The past couple of months have been pretty busy. We had four birthdays in October, which we celebrated at Lake Texoma. We rented a house on the lake and spent two nights there. It was so nice to have all of the family together. The kids had a blast playing together. They especially liked playing at the beach and in the water. I loved watching all of them enjoying each other!
The first Sunday in November, Dennis was invited to speak at the Hurst congregation. It had been quite a while since our last visit there. We really enjoyed seeing everyone and eating lunch together. We don't get out much on Lord's Day, since our congregation is so small. Although we always miss our little group, it was nice to visit with and fellowship with such a nice group.
The next weekend was Highway's meeting. Laura and her two youngest girls came down and stayed with us, as did Bella. We really enjoyed having the four of them here! Those three girls are such sweet young ladies. I love having young people around! We also enjoyed seeing everyone else at the meeting on Friday night and Saturday. Since we'd been away the previous Sunday, we really felt like we needed to be at Eastside on Sunday. (I had also developed a UTI and needed to come home and rest.)
Our 47th anniversary was on Nov. 19. We ate lunch at Cheddar's, which was a nice treat. Then we went to Weatherford Lake and hiked the boardwalk. Afterwards we spent a couple of hours visiting with Ricky's family. When we got back to Mineral Wells, it was close to suppertime. Since we'd had a big lunch, we decided to just go get ice cream at Braum's instead of eating supper. It was a very nice day!
We celebrated Archer's 3rd birthday on the 23rd. I made a Paw Patrol cake for him, and we went to Rick and Amber's for the party. It was just us and Charles, Linda and Troy. Archer was so excited! We all really enjoyed the day. Rick and Amber gave him a bike. He spent most of the afternoon outside learning to ride it. He did really well! Troy was so good at working with him and helping him. Dennis made him a wooden shotgun, which Archer had been patiently waiting for. He was so happy to finally get it!
The next day, we had Sheila's family over to celebrate Nam's 11th birthday. These boys are growing up so fast! I fixed his favorite meal (fried deer steaks and mashed potatoes). I really enjoyed reminiscing with him about all of the fun times that we've shared over the past 7 years.
Since this was our "off year" for Thanksgiving, our celebration on Thursday was small...just us and Ricky's family. It was nice though. As usual, Kacey amazed us all with her appetite! That girl was born to eat. She'll eat almost anything, too. She was definitely a fan of Thanksgiving dinner! I love babies' first Thanksgivings!
Two days later, the whole family gathered at Rick and Amber's to celebrate Kacey's 1st birthday. Amber did a great job with the cake and decorations. Everything was so cute! Kacey LOVED her smash cake and pretty much ate the whole thing. All of the kids played so well together and everyone had a great time. With 4 birthdays in October and 4 in November (within a week of Thanksgiving), we've had a lot of celebrating going on!
I've just been working on small projects lately...a few gifts and some crocheted ornaments to attach to Christmas presents. I also made myself a new bible cover. My old one was really OLD! It was my mom's and I started using it after she passed away (18 years ago). I don't know how long she'd had it. My new one is more "fitted" and doesn't have a zipper, which was important to me. I also made a pen holder/page marker.
Well, after many attempts, I gave up on trying to make frozen yogurt bars. I never could get the right flavor and texture. So I found something else that I enjoy almost as much...sorbet. I found a simple recipe and have made it several times using frozen peaches and mangoes, and frozen mixed berries. Since it is mostly fruit, I don't feel too guilty having it for a snack. And it is really yummy!
I have spent the last 4 weeks in a boot. I went to the podiatrist a couple of months ago. He started me out on NSAIDS, icing and stretches...as well as wearing heel inserts...to try to treat the pain I'd been having. Doing that for a couple of weeks didn't help, so he ordered an MRI. The MRI didn't show any damage to my Achille's tendon...just inflammation in the sheath where the tendon meets the bone. I've continued the NSAIDs and icing my heel, as well as wearing the boot to facilitate healing. I'm hoping I can discontinue the boot this week. It is definitely feeling better!
We are really enjoying the cooler weather these past couple of weeks. Fall was really late arriving this year. The leaves are just now showing much color. I am loving the frosty nights and cool days! I love getting up in the morning and turning on the fireplace as I drink my coffee and ease into my day.
I can't believe it is already December! Time to put away my fall decor and pull out my winter things. I got all of Stephen's family's gifts wrapped and delivered to them at the party Saturday. I'm trying to get Sheila's bunch's ready to take to them Thursday, when we go listen to Nam sing in the 5th grade choir at the NRH tree lighting ceremony. I'm still working on Ricky's family's things. Since we see them so regularly, I still have time to get their stuff together.
In a couple of weeks is our ladies' annual viewing of "White Christmas" at the Palace Theatre in Grapevine. I have a couple of other ladies who are supposed to be going with me this year. It is always a fun night out!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
2Co 9:10-11 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
