Giving Thanks

My family has a tradition to go around the circle after we pray before Thanksgiving dinner and say what we are thankful for. This year I am thankful for a lot of things, as I am every year. However this year, I am even more aware of my thankfulness to have my Mom here. I have been reminded several times during my life that life can be taken at any point, with out any forewarning. This year I was reminded again of how important it is to be thankful that you have those that you love in your life. This spring was a truly scary and stressful time for my family. When Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor, suddenly the little things didn’t matter as much. We banded together to pray and support each other. I am truly thankful to Dr. West and his team for successfully removing the tumor. I am truly thankful for the large and overwhelming support system that emerged through family and friends. I am truly thankful that my Mom is healthy and strong and able to celebrate Thanksgiving with us as if nothing happened. I am thankful for Mom’s quackiness, and her willingness to share her spiritual journey during that time with us. She is one of my best friends, and I am so thankful that she is in my life.

I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

I’m off to mash 20 pounds of potatoes….

Update...

My brother Pat was in town last week. He left on Tuesday to go get on a ship in CA that goes to Hawaii carrying cars and boats – LUCKY!!! It was so great to spend time with him and his girl Sarah. They are just so perfect for each other. They are one of those couples that you just know is meant to be together, so it makes me a little sad that their relationship is long distance, but it makes the time that they do have together so much sweeter.

On Saturday we went to Mikey and Ryan's wedding. Mikey (Michaeline) and I crawled together as babies. My mom was her first daycare mom when Mikey was only a few months old. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. The ceremony was full of life and love and so many personal touches. Mikey's brother, Taylor sang, and he has an amazing voice. The Priest that married them was a long time family friend, so he knew Mikey and Ryan. The reception was held at Lakewood Country Club and it was so nice. The food was good, the toasts were a true testament of the couple, and the dancing was great. Congratulations Mikey & Ryan- we wish you the best.

Nothing really new on the home front. I am getting SO excited to go to Brazil. I bought my two dresses for the formal nights, and the shoes too. I had to order a bunch of swim suits because apparently nobody sells swim suits in Colorado in November. I got the suits in last night and 2 of 5 will work. Jon and I are going to start tanning this week in hopes to limit the extent of the sun burning that is bound to happen while relaxin’ on the beach in Brazil. I only have 25 work days left before we leave- I can’t wait!!!!

I had Tuesday off this week due to Veteran’s Day. Thank you to all of our military personnel, your sacrifice is extraordinary. Even though it was a day off, I drove all over the city- I had to take Jon to work, Pat to the Airport, and then down to Littleton to drop the car off for an alignment, then back to Arvada for an Eye Dr. Apt, then home for a little bit. Then back to Littleton to pick up the car, back to Aurora to pick Jon up, and then home again. It was a lot of driving! The perk though was that I got to drive a new CR-V while our car was being aligned – it was so nice- it is on my wish list.

It's Christmas Card Time

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Stella has a boyfriend

Stella became a, errr.... full woman dog a couple weeks ago. She is starting her third week of the heat cycle and, well, lets just say that her new theme song goes something like "My Milkshakes Bring All the Boys to the Yard, My Milkshakes are Better than Yours". Her two new boyfriends are a little Scotty Dog, and a Dachshund. The Dachshund has been brave enough to come the the front door. Could you imagine if we actually let Stella go and play with her new friends- we would have Labrascotts or Dachshradors!

Happy Halloween

Jon and I went to the Martini's for a Scare-tini. Jon went as Brian from Family Guy dressed like a Banana and he sang the "Peanut Butter Jelly" song very well (click here for the original character), it was hilarious. I went as Dorothy- but no matter how many times I clicked my heels together, I just could not get home from work.