What a wonderful time we are having with our family. Here is a peek into our Christmas day:
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Day
What a wonderful time we are having with our family. Here is a peek into our Christmas day:
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
This year, our family decided to try something new with our Thanksgiving meal. Okay, actually I came up with the idea. It was a good one, and I think it all went well. Here it is: Everyone is to take ownership of one of the food items. It was their responsibility to find the recipe, gather the ingredients, prepare the item, clean up after themselves, and present the dish on the table. Since this was just the first year, it went fairly well. I kept charge of the turkey and gravy and made a sesame asparagus salad; Craig decided to bake sweet potato casserole; Bethani cut up the bread and baked the cornbread for the stuffing; Jeremi was in charge of the mashed potatoes (and did a great job even without a mixer)(wouldn't you know it, our Kitchenaid died just one month ago); and Tiffani and Jeremi together made the Cranberry chutney. Our new friend, Jason Talley joined us for our Thanksgiving meal, and he brought a chicken shepherds's pie.
When we sat down, (after taking multiple pictures) we followed our tradition of passing around the taper candle, and listing the things we were most grateful for. We were all grateful for the things that we have: the Holy Ghost, truth, family, friends, home, things. I added this year the things I was grateful for things that I don't have: sickness, disease, poverty, debt, etc.
After all of the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, we did what we always do: Sit in the living room floor surrounded by the sale ads, and map our our plan of action for the next day. It seems every year we are waking earlier and earlier to seize the opportunity of sales. This year was no exception. Craig was up first, and headed to Walmart for the $130 Kitchenaid mixer to replace ours. Because there were only six mixers, and several greedy people, he did not push and shove to get one of those, but he and Bethani did get a GREAT bargain on one at Kohls. Tiffani and Jeremi went to Firewheel mall with Jason, (apparently Aldo was having an incredible sale) and I went to several stores that I can't mention (don't want to spoil any surprises).
God has truly been good to us this year, and we are so thankful.
The day after Thanksgiving, Homestead Heritage always has a huge craft festival, and this year was our second year to enjoy it. Click HERE for last year's experience. This year we enjoyed the various choirs, and the very skilled orchestra and craftsmen. Also, the kids handcrafted some Christmas gifts (shhh)and enjoyed some organic, (somewhat) healthy treats. The simplicity of the lives of those at Homestead Heritage is always enticing and inspiring. After hanging around them for a couple of days, we came home with a desire for greater godly character.
We stayed Friday night in an RV, and for Craig and I it was the first time since we had sold ours. What great memories and flashbacks that inspired. Some day...
Saturday night we were in our own beds, and Sunday morning we traveled to Gunbarrel City for church. We are true Texans now that we have been to Gunbarrel City. And, what an initiation some of us got! I won't go into all of the details except to say that it included two girls, four wheels, and a lake; a boy and a broken chain; a very windy day, mud, shivers, scratches, and bruises. (Don't worry Grammy and Nana, the only thing really hurt was a little pride.) (I don't know why, but they have invited us back for an Easter weekend that includes a tail, a mane, and four legs. I'll be sure to post about that.)
When we sat down, (after taking multiple pictures) we followed our tradition of passing around the taper candle, and listing the things we were most grateful for. We were all grateful for the things that we have: the Holy Ghost, truth, family, friends, home, things. I added this year the things I was grateful for things that I don't have: sickness, disease, poverty, debt, etc.
After all of the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, we did what we always do: Sit in the living room floor surrounded by the sale ads, and map our our plan of action for the next day. It seems every year we are waking earlier and earlier to seize the opportunity of sales. This year was no exception. Craig was up first, and headed to Walmart for the $130 Kitchenaid mixer to replace ours. Because there were only six mixers, and several greedy people, he did not push and shove to get one of those, but he and Bethani did get a GREAT bargain on one at Kohls. Tiffani and Jeremi went to Firewheel mall with Jason, (apparently Aldo was having an incredible sale) and I went to several stores that I can't mention (don't want to spoil any surprises).
God has truly been good to us this year, and we are so thankful.
The day after Thanksgiving, Homestead Heritage always has a huge craft festival, and this year was our second year to enjoy it. Click HERE for last year's experience. This year we enjoyed the various choirs, and the very skilled orchestra and craftsmen. Also, the kids handcrafted some Christmas gifts (shhh)and enjoyed some organic, (somewhat) healthy treats. The simplicity of the lives of those at Homestead Heritage is always enticing and inspiring. After hanging around them for a couple of days, we came home with a desire for greater godly character.
We stayed Friday night in an RV, and for Craig and I it was the first time since we had sold ours. What great memories and flashbacks that inspired. Some day...
