Sunday Snapshots

Thanksgiving 2011

We started the day off watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade at home, while I cooked my contributions to the Thanksgiving Feast. This year I made Fall Pumpkin Dip, corn casserole, green bean casserole, and squash casserole. We ate with my parents for lunch, and then went to Blake's parents house for a later lunch. We then went back and spent a little time with my parents. We had a great day just being together.

I thank God for his grace and faithfulness. He has blessed me with a warm home, food to eat, and a precious family. He is good. All the time. I pray that I live my life in a constant spirit of gratitude to Him for all He has done.

"I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises." Psalm 34:1

Sunday Snapshots: Thanksgiving Edition

Claire's expression in this pictures cracks me up!

Yesterday, after church, we had Freeman Thanksgiving at Donnie and Darla's house. Blake sat up this photo opportunity in the front yard. Lots of laughter. Lots of food. Lots of fun.

O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Psalm 95:1-6

My Mixer Makes Me Cry....

...not really. But, for the past several years during the Thanksgiving holidays, I cry. And I am always in my kitchen. Using my red mixer. I know that sounds crazy, but I know exactly why it happens. This year the tears came a little early. I usually save them for Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day was the holiday we celebrated with my Dad's side of the family. Sometimes we went to Kentucky to celebrate, because that is where everyone lived at the time. When I was about 10 or so, my grandparents moved behind my parents' home to retire on their property, and we celebrated Thanksgiving there. Every year. And I have fond memories of celebrating in their home. Good memories in that house. Funny stories. LOTS of funny stories about my family. Lots of laughter, turkey, UNO, Scrabble, chocolate pie. My grandad fussing at my grandmother and saying "Dorthea" really loud. My grandmother loved to cook, and so did my Aunt Joann. They were both really good cooks. They were sisters and bickered over recipes, which we all laugh about now, looking back. My Aunt Joann, Mom, and myself usually got up early and went shopping really early on Black Friday. On Thursday night, we would always scatter the sale ads out, and make out our game plan. We always ended up at Belk at Northgate first. She loved shoes, make up, clothes, perfume, jewelry and all things pretty and fancy. Random memories, but, oh so sweet. I could go on and on.

My Papaw passed away from cancer shortly after I started teaching in 2002. My Aunt Joann passed away with cancer shortly before Blake and I got married, in 2004. My Mamaw passed away with cancer in 2007, shortly before Jackson was born.

I lost 3 people to cancer in about 5 years time that I loved very much. Thanksgiving was the holiday I spent with them, and while I am SO thankful for all of the blessings in my life, sometimes it is also a very emotional time for me. I am thankful for their life, and for the memories they each left with me. God is good. I am blessed. I know they are in Heaven. I do wonder what they would think of our little family. I think they would love Jackson's funny little personality and Claire's sweet disposition. They would loved them both, I am sure. I wish Jack and Claire would have got to meet them, too.

My grandmother and mother gave me my mixer one of the last Christmases she was with us. I think of her(and the rest of the gang) every time I am getting our Thanksgiving goodies together. Hence, the annual cry. I think she would be proud that I know how to operate it. And whip up some pretty good treats.

Normalpalooza 2011

Saturday, we went the morning at Normalpalooza. It is a festival put on at Blake's school as a fundraiser. I wish I had my camera, but Blake took a few pics with his phone. Some family came in from Alabama this weekend to visit my grandmother (who is temporarily living with my parents). James, Sherry, and Sawyer stopped by for a little while. Sawyer and Jack loved the bouncy house and tricycle races. Fun times!! :)

Happy Birthday, Blake!

I believe Blake was quite blessed this year on his 32nd birthday. He had 3 seperate birthday festivities to celebrate him! Last Sunday after church, we went out to eat with his parents and Brad and Lydia at Outback. Wednesday night, I cooked one of his favorite meals for him (Spinach Alfredo Ravioli) and made him a birthday cake. After church his parents and Brad and Lydia stopped by for some cake. On Friday night, my mom made Blake his favorite meal. He loves her fried chicken (mashed potatoes, peas, biscuits, gravy, corn casserole) and she also had him a Paula Dean Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. I hope he had a great birthday week. I look forward to many, many more. I love you, Blake!

Happy Birthday, Abby!

Saturday, we went to Abby's birthday party at Pie Slinger's. We have never been there before, and I immediatly grabbed my camera after two people carried out the largest pizza I have ever seen. Crazy!

After eating pizza and cake, we headed over to the Pumpkin Patch Playground to play. Jackson and I have been before, but this was Blake's first visit. Such a beautiful place!

On my Own Two Feet

Little Claire finally pulled up last Wednesday afternoon after her nap. She is looking a little wild, but she is still as sweet as ever. Yay, Claire!

Happy Halloween 2011

Costumes:

Jackson: Dr. Wiley. This was his idea...we called him Dr. Freeman. He said he was Dr. Wiley. Funny boy.

Blake: The Patient

Mommy: Dr. Wiley's Assistmant and giver of shots.

Claire: Pumpkin (This is the same Halloween costume Jack wore back in 2008!) She had her first Kit Kat bar last night. Loved it!