I love November!

 November has been a pretty busy month socially. The weekend of the 11^th, we attended the Friday and Saturday activities at Highway. It was so good to see everyone and hear the good lessons and enjoy the wonderful singing. I had forgotten how good the acoustics are there. Of course, having a full building really helps, too! We really appreciated Jamie and Renee opening up their place for everyone to come out and enjoy the fellowship (and food!).

On the 16^th, Diane and I met for lunch in FW and then went to the movie theatre to watch “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I love that movie, and it was even better on the big screen! I was surprised to see a pretty full theatre…especially since we attended the 1:00 matinee. It wasn’t just us old folks either. There were quite a few young adults present. I’m glad to see the younger generation appreciate such a wonderful classic movie. As always, I really enjoyed my time with Diane. Looking forward to watching “White Christmas” with her next month!

I’ve been struggling with carpal tunnel problems for a few years now. It has gotten increasingly worse in the last year or so. So I went to my orthopedic surgeon on the 22^nd to see what needed to be done. He is going to do surgery to “release it” on the 7^th of December. The recovery time is supposed to be quite short…about 2 weeks. He said it may take a little longer than that until I’m comfortable clipping my rag quilts, but I shouldn’t have any trouble sewing. I’m looking forward to getting that taken care of! Right now my hand goes numb whenever I knit or crochet or do any handwork. I have to do those things in short spurts with recovery time in between.

This week has been wonderful! *Sigh* It began last weekend with Ricky, Amber and Archer spending a couple of nights with us on their way to NM. We spent the day Saturday shopping, visiting with Linda and Charles, and then finished up by driving through “Radiance!”, the light display at the Parker County Sheriff Posse grounds. We were afraid that Archer would sleep through it, but he was mesmerized! He is so much fun, and we love every minute we get to spend with him! They went to church with us at Eastside and then headed west after lunch. Archer was quite the hit with our bunch!

Our anniversary actually fell on the weekend that Ricky's family were here. 45 years together! We are going to have a little delayed celebration next Saturday. My kiddos gave me an early Christmas present of season tickets to the Bass Hall Broadway Series. The first performance will be "My Fair Lady" on 12/3. I am SO excited!!! It has been AGES since I got dressed up and went to something like that. 

We had a small Thanksgiving gathering this year. All of my kiddos were celebrating with their in-laws, so we invited friends and family that might not have other plans to come. Most had other plans or didn’t feel up to getting out, so there were just four of us, but we had a great visit and tons of food! I loved being able to finally cook a REAL Thanksgiving dinner again.

After our guests left, I baked and decorated Nam’s birthday cake. His birthday is today, so his family came over to celebrate. I fixed his favorite soup (Zuppa Tuscana) and Sheila brought some delicious homemade bread to go with it. Nam had requested a cake that looked like a volcano, so it wasn’t too complicated. He loved it! And I was FINALLY able to give him his rag quilt that I made him months ago. He was quite pleased with it. We really enjoyed the day with him and Sheila and Matt! We are now looking forward to having a sleepover again when he’s off on Christmas break next month.

Enjoying his gifts

9th Birthday Volcano Cake

Big Cat Rag Quilt

We haven't done much on the house this month. We got in the base for our shower this past week, so Dennis will start working on it probably next week. We still need to go pick out the tile that we want. We will probably go next week to get that. In the meantime, Dennis has done a little hunting, bringing in 2 deer so far. We sent some meat home with Sheila and Matt to free up space in our freezer, so he plans to go out again this next week. I cooked up one batch of jerky before Ricky and Amber's visit, but I still have 2-3 more batches to do from last year's meat supply. It took so long for the weather to cool off enough to run the oven for hours! We ought to have some good days over the next couple of weeks to make up the rest.

I hope that you all have enjoyed this special week with family and friends and took time to be thankful for the many blessings that we enjoy!

Ps 100:3-5 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)

A Whole Lot of Celebrating Going On

All weekend the song, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, has been going through my head. We had such a special time!

