilgrims
75 milkshakes
76 restaurants
77 doctors
78 trailers
79 church
80 fire dept
81 people
82 fellowship hall
83 youth camps
84 Earth
85 creation
86 campmeetings
87 Camp Pee Dee
88 teeth
89 toothpaste
90 dentists
91 gentleness
92 chairs
93 tables
94 markers
95 lead
96 pencils
97 fingernails
98 fingers
99 bones
100 legs
101 pools
102 muscles
103 snow
104 rain
105 sunshine
106 grass
107 inside voices
108 eye brows
109 medicine
110 thoughts
111 numbers
112 words
113 figures
114 toes
115 bosses
116 roads
117 North America
118 history
119 seas
120 clouds
121 day
122 night
123 records
124 insurance
125 cards
126 games
127 tapes
128 CDs
129 months
130 years
131 questions
132 notebooks
133 calendars
134 calculators
135 marks
136 cells
137 searches
138 animals
139 diamonds
140 counties
141 firemen
142 security
143 buttons
144 flowers
145 roses
146 mall
147 laptops
148 styles
149 lungs
150 arms
151 knives
152 guns
153 mouth
154 wheelchairs
155 jobs
156 money
157 weddings
158 thanks
159 staples
160 fun day
161 rights
162 laws
163 birds
164 horses
165 clocks
166 lights
167 air
168 holidays
169 wheat
170 blood
171 groceries
172 phones
173 moon
174 sun
175 stars
176 planets
177 fruits
178 veggies
179 meat
180 protein
181 vitamins
182 stores
183 mirrors
184 fishing
185 hunting
186 doors
187 printing
188 offices
189 sky
190 seasonings
191 toothbrushes
192 news
193 weathermen
194 scientist
195 names
196 desks
197 earphones
198 checks
199 accounts
200 keys
201 frames
202 crystals
203 fax machines
204 blinds
205 speakers
206 curtains
207 cotton
208 pharmacies
209 fans
210 shots
211 purses
212 nurses
213 cups
214 plates
215 forks
216 spoons
217 scriptures
218 lamps
219 hats
220 arrows
221 gum
222 stamps
223 door knobs
224 door holder
225 folders
226 bible characters
227 blankets
228 beds
229 flags
230 coins
231 trash cans
232 cans
233 stoves
234 refrigerators
235 paints
236 vines
237 tomatoes
238 bananas
239 magazines
240 newspapers
241 vases
242 wood
243 floor
244 carpet
245 walls
246 cabins
247 barns
248 whistles
249 service
250 closets
251 locks
252 lip gloss
253 cords
254 shoe boxes
255 paper shredder
256 yo yo's
257 glass
258 seasons
259 equipment
260 letters
261 rewards
262 rentals
263 stickers
264 employment
265 lakes
266 rivers
267 ponds
268 decks
269 fragrance
270 drinks
271 stages
272 stands
273 notes
274 braces
275 east
276 batteries
277 west
278 north
279 south
280 cannons
281 documents
282 crayons
283 crosses
284 lines
285 circles
286 points
287 music
288 labs
289 hospitals
290 rooms
291 swords
292 berries
293 banks
294 moniters
295 cameras
296 drawers
297 drawings
298 many blessings

702 more items to add....

Final Recap of October

The final days of October were filled with a family vacation weekend, Homecoming at church, and a week of revival.

10/22 - Thursday, we left for Surfside. My mama and I left with 3 of the kiddos (how I refer to my 6 nephews/nieces) - 2 of my nieces who are not school-age and my nephew who homeschools. After a lot of to-dos, arriving after 10:30 pm, and the unpacking, it was quite late when we ended the evening. Thank goodness for a Friday off of work.

10/23 - Friday. Not expecting an early morning, but a coughing little girl gags and has a "throw-up" incident in bed around 6:30 am. Giving medicine and cleaning up after accidents are definitely mommy-in-training experiences. =)
Finally back to sleep, and the other little girl is bright-eyed around 8 am. "Wake up, get up" - or something like that were her words as she peered in my face. I think I referred her to Grandma. Fabulous memories after finally getting up between 9 and 10. Drinking hot chocolate on the balcony while hearing waves crash on the shore. Walking to the beach. Picture perfect scenes. An afternoon nap. Ahhh - the enjoyment of a low-stress, relaxing day.

