For A Good Cause

The biggest race in Memphis each year takes place the first Saturday in December.  It is for a great cause, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Isabella & I participated in the 5k.  It was her first time to do the St. Jude race & it was fun to have her with me.  

Before the race with FedEx Forum in the background

Ready to go!

Grizzlies House - housing for St. Jude families

We were entering the campus of St. Jude.  It was so emotional seeing kids & parents along the sidelines.  It meant a lot to have Isabella by my side, able to run.  I am so thankful for healthy children.

St. Jude

Memphis, TN 

Isabella entering Auto Zone Stadium for the finish line

We did it!  (our actual time was about 46 minutes).  Isabella said she was excited to beat her record time, which she told me was last place!

Isabella was excited to get her first medal

So proud & honored to share this with her

Go run/walk next year.  It was inspiring to be out there again since I didn't participate last year.  

And a great way to treat ourselves...Sonic :)

Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends & family! I am thankful for you!
Give thanks, today & always.

"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

Simple Fun

Last weekend, Isabella was able to go on a Jr. High retreat with our church.  She had a great time on her first Jr. High trip.

Off she goes!

Meanwhile, Brook had her sweet friend come spend the night.  I was able to have a relaxing Friday & Saturday because these two played so well.

Hope your weekend was good too as we are now almost at Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Trails

We were able to go on a trail ride at a friend's house today.  We all saddled up and set out for a 2 hour sunset trail ride.  It was fun with beautiful scenery.  It was chilly, brisk weather, but did become just cold and dark the last 30 minutes or so.  We enjoyed it and were thankful for the opportunity.  Here are photos from our afternoon:

These boots were made for riding!

Playing in the carriage

Playing in the wagon

Greeting the horse

And the horse greeting them!

Brook with her horse

Although he didn't smell too good

Isabella riding

Avery & Brook

Me on my horse riding into the sunset

Another Year Gone By

The days are sometimes slow, but the years go by so fast.  Another birthday came for me on 11/11.  It was a low-key, but good day.  I am thankful for the people in my life at all different stages.  I am praying for a better year ahead as I start another year of life.

Delicious birthday pie at birthday lunch with my parents

Sweet card printed off for me :)

Acts of service...my favorite gift!

Delicious birthday cookie at celebration with friends

Fall....The most wonderful time of the Year!

Fall....the most wonderful time of the year, or so I think.  It is my favorite season.  I love so many things about it.  I love the change of weather.  I enjoy even the warmer days, because mornings & evenings are still cool.  We have had many cool days in Memphis so far this fall.  I love the change of colors on the trees.  Those are my favorite colors.  I love all the comfort items...the warm foods, crock-pot meals, soups, hot chocolate. I love the comfy clothes, like sweaters, boots, & comfy pajamas. I even love that I can serve dinner to my family & be in my pj's....all by 6pm.  So not every night do I do this, but when we don't have evening plans, you better believe it!  A lot of the things I love about fall involve change.  Interesting concept.  This week, every day I had planned has included a major change to the schedule.  Reminds me to be flexible to change & follow what God has laid out for my day, not necessarily my own plans.

This, of course, is also a time of year we focus on so much for which we have to be thankful. This week, I am thankful for how God protected Brook, who had a minor head injury last weekend.  Thankfully, she is okay. Another thing about fall is the anticipation & preparation for the holidays.  Hopefully, the holidays will draw people to reflect on God & how He provides for us in so many ways.  I know you are thankful in your own life for so much.  I am thankful for you & hope your season of change is one that keeps you thankful!

Yum...fall colored M & M's!  My favorite candy 

Fall candles

Love the smells of fall candles too!

Daily

Costumes & Candy

This year on Halloween, it was a little different for us, but that's okay.  Normally, we go trick-or-treating with our neighbors & each year, we have met neighbors & it has been a fun night in our neighborhood.  We have some great people in our neighborhood.  This year, the girls are older, our neighbors moved, & it was Wednesday night.  The girls don't think too much about dressing up anymore, but it was a fun reason to wear make-up outside of the house!  They pulled clothes from their inventory & dressed up for the night. Avery took the girls to church & they got some candy there.  I stayed home, turned off the porch light, & rested.  Momma was not feeling good at all!  Lazy me didn't want to get up & down all night answering the door as bad as I felt.  I did get rest though & am feeling much better today :).

The amount of candy we now have in this bowl has grown since this picture was taken!  No worries.  It will shrink very soon....& we may grow :(

Isabella always dresses as her British hero, Princess Kate.

Brook was posing as "Ivy" from the tv show "Good Luck Charlie"