I finished Nam’s cake before lunch Friday morning. After lunch, we loaded up and headed to Sheila’s to deliver it. I had sent a picture to Sheila to show Nam, so I didn’t get to see his initial reaction, but she said he was SO excited! I’m glad he was pleased. This was the first cake that I have done since Sheila’s wedding, so I was nervous about being so out of practice. Thankfully, everything went according to plan!

I love his fierce expression!

After a short visit, we decided to go watch a movie matinee. I love it when we are the only people in the theatre! After a busy couple of days, it was nice to put my feet up (the theatre had recliners) and chill for a couple of hours. It was time for supper by time we got out of the movie, so we went to Red Lobster to use a gift card that Dennis had. I decided to splurge, since it was our anniversary, and ordered the filet mignon (it was also about the lowest in calories of anything on the menu!). It was SOOO good! I even ate one of the garlic cheddar biscuits. My mouth and tummy were very happy.

I had rented us a room at a hotel in Hurst, so we wouldn’t have to do the extra driving (going back to MW, then returning to NRH the next day). Plus we enjoy having a night out occasionally…especially on our anniversary. The room was amazing! I usually try to get rooms with a sitting area, but this one had a huge comfortable sectional sofa…with an incredible ottoman. We both rested very well!

After a good night’s sleep and breakfast, we decided to do a little shopping. We were close to a woodworking store that Dennis likes, so we spent about an hour browsing around there. I’m not at all interested in the tools, but I enjoy looking at all of the beautiful woods! We had a light lunch at Whataburger (I HAVE to have my weekly Whataburger Jr!), then headed on over to Sheila’s for the day. We were early, so we had time to do a lot of visiting before the other guests arrived. It was all family, both Gerralds and Joiners, plus Jessica and Stacey (who I think of as family). The day was perfect! Sheila and Matt had set up various games for the kids in the front yard. They had a blast! The temperature was a little warmer than some of us expected, but it was great for spending the afternoon outside. It was so nice having all of my grandkids together again (minus the one who hasn’t made his appearance yet)! I love seeing the bond that is developing between the three boys. They are all so close in age and enjoy each other so much!

We were the last to leave the party and head towards home. We made a few stops on the way home, looking for a couple of things we’re needing (or wanting). Then we grabbed a quick bite at Chicken E and settled back in at home. I went way over my calorie budget for the day, but I had been way under the day before, so it pretty much balanced out. Then when I got up this morning, I had dropped that final pound to reach 40 pounds lost! YAY! I’m not going to worry about losing over the remainder of the holiday season…just maintain what I’ve done. I’m almost at my halfway point, which is a good spot to coast for a few weeks.

We are excited to see what this week brings. Archer can decide to come at any time now. We plan to be ready to leave whenever we get the call. I have a few tentative plans for the week, but nothing that can’t be dropped at the last minute. My arms are aching to hold a new grandbaby! That is something to be thankful for!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!

Celebrations and Preparations

Jesse has turned 2!  Time is going by so fast.  I spent all day Thursday making his birthday cake, then we drove to Paris that evening.  Thanks to Mandy and Stephen for entrusting this job to me.  I know my skills are rusty after 11 years of being away from the business.  I do enjoy being able to do cakes for my loved ones though! 



Dennis and I spent Friday with Jesse.  He is so much fun!  He loves to play in the bushes outside…they are his own little woods.  There is one large stump that has been cut down almost level with the ground.  He heads straight for it every time!  He’ll just stand there with a thoughtful look on his face, tapping his little foot.  Sure wish I knew what was going on in his mind!  He is talking quite a bit more…with still a lot of jibberish mixed in.  He loves his ‘males (tamales) and rice…and PEACHES!  As with most kiddos his age, I think his favorite words right now are “mine” and “no”.  They all go through that stage!



Standing on his stump

We headed home Friday night.  Wayne and Mayrene were having their 75^th Anniversary celebration on Saturday afternoon.  Unfortunately I woke up Saturday morning with a bad sore throat.  I didn’t know if I was contagious or not, so Dennis ended up going to the party without me.  (I felt better today…no more sore throat, just a bit “sinusy”.)



Gift I made for the Darnells

We had a lot of visitors at Highway this morning!  The Hays were here for the anniversary party, and the Pettits were also up.  It was good to see all of them today.

