Happy Thanksgiving

Count Your Blessings

Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., in Songs or Young People, by Edwin Excell (Chicago, IL:1897).

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Refrain

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We sang this song in church during Thanksgiving. I remember singing it as a kid - but never really listening or thinking about the words in the verses. How powerful they are to my life today! I also recently read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (www.onethousandgifts.com). I've started listing gifts and blessings that God has lavished on me. Counting my many blesssings - naming them one by one. What was true to Johnson Oatman, Jr back in the 1800's is still true for me (and you)today. GIVE THANKS! And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Quite the Tumble

I'm finally getting around to posting these pictures - but about 3 weeks ago Silas took quite the tumble. Shane and Silas were making ramps with some boards and riding their bikes over them (real smart I know...I found this all out after the incident). Apparently somehow Silas got launched and flew headfirst over his bike handles and landed on his face (mostly his mouth). He came in with blood everywhere...and I mean everywhere. He was really shook up. After cleaning up the wound and inspecting his mouth (all teeth still intact) he settled down...and no trip to the ER was necessary - phew! Basically he had a big fat lip for a few days...luckily some ice helped and he amazingly healed up pretty quickly. Although he looked quite rough for those few days. He also stated he was NEVER riding his bike again....

Now a few weeks later - his front right tooth is turning gray! He must of knocked it loose and it is dying. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. I guess we'll just have to live with a gray tooth until it falls out...at least he still has all his teeth until then :) Boys will be boys! And just so you know, he has already got back on his bike again....just no ramp jumping!

Nine is Fine!

Nine years ago today I gave birth to my second child, but my first daughter. A little bundle of joy we named Sydney Lynn. Nine years - can it be?? I say this every year - but it is so true - time is flying by....I hardly remember being a mother of just 2 little ones....but at that time it changed my world....(all for the better).

Nine years ago our world of blue, with trucks and balls changed to pink, with dolls and dresses!

We had a precious baby girl with blue eyes, and chubby cheeks.

Sydney at one...with little hair, but a piggy tail that stuck straight up, eating up her yummy cake. Quickly growing up - at two and oh so cute.
Time is flying by.....at six with a cake she designed herself.Then seven, longer hair and loosing teeth.

And today - NINE YEARS OLD. Sydney you are so precious to us. You are a beautiful young girl and we love watching you grow. You are getting so tall and I can hardly believe my eyes. You are a wonderful daughter, and we love you more than you can ever imagine. Happy Birthday Sweetheart - we hope and pray you have a fine year, being nine!

Birthday Dinner Party

On Sunday, November 13 - Virg and Fay hosted a Birthday Dinner Party for all our November birthdays. Fay made a wonderful meal that was sooo delicious - melt in your mouth wonderful! My parents, uncle Dave and aunt Phyl, and Grandma Great were also there to celebrate with us. It was great to be surrounded by so much family!

Who knew that a few birthday noise-makers (that didn't make any noise) could be sooo much fun. I don't know when I've laughed so hard!

Two grandpas together....having fun surrounded

by all those grandkids....I just love this photo!

Someone is definately having some fun!

Shelby with grandpa - she had just woke up from a nap and wasn't sure about all the craziness going on in the dinning room!

My mom and aunt Phyl - great friends
sharing lots of laughs!

Silas and Shelby having fun with those noiseless noise-makers....Shelby warmed up to the fun!

I love capturing the smiles....we were singing Happy Birthday....see Jer in the mirror???

Now these two (are they really my parents) were just too hilarious....oh I really should have captured it on video!

Can't you tell how hard mom's laughing.....

I think Grandma Great was thinking we were all a bit crazy! What to do with us!

Here is that other birthday gal....with her wonderful hubby!

Thanks Virg and Fay for opening up your home, cooking a wonderful dinner and hosting an even more wonderful party! It was a great way to celebrate a birthday - and so much fun having everyone together - and most of all sharing so much LAUGHTER! We are truly blessed beyond measure!

Ears Pierced!!!!

Both Sydney and Shaylee have birthdays in November. So for their birthdays this year I took them down to see my sister and the girls got their ears pierced! Almost two years ago we started talking about it, but decided that we'd wait until their 7th and 9th Birthdays to make it a special occassion. Needless to say they have been patiently and anxiously awaiting this for a long time.

Sydney got to go first....she looks a bit nervous.....

All done...but she's not sure if it still hurts or not...there comes the smile - and look at those pretty ears with sparkling earings!

Shaylee is up next...

She hardly even flinched...

Another smiling face with another pair of sparkling earings!

Thanks aunt Kerri for making our day so special!

Shaylee is SEVEN!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHAYLEE!!!!

Oh how the years have flown by! I can't believe you are SEVEN!

You bring so much joy, laughter, excitment, and energy into our family. We love you soooo much! God gave you an amazing spirit - and we love watching you change each year as you grow into a wonderful little lady.

Happy 7th Birthday ShayJ!