Saturday night we were in our own beds, and Sunday morning we traveled to Gunbarrel City for church. We are true Texans now that we have been to Gunbarrel City. And, what an initiation some of us got! I won't go into all of the details except to say that it included two girls, four wheels, and a lake; a boy and a broken chain; a very windy day, mud, shivers, scratches, and bruises. (Don't worry Grammy and Nana, the only thing really hurt was a little pride.) (I don't know why, but they have invited us back for an Easter weekend that includes a tail, a mane, and four legs. I'll be sure to post about that.)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Happy 17th Birthday Tiffani!!
Nana and Papa flew in one week early to begin the celebration week. We ate at her favorite restaurant: Macaroni Grill. What a blessing to have family that is so involved in our lives!
What a great week she had. It started with her favorite: riding horses.
Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Even when the horses started running and it didn't look like they were going to stop. Even when the horses had them pressed against the barbed wire fence. Even when it was bumpy. Even when they got off and could hardly walk. Even when, one week later, ankles are battered and bleeding from the ride. They say, "It was worth it."
It is hard to buy surprises for a teenager, so she knew most of her presents.
We did manage to surprise her with a jacket that she had been drooling over. "The White Jacket"
The day after her birthday, Nana flew in again for a day of shopping and lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant. What fun that was, just the girls. After we took her back to the airport, Tiffani and I finished up our shopping at Arlington Mills.
Well, she is 17 now. A beautiful 17! It seems to agree with her. Her spirit is as beautiful as she is, and I love her.
What a great week she had. It started with her favorite: riding horses.
Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. Even when the horses started running and it didn't look like they were going to stop. Even when the horses had them pressed against the barbed wire fence. Even when it was bumpy. Even when they got off and could hardly walk. Even when, one week later, ankles are battered and bleeding from the ride. They say, "It was worth it."
It is hard to buy surprises for a teenager, so she knew most of her presents.
We did manage to surprise her with a jacket that she had been drooling over. "The White Jacket"
The day after her birthday, Nana flew in again for a day of shopping and lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant. What fun that was, just the girls. After we took her back to the airport, Tiffani and I finished up our shopping at Arlington Mills.
Well, she is 17 now. A beautiful 17! It seems to agree with her. Her spirit is as beautiful as she is, and I love her.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bumper Crop of Tomatoes
Just when we thought that the season was over, our tomato plants came to life! Thus far it seemed that it was a futile attempt, but they came through after all. Bethani has assumed the job of resident cherry tomato picker.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Deafblind Camp
This is one of the new passions in my life. I have learned to love and appreciate Deafblind people and their culture.
Just last week, Tiffani and I joined 4 other friends and colleagues and drove with our teacher to Eunice, Louisiana for a 4-day, 3-night excursion. We volunteered as SSP's, (Support Service Provider) and gave these precious people the freedom to do what hearing/sighted people do. We played hot potato with water balloons, went to the local fair, rode scary carnival rides, and went rock climbing and horse back riding. You know, what you might expect from a Deafblind camp.
We met so many wonderful new friends. I especially appreciate the amazing attitude of the special speaker, Kim Powers-Smith. Kim was born Deaf, and because of Usher Syndrome has become, in her adult life, completely blind. She is absolutely one of my favorite people. There is very little that Kim is not willing to try. She has been scuba diving, on the scariest roller coaster and carnival rides, bungee jumping, and even jumped out of an airplane!! Fearless she is!!!! There is nothing that stands in her way, and she is not looking for an excuse or pity. Amazing!!
Tiffani and I followed Kim and Judy (her personal SSP for the week) at the fair just observing and learning from them. Together they function as one person. Judy is Deaf, and provides Kim with all of the visual clues around them. When the day was almost over, Judy said that her hands were tired and asked me to take over. I was stunned, honored and challenged. I did not, however, realize how difficult it really was. After all, Judy made it look so easy. (Isn't that the way it goes with anyone who is very skilled? They make it look so easy and effortless.)
I offer my apologies now to Kim for all of the errors I made. I forgot to warn her of the metal strip at the gate, and she almost tripped. I didn't tell her in advance that we would be climbing a rather steep ramp followed by a set of stairs to get to the ride. I did not adequately explain the buckets they were to ride in, and she bumped her head. I made many errors. But, true to form, Kim took it all in stride. Judy was right there to give me instant feedback. What a treasure. I believe I learned as much in that 1 1/2 hours as I did the whole week combined.
Tiffani enjoyed the week as much as I did. (Well maybe not as much as me.) She certainly had as much "hands on" practice as I did. It was a great weekend that we will never forget. Now, only 358 days until Deafblind camp 2009!
Monday, October 6, 2008
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