Well, one week until my foot surgery.  There is a lot to do between now and then!  We are supposed to put the car in the body shop in the morning.  It is only supposed to take 2-3 days for them to get it finished.  I have 3 visits to do this week for CASA, since I will be “incapacitated” for the remainder of the month.  Dennis and I both also have dentist appointments this week.  Plus I need to give the house a good cleaning while I still can!

I hope you all have been enjoying this beautiful spring-like weather we’ve enjoyed the past few days.  Winter hasn’t finished with us yet!

Jesse turns ONE!

I was so thankful that we were able to make it to Jesse's 1st birthday!  I spent all day Thursday baking and decorating his cake.  Dennis and I got up early Friday morning and drove to Paris.  I could hardly believe how much Jesse had grown since Thanksgiving!  I spent the afternoon putting the finishing touches on his cake and then playing with my little guy.  Mandy had baked a chocolate cake that she put a candle on, so he could have cake ON his birthday.  (His party was the next day.)   He had learned to show how old he was, but, of course, he wouldn't perform for us when asked to.  He is also taking a couple of steps...mostly going from one piece of furniture to the next.  He is more likely to stand or walk on his own if he isn't realizing that he is doing so!  He's also learned to turn the lights off.  This is an extremely funny thing to do!  I'd hold him so he could reach the switch, he'd flip it off and just chuckle!  Hasn't quite mastered turning it back on, but I was willing to help with that.

Sheila took off early from work and arrived about suppertime Friday evening.  She stayed at Stephen and Mandy's for the night, while Dennis and I got a room.  (Us older folks rest better in our own space...plus I'm still coughing quite a bit at night.)  Ricky drove up Saturday morning...arriving late for lunch, but in time for presents!  All of the grandparents and great-grandparents (except for Daddy and Bobbie) were there, as well as a few local friends.  Jesse made quite a haul in the gift department!  The hit of the day was the batmobile that Melinda (Stephen's assistant) had made from an old Little Tyke car.  She even made a batcape for Jesse to wear.  It was so cute!  He loved it.  He hasn't learned to make the car go forward, yet, but he can scoot it backwards.  He had a LOT of fun driving around the living room (with a little help from his family)!

Sitting in his chair that Aunt Sheila gave him

Batman!

We used the top tier of Jesse's cake for his "smash cake."  He really didn't know what to do with it.  He loved the candle...trying to grab the flame, as most little ones do!  Different ones tried to "help" him by putting his fingers or hand in the cake.  He would lick a little of the icing off, but he really didn't like having messy hands!  (Stephen was the same way!)  He really enjoyed the straws that I brought to use on the cake to hold up the "ONE" banner.  Dennis would blow through the straw into Jesse's face, which would set him off giggling!  That game lasted quite a while!  The straws were also fun to bang on things with and poke with.  I love how the simplest of things are so entertaining to a little one.  On Friday afternoon, Jesse spent a good half hour playing with a cup and block...putting the block into the cup, and then taking it out.  He rarely does anything without a block or ball in his hand!

While I had the help of computer savvy folks Saturday, I finally got my Skype set up.  I hope to use it on a regular basis, so Jesse won't forget what I look like!  I feel like he is old enough now that he remembers us from one time to the next.  It is hard to tell, though, because he loves everyone!  It will be fun, though, to see him and hear all of the new things he is learning from week to week.  He is at such a fun age right now.  I hate to miss any of it!

Everything in its time

Well, it has been about 2 weeks since my last post.  Things have been fairly busy.  Dennis has killed 2 deer so far this bow season.  We butchered the first last week and the second is aging in our garage refrigerator.  I’ve cooked a couple batches of jerky from the last of last year’s meat.  That stuff does NOT last long around here.  The last batch I made was pretty big, so I put half in the freezer so we’d have some to share.  I caught Ricky finishing it off the other night.  Guess I’ll have to make up another batch in the next week or so!

