More thoughts

Thought I'd share my Thanksgiving.  I was lucky enough to get off early on Wednesday, so I made it home earlier than I had expected.  When I got there, the whole crew was there.  Dena was at Sherry's with Autumn, Eli, and Ethan.  I brought a soccer ball, some matchbox cars for Eli, a barbi watch for Autumn, and a little sound machine for Ethan.  When I got in the house, and mentioned to Eli that I got him a little matchbox car he said lets go get them.  We all played in the yard for hours, soccer and making up new games.  Then we followed Autumn as she wanted to play Follow the leader.  Even Ethan played.  I took a few random shots of them that day.  We all stayed up late, and played and ate.  Then got up the next day and went to my dad's for Thanksgiving.  All the food was delicious.  I took the kids out in the cotton fields and we all played outside.  Then I took Autumn to mom and Ray's and we spent the night out there, and watched movies.  I was awaken by the smell of breakfast cooking, and oh what a pleasant smell that was.   Andy came by later and brought Eli, and I took them on a few adventures.  Mama and me took them for a little walk too before I headed back over to Sherry's.  Grabbed a quick nap, and then we got ready and went over to Gina and Andrew's who had our whole family over for Thanksgiving.  A lot of wonderful food again.   Gina was so nice to have us all over there.  Cousin Christy and her husband Bobby came over and little Taylor Grace.  We had a housefull, Sherry took the kids over and roasted marshmellows on the fire, I think she ate more than the kids though.  The whole time spent with family just flew by as it always does, I always have to leave when I feel so at home.  Autumn tore my heart out with tears when I left.  She didn't want Uncle Derek to go.     I made it back home, Mike was working but made it home.  We joined the church on Sunday morning.  It turned out to be a bit of a stressful day that day.  Sometimes Mike and I just seem to bicker no matter how hard we try not too.  I dreamed last night I saw him as a little boy, and I saw myself as a little boy, those two little boys got into a fight, it was a strange dream because I could feel what both little boys were feeling.  I saw my little boy trying to make up, and say I'm sorry but his little boy just felt bitter, refusing to listen, turning on some music so he would not have too.  Then bedtime came and Little Mike couldn't go to sleep, he stayed up stewing over things, perplexed and confused.  Then my mama came to my little boy and offered a big hug, his mama came to him, and he crossed his arms not letting her hug him.  Then I woke up.    When I woke up I thought of many things, but most of all I was thankful.  I was thankful with my time with my family, thankful for all that I've been given.  Thankful that I have been forgiven.  Knowing I am forgiven.  I also find my heart being much more forgiving as well.  I think by forgiveness is the only way we can let go of any anger we may hold. 

I love my family

I enjoy watching my family.  From Lance and his new girlfriend Amy, Dena and Andy, and all their little smooches, too Sherry and Mark and all their hospitality.  They are great entertainers.   Mom is looking especially beautiful.  I love her new smile.  It was great being home. 

Walk down a dirt road

We went for a walk down the dirt road and we saw an old well out in the middle of some land, we walked up to it and checked it out. I wonder about the hand that laid brick for brick for their drinking water. Then I looked up and saw Autumn and mom looking at some birds flying over, perfect shot. Now Eli wasn't too fond of the well as you can see when mom tried to pick him up and show him the well.  We kept going and came upon a dropoff with a pond.   Autumn and Eli enjoyed throwing rocks in the water.  We asked them what kind of animals were out there and they told us everything from alligators to lizards and fish.  No alligators but plenty of the other I'm sure.

Cotton Fields

I took the three out for a walk in the cotton fields, Autumn and Eli loved it, but Eli wasn't too sure of it, the cotton didn't taste anything like cotton candy to him.

ThanksgivingDayPicture

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John's Weekend Assignment.

Weekend Assignment #86: Thankfully Remembered

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and, frankly, I don't expect to see too many of you around here on that day, so I thought I'd post a Thanksgiving-themed Weekend Assignment this Thursday:

Weekend Assignment #86: Who are you thankful for -- who you won't be able to spend this Thanksgiving with? This is a chance to tell us about the people you care about who will be far away from you this holiday, or who have passed on but remain in your heart.

Well the one that is still in my life, is Mike, he's working the day before Thanksgiving, and after, so he's not going to be able to make it to Georgia with me.  I'm thankful that his mom and him talked this week after many months of not talking.  So this is good.  I'm heading to Georgia Wednesday so am looking so forward to seeing everyone.  The people I am thankful for but won't get to spend Thanksgiving with, my grandparents.  Thanksgiving memories always bring them to life for me and my family, we often sit and revisit these memories of them.  Mema and Nana both seemed to enjoy Thanksgiving so much because their families were home with them.  I guess my mom is much like them now.  I'm thankful for all the many wonderful memories of Thanksgiving past with my grandparents, even the one where I gave the dogs the food I was supposed to put in Mema's refrigerator outside.  Why I fed it to the dogs I still don't know.  But they always love sharing that story every year.  I'm thankful for all the people I've shared Thanksgiving with in the past and they are no longer a part of my daily life.  I'm also thankful for all the friends I do have now, and they are with family.

Extra Credit: Pumpkin pie vs. pecan pie -- which do you choose for Thanksgiving dessert?  I'll take both, but I love pecan pie.  My mema made the best pecan pie, and my Nana made the best pumpkin pie.

Sunday

Oh what good food we had last night, we had our church Thanksgiving dinner last night,  Terri and George hosted it and their house was so, peaceful and warm.  There was so much wonderful food, my stew was a hit.  We all really had a great time, I was upset that I forgot my camera because Valerie and Rochelle brought their new addition, little Aaron Michael, he's such a beautiful and perfect baby.  Mike and I both held him and he was so sweet.  We made it home and I was tired and hit the sack, I dreamed I went to a restaurant, and Mike was dressed up like a big turkey, in a 3 person suit, he was the head and feet of the turkey but two women were the wings, maybe it was his mom and sister, but they were going around singing Happy Thanksgiving songs like Happy Birthday to each table, I woke up laughing.  This morning we went to church, and we had a nice service that seemed to touch us all in some way.  Our choir sang the song we've been practicing for the past few weeks, and my music was just shaking I was so nervous.  Now we're back home, time for some rest.