Some pictures from the day:

The two 3-year old nieces


Sweetness.

Beach bliss.

The memories wrap around my heart, a band squeezing tight as I thank God for the precious moments shared with these loving girls.

My heart smiles as I remember capturing this totally un-posed scene as they sit side-by-side facing the water. Both pony-tailed girls hold Tootsie Roll pops as they unknowingly create a picture of pure innocence.


And here is my miracle nephew - the first of the 6 kiddos.
He is so smart, loves to read, and reminds people of me. Big smile on that one.

Friday night, more of the family arrived. Talking, laughing, sharing. The night scene at the shoreline appealed, so most of us went for a late stroll (ended well after midnight) and even enjoyed some interesting crab sightings.


Especially the crab with a defensive attitude, provoked of course by some dirt thrown and some prodding by one of my dear sisters.

Look at those pinchers. Oh, the thankfulness for a camera to capture these memories that knit our hearts together in laughter and fun.

As everyone drifted off for a late (early?) bed-time, I enjoyed the silence to finish some photo editing, update my blog design (earlier posting), and finally shut down after 4:30 am. Crazy, right?

10/24 - Saturday moments will crystallize into one of my favorite days of the whole year. After a short night...Beach-time with everyone. Pictures of course.
(I would post more, but this photo upload has problems tonight. Will post on my photo website soon.)

Walking and running through the water with kiddos. Drawing in the sand. Feeding the birds is a must – luring them to our spot and seeing if they can catch a piece of bread thrown into the air.

Holding the family baby – the warm snuggly feeling of having arms intensely latch.

Satisfying the hunger increased by the salt air with a simple meal of hot dogs, trimmings, and dessert. Laughing over funny clips my brother-in-law saves. Leaving the kiddos with the guys and going outlet shopping with my mom and sisters. Funny conversations with the guys while we drove back and planned dinner. Hot now at Krispy Kreme. Chic-fil-A and Zaxby’s orders. “Munchies” time again – vacation and good food are kind of synonymous. Clean up time and food prep to take for Homecoming the next day. Simple pleasures of helping little children bathe. Brushing soft hair. Curling up with a child and blanket. Reading tear-jerker blog postings. Another late AM morning. Amazing Memories at:


10/25 - Sunday. Leave before 7 am to make it home, get dressed, and arrive at church for Homecoming Sunday, our 5th annual occurrence.
Different church service, singing, many visitors, visiting preacher, and a covered-dish gathering for lunch.


An afternoon nap and evening service completed the day.

10/26 - Revival week started. I hope to post sermon notes at some point in November. The messages inspired me to draw closer to God, spend more time with my Bible, prepare for the trying times ahead, and deal with the problems that I face now.

10/27 - A celebration before church for my nephew's 2nd birthday. I arrived late because I have to work later than most of the family. I did not see the candle scenes, but I captured the present-time and took a picture of the already-cut cake.





My sister at work again with cake decorating.

Cifford is one of my childhood favorites. I loved my "book-on-tape" with the song about Emily Elizabeth loving that big, red dog. Am I really already 24 years old???? I miss those childhood days with no worries, but it is amazing to see the memories I have surface in my nephews/nieces. Nostalgic moments there. :D

10/28 - Wal-Mart trip before church. After another good service, I came home and read a new release by Karen Kingsbury - "Shades of Blue." Interesting book, but I kind of expected a different ending.

10/29 - Blog help for others with some Photoshop tools. A phone conversation with my dear cousin Randa. Off to church again and a dreaded headache developing.

10/30 - Relax before church. Last night of revival. Some talking after church. Download some super-cute, free fonts - found here. Updated my header and forfeited some sleeping time.

10/31 - Picked up my first bridal portrait prints with a photo order. Whew - they were okay. Going with my mama to debate buying or having someone build a storage building. An evening spent cleaning and organizing at the house.
One kitchen blog tip I used - moving magnets from the front to the side. My mom's refrigerator looks so much better with just a few choice few on the front.
Oh - and I also planned our meals for the next week. I might include that in a later post.

And this is my current profile photo - but here is a photo of me to remember for the October 2009 archives. Photo credit to my bro-in-law Daniel, but enhancements are "my touch."


And that is how October ended - a typical busy month in my life.