Dennis took me shopping for a computer of my own a couple of weekends ago.  I had pretty much decided I wanted a Lenovo Yoga…a cross between a laptop and a tablet.  We discussed the pros and cons with our favorite salesman at Best Buy and decided to go with it.  We had to order, since they don’t carry them in the store.  I got it the next week.  Spent a couple of hours trying to get it all set up and connected to the internet, including calling and talking to the tech support at Lenovo.  Turns out that the wifi card was defective and I have to return it to a service facility to get it replaced.  I’m still waiting on a FedEx box to ship it in.  Arghhhh!!!!  I thought technology was supposed to simplify our lives!

Mary is in a rehab/nursing facility in Weatherford now.  It is better that she is closer to home, but she is still having a lot of problems.  Continued prayers for her and Jim are much appreciated!

I completed the cake for the big 70^th birthday party for Sheila’s old boss.  I spent I don’t know how many hours preparing to make that cake…working on the design and pattern.  Then I spent 12 hours on Saturday…baking, icing and decorating it.  It was a 10” x 25” 2-layer red velvet cake with cream cheese filling.  The girls delivered the cake and then attended the party later in the day.  Everything went off well and the guests of honor were pleased with the cake.  One of the party activities was a flash mob.  I can’t wait to see the video when they get it uploaded to Youtube!

Dennis is off for 2 weeks’ vacation.  We left after services Sunday evening and headed toward Paris.  We broke up the trip, like last time, and spent the night in Mesquite.  (That hotel gift card is really coming in handy!)  Then we met with Stephen first thing Monday morning to go over our account.  Afterwards we bought his birthday present and delivered it to the house.  I took the stuff from my baby drawer to give to him and Mandy for baby Jesse:  a blanket and booties that Maxine had knitted, a bib that she had cross-stitched, the blanket that I crocheted, plus some clothes that I had bought.  Mandy is really looking pregnant now.  I’m really looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving.  They were given a gift of 3D/4D ultrasound that we are all going to go watch that morning.  Sure beats fighting the Black Friday crowds in the stores!

Dennis is planning to head out to Spur this weekend.  I’ll be staying home this trip.  I have a visit I need to do with some of my CASA kids on Saturday.  James and Renee are hosting a potluck at their house on Sunday, too.  I’m looking forward to that!

Well, I guess that is about all the news for now.  I hope the rest of the week goes well for all.  Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this weekend!

Ec 3:1-8  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted, A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Facing MY Giant...

The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy! I baked and decorated three cakes:  one depicting a llama farm (for a retirement party; one, a 3D Hello Kitty cake (for my 16 year old CASA kid), and the last, a castle wedding cake (never again!).  I also helped Ricky with a bake sale (baking a dozen banana nut mini-loaves and a batch of cookies, then helping work the sale); attended a court hearing, a permanency conference and started getting up to speed on my new CASA case...plus put together a court report for an upcoming permanency hearing.  The wedding was Saturday evening (after a nasty storm blew through the area), and then...Daylight Savings Time!  Joy, oh joy...how I love DST (can you hear the sarcasm dripping from my words?).  I'm afraid to say that I was pretty grumpy yesterday...just plain tired and burned out.  I tried to keep it inside and just not say anything, but I'm sure I wasn't the most pleasant person to be around all day. 



















Ricky introduced me to the show, "The Biggest Loser", yesterday afternoon.  It sure made me want to get my act together and start working out again!  I had been doing so well with my exercise program until last August, when I started keeping Caidem.  I've allowed one thing after another to keep interfering ever since.  I might exercise once or twice and then let it go again...never staying with it and allowing it to become a regular habit.  I gained back all the weight that I had lost since my hysterectomy and have really been "feeling my age" lately.  I'm hoping I can turn it around and stay motivated enough to get back to a healthier lifestyle!

This week should be much more manageable.  I have quite a bit of CASA work to do (having 3 cases really keeps me busy!), but I don't have any other "special projects" going on.  Then next week, Ricky and Sheila are leaving on vacation.  I will really miss the two of them, but that will give me even more time to get back into an exercise routine.  (I'm really bad about finding excuses!)

Well I guess it is time to "put my money where my mouth is" and get busy! 

