Thanksgiving Eve

Wow! The day before Thanksgiving. Where has the year gone, and boy am I glad for a few days away from school. I can hardly wait until my entire little family is gathered once again at the Thanksgiving table. Jacob arrived home last night. Sarah and her family are coming tomorrow mid-morning. This will be Josiah's first Thanksgiving. I haven't seen the kids since last month, and I know they've changed so much--especially Josiah. This will also be Jessa's first Thanksgiving at Grandma and Granpa's house -- I hope she likes the eatin's.

I approach the approaching Advent season with mixed emotions, as usual. I love this season . . .the cooking, the choosing of presents, the decoration of the house and of course the anticipation of our Lord's birth. But on the flip side . . . massive social obligations, lots of work related things (church services, programs, papers to grade, report cards, decoration of the classroom...) I miss my mom a lot during the holidays. I always wish she could be here with us for these occasions with such strong family foundations.

For day 1 of the season, I have cleaned the house in anticipation of tomorrow's guests. My cornbread is baked for the stuffing, one buttermilk pie done, one cheesecake baking as I type, 6 eggs hard-boiled, rugs washed, clothes washing, and one apple pie yet to do. Plus dinner in a bit. Plus church later on.

I LOVE cooking a holiday dinner. I'm not sure why, but I get such satisfaction out of the whole thing. I guess just knowing people are looking forward to it makes me feel all warm and happy. Sarah's bringing two of the sides, so that will make tomorrow even easier. Plus there is the ATM vs. UT game and probably a Cowboy game to watch, and then dinner/dessert at friends at the end of the day. I can hardly wait!

25th Anniversary

Our 25th anniversary was this past Tuesday. We've spent a lot of time thinking back over the years of our marriage. Time seems to have flown by, yet also seems to have stood still. Weird how that works. We were just kids back then - really. Our parents must have been worried sick. Thank God for them and how supportive they were. Our pastor says he though that either I would pass out or Allan would hyperventilate. All I remember is having a vice grip on Allan's hand. He's still holding me up today:) So many joys, challenges, trials, and blessings upon blessings from God. We had a precious little place to live those first 6 months we were married. Dirt cheap (which is what we could afford)! The faith my parents must have had in us to co-sign on our first home. How we loved that little house. Taking our first income tax refund check to the mall and buying the dining table where we still eat every meal. I remember sitting at that table coloring and cutting out letters for Allan's 'Happy Birthday' sign on his first birthday after our marriage. (This sign still gets hung up each year on his special day.) I remember bringing home our precious baby girl and hoping we knew what to do. We did. We both finished college and had numerous jobs back in those days. I think back to all the things we packed 10 years later when we moved to Indiana. When we moved to that house, it took two trips and a Suburban. Jacob was born, completing our family. We lost two babies in that year before going to the seminary. Those babies would be in high school now. Allan's sister and her husband needed a house to rent just as we were moving. What a blessing not to have to sell a house at that stressful time. Our years at the seminary were full of God's richest blessings...to many to count...so many miracles. I was blessed to have children to watch in our home, allowing me to stay home. When we moved back to Texas 12 years ago, I remember selling my stove/oven. Allan had gotten this for me when Jacob was born, and it broke my heart to sell it...it was the best present, but there was no place for it here. Our years in Kingsville have been good. Allan's work here is good. He is well respected and loved by our church. I am blessed to teach in our little school - and to have been there during Jacob's early school years. Sarah met her husband here, and has a wonderful life and family of her own now. Jacob has made lifelong friends here. Somehow, we managed to grow up over these last 25 years. We still consider the other our best friend. There is no one I'd rather spend time with. Every day is a joy to wake up knowing I have another day to spend with Allan. God's greatest miracle was bringing us together 25 years ago. I can't wait for the next 25!

Wonderful Weekend

We just arrived home from a great weekend in San Antonio. It was a pre-anniversary getaway, and boy was it great! The weather was wonderfully cool (wore a sweater!). We walked on the river, at some great food. Shiloh's was terrific. Hotel was beautiful. They had a delicious breakfast buffet. Super nice to not have to go out to get something first thing. We slept late, napped, checked out downtown by evening and daylight. Super nice and relaxing weekend.

NOTE: There is not one place in downtown San Antonio to buy a book, magazine or newspaper. It almost became a quest. (Correction, we did find one place with basketball magazines and porn, but that wasn't really what we were looking for.) Maybe that's why they're one of the stupidest cities in America:)

Nobel Prize...huh

One Long Week

This has been one of the longest feeling weeks that I've had in a while. Allan had a conference Monday - Wednesday, and that just started things off on a bad foot. Jacob