Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Whatever your day looks like, with old or new traditions, I hope it is an enjoyable day as you reflect on being thankful for God's many blessings to us.  Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving verses:

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

"Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise." Psalm 95:2

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!" Psalm 100:4

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving  let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Another Trip Away

It seems like 99% of what I post are regarding trips away from home!  Well, here is one more for the year. While Isabella & Avery were hunting, Brook & I got on the interstate again, listened to Christmas music, & headed to Brandon, MS to help care for my nieces & nephews.  Basically, I was taxi driver for a week! Seriously, I made 8 trips into downtown Jackson, & lots of driving to & from their school.  In the downtime, Brook & Eden got in some quality cousin time & we ate out a lot!

A little shopping together

A little school together

Brook & I  had a lunch date at Chick-Fil-A.  The food was pretty perfect...chicken nuggets, waffle fries, diet coke, & a mocha cookies & cream milk shake!  I have been wanting to try that for months since I saw it advertised.  It was worth the wait...delicious!  And I really enjoyed my company :)

Cute cousins!

At another lunch date

This is a picture of the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson, MS.  This is where both my parents went to graduate school & where they met.

It's never too early to think about college, right?  This 9 year old really wanted to go visit & tour the college of her choice, Bellhaven University.  I had to let her know most college tours are for high school juniors & seniors!  

We did enjoy a trip to the bookstore & walking around campus a little bit.

Of course we stopped for yogurt that day!

And the same night ate pizza!

Then we found Christmas decorations, had time to kill, so took photos :)

This was a meal we shared with 2 of my first cousins & my aunt.  It was great to see them all again.

While on our trip, I also had the opportunity to have dinner one night with one of my college roommates, but didn't get a picture.  Oh, and I went to see my first movie by myself...Captain Phillips.  The next day I took all of us to see Gravity.  After 2 intense movies, I'm ready to see a cartoon or sappy Christmas movie! Speaking of Christmas, decorations are going up this week!!

Oh Deer!

Watch out deer.  There's a new hunter among us....Isabella.  And this is what may happen if she finds you:

Avery & Isabella went on a deer hunt in Alabama this past weekend along with Avery's brother & his daughter. They had early mornings & both girls killed a deer!  I am so excited for Isabella & proud of her!

Thankful for Sweet Inspirations

We have some other sweet friends who recently moved from Memphis to Greenville (in addition to the Greens).  We have also enjoyed seeing this family on our visits to Greenville this year.  Stephanie was one of Isabella's Jr. High small group leaders at church. Stephanie spent time every week away from her own family to pour into the lives of 6th graders.  Isabella really felt a connection with Stephanie, & we all grew to love her & her family as we have gotten to know them better.  I always say, when someone loves on your child, they love on the parent.  I have been loved by Stephanie by the way she loves Isabella.  I am so thankful for her investment in Isabella's life.  I am thankful she still is willing to take the time to spend with us when we come in town.  It means so much to Isabella & I know it is important to her.  I am also  thankful for the other women who have served Isabella in the Jr. High department as well during her 6th & 7th grade years.  Isabella loves going to small group!  I so appreciate the loving, welcoming atmosphere for Isabella to come discuss biblical principles & scripture on a weekly basis.

Isabella, baby Jack, & Stephanie

(baby Jack's big sister, Nola, was busy playing at the time of the picture:))

Isabella & Jack 

Isabella's small group leaders last year

(from back in January at Isabella's profession of faith)

Greenville with the Greens

While Avery & I were at the missions conference last weekend, the girls stayed with the Greens.  We enjoyed our time there as well in between our commitments to the conference.  Here are some highlights of our visit:

They all went apple picking at Sky Top in NC

Brook & Lillian hosted a salon for the weekend.  

I had several messages, a foot bath, & even make-up application done.

They also entertained us with a dance routine.

The boys had their usual sparring competition.

They love taking Avery down & he loves playing with the boys!

Thanks Greens for another wonderful visit at your home!

Riding on the River

On the day of our yard sale, Avery & Isabella had the opportunity to go horseback riding to the Mississippi River with a group of friends.  It was a long day for them, but they really enjoyed it.  We were all so exhausted by the end of that day!

Missionary Living

We have moved!  We are now living in a missionary house as we prepare to clear out our other house & we are enjoying the extra space.

Here we are, day 1 in the house.

Day 2, we had a yard sale!

This picture was taken mid-morning, so after several hours of selling a lot of stuff already.  The sale was a success!

And we think the biggest highlight of this house is walking to church!!

Birthday Time Again

The 4th of our family birthday celebrations came this month.  It was my turn yesterday to celebrate another year of life.  I spent the day on a 9 hour trip in the car (more on the trip later), but it was good & relaxing.  I started my day with a good breakfast with great friends.

Isn't that great my birthday breakfast includes a box of Milk Duds?  That was a special touch from the kids :)   

Birthday morning with the Greens

Love this family! 

Even got a cupcake!

We had a good lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants I just learned about this year. We ate at the location in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chuy's Mexican Food

Thankful for these fun people to spend my birthday with

My delicious lunch

For dessert, we stopped outside of Birmingham for some afternoon yogurt.  Clearly food was a theme of my birthday!

Love my girls

Thank you to those who have been a part of my life these past 43 years.  I am thankful for all the people God has put in my life at different seasons.  Even though life is hard & not always as pretty as a picture on a blog, I am blessed beyond measure, no doubt, & am thankful for the people who I share my life with here. So thank you family & friends for loving me & encouraging me yet another year.

Installment #5 - last edition

This is the last in the installment series of Isabella's photos.  Today is a photo shoot she took of Brook.  All Brook & Isabella did a great job with her photography.