Pr 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

Completed Project, CASA and Cakes

Dennis used his vacation time last week to finally complete our washer drain project!  It turned out to be a large, complicated procedure and took almost all week (along with installing a new garbage disposal).  He recessed the whole apparatus into the wall behind the dryer, which meant cutting out studs and framing and finishing out the area.  Then he had to join together two 6-gallon plastic containers and install an automatic pump to drain them.  He got everything completed on Thursday night but ended up cracking the pump while installing it.  He had had to go to FW to buy the thing.  Since he was REALLY wanting to go visit his mom before her surgery, I told him just to pick up a new pump on his way up to Arkansas, and he could finish the job when he came home.  (He only had one day to spend with his mother, as it was!)  So he got up Friday morning, cleaned up the garage, and went to Arkansas.  He enjoyed a good visit with Maxine and the rest of the family, and then got home about bedtime Saturday night.  Got the pump replaced Sunday afternoon, and now I have a fully automatic washing machine again!  Hallelujah!  After 2 years of babysitting my washer every time it drained (2-3 times a load), it is SO wonderful to just put on a load to wash and forget it!

I stayed pretty busy with CASA last week...and this week.  I was given a new case last Monday.  I went to see the kiddos and foster mom on Wednesday.  It was an hour and 45 minute drive to get to the foster home, so it took up a good half-day.  They were having a visit at CPS the next day which I wanted to observe, too.  I've also been working on applying for crime victim's compensation for my baby.  He and his sister will soon be leaving the state to live with a family member.  She is low-income and will be responsible for paying for all the therapies that the two little ones will continue to need (until she gets them on Medicaid).  This program will pay for the baby's physical, occupational and speech therapies that he will need to try to get him "caught up" in his development (we HOPE!).  It will also help with childcare expenses that she incurs while she has to work.  I met with the victim coordinator at the DA's office Monday, and she helped me get everything filled out.  Hopefully by the time the children are moved, the benefits will already be approved and available.

Saturday, Sheila and I attended our monthly roundtable meeting for CASA.  We had a program on human trafficking.  It was very informative...and eye opening.  It is such a tragedy that so many people have such little regard for others...that they will place vulnerable people into what amounts to modern day slavery.  The program not only raised awareness of the problem, but it also taught how to look for and recognize those who might be trapped in those situations.  It not only involves the sex trade (that is commonly talked about), but also the labor trade:  placing people into bondage in agricultural jobs, domestic jobs or industrial jobs. 

I feel almost like I'm back in the cake business for the next week!  I am doing a cake today for the post office.  One of the long-time clerks is retiring, and they are throwing her a party tomorrow.  Then next Tuesday is my teenager's 16th birthday.  I'm planning to make her a cake and take it to her.  She really wanted to be able to have her parents be with her on her birthday, but I don't think CPS will allow that.  So I wanted to make sure that I could be with her and help cheer her up a little.  Then I'm doing a small wedding cake for next Saturday (small but complicated!).  This is the most cakes that I've done in 10 day's time since I left the business. 

Speaking of which...I guess I had better get to work!  Hope all of you are surviving the harsh winter weather of this past week!

Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Count down to vacation

For a week with nothing planned, last week turned out to be plenty busy.  I got a call on Tuesday from CASA offering me a new case.  It is much different from what I've had to deal with so far...a teenager.  I had thought when I started CASA that I'd only want to work with younger children...teenagers are difficult enough without the problems involved with abused kids and placement in foster homes.  However, the conference I attended changed my mind.  When I listened to those former foster kids talk about their experiences and how much it affected their lives to have SOMEONE who cared, made me decide to venture into this terrifying new territory.  Anyway, I took the case and went to visit my new girl on Wednesday.  She had been placed in a psychiatric hospital (mostly for observation and holding until an appropriate foster home could be found).  THAT was a new experience!  But things went surprisingly well and we had a good visit.  She is being moved to a foster home today, so I hope to go see her again this afternoon to see how things look there.

Jim Fox has been placed in rehab in Weatherford.  He is still extremely weak, and his foot is still too swollen and sore to walk on.  This is really difficult for him and Mary.  It is nice having him closer to home...driving to FW was really hard on Mary.  I'm very concerned about him tho.  This is a tough battle for a 82 old man with COPD to go through.  Please continue to pray for him and Mary!

One of Dennis' coworkers was retiring on Friday and Dennis asked me to do a cake for the party.  So that took up much of my day on Thursday.  Friday, after my regular chores, I went to see Pam and had a really good visit with her!  She is doing better after her knee replacement surgery, but it is slow going.  She was able to make it to the assembly last night, but you could tell she was in a lot of pain by time services were over.

I have another prayer request:  Gary Bell is waiting to be approved by Workman's Comp to have back surgery to repair some problems that have developed from a previous back surgery.  He has been in a LOT of pain for a long time!  They are supposed to receive word this week about whether the surgery is a "go" or not.  They are hoping and praying that he will be able to have it this week.  He is pretty much incapacitated from the pain.

We had several gone yesterday at Highway, but we still had a nice crowd.  Ricky spoke that morning and did a great job.  He had me blubbering by the end of his lesson...it was very personal and meaningful.  Last night, Jared did a good job on his study of Exodus 17.  Our crowd was even smaller, but both Pam and Nancy were able to attend.  It was so good to see both of them.  Nancy has completed her prescribed chemo and will be going back to Chicago for a checkup toward the end of the month.  We are praying that the cancer is completely gone and stays gone, and that she will soon recover from the effects of the chemo!

We plan to leave on our anniversary trip this Saturday evening when Dennis gets off work.  We are really looking forward to it!  Dennis has 2 weeks off, but we only plan to be gone the first week.  He hopes to do a little hunting the next week, plus it will be Thanksgiving week.  It will be nice having him off and able to visit and enjoy family.

Hope all of you have a great week and enjoy this gorgeous fall weather!  (I wanted to share these gorgeous trees that are down the road from us.  I believe we are going to have some brilliant colors this year!)

Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Two Birthdays and a Wedding

Had a very busy week last week!  Chelsey's wedding was coming up on Saturday, and I was doing the wedding cake.  Then Rick told me he was planning a "surprise" party for Chris' birthday on Friday night and asked if I could do a cake for that.  Had CASA duties for most of the day on Wednesday, then started "caking" on Thursday.  Chris figured out the surprise party, and Rick was determined to surprise him anyway.  So he called Josh and Trey Thursday night to see if they could come down for the weekend.  THAT was the best gift of all!  The party was at the girls' house.  We built a fire in the backyard firepit, sat around and visited and sang.  At one point we heard a voice from the neighbor's backyard:  "Can you hear me?..."  "Yes."  "Your singing sounds beautiful!"  (We were worried...at first... that we might be disturbing them!)  Great night!

 



Ricky had planned to go with me to the wedding, but the last minute weekend company changed his mind.  James was planning to go by himself, so we decided to carpool.  I picked him up about 11:00 and we headed northeast.  We were having such a good time visiting that I almost forgot to stop to eat lunch!  We made it to the wedding site an hour early, which was perfect.  We got the cake unloaded and set up, and I had time to go around snapping pictures of all the pretty decorations.  The wedding was absolutely gorgeous...as was the bride!

Believe it or not, this was the wedding cake!  Hope everyone loved chocolate!

Nicole did a SUPER job on the groom's cake!
 

Stephen escorted Kit down the aisle.
 

Here comes the bride!
 

Mr. and Mrs. James Speed
 

The Bride's Shoes...pure Chelsey!
 

HAPPY PARENTS!
 

I was so thankful to have James with me, driving, on the way home.  We drove through heavy storms almost all the way...had to pull over and stop once, it was so hard.  We travelled along with the girls to make sure they made it all right.  Finally got home safely a little after midnight!

Sunday was Dennis' 60th birthday!  Because of all the hoopla over the weekend, we played it pretty low key.  Josh was our speaker Sunday morning and gave a GREAT lesson on "Proud or Broken"...the best I've ever heard him do!  We had a full house with several visitors, including Donnie and Tammie.  Afterwards we went out to eat at our favorite Chinese buffet in Weatherford.  Josh and Trey had to leave right after lunch to get home to their wives.  We really enjoyed having them for the weekend.  After they left, all of us came home and napped away the afternoon.  We had a smaller, but good crowd at services last night.  I think everyone was too tired for going out together, so we just stopped at Subway on the way home and rested up for the remainder of the evening.  It was a very festive and joyful weekend!

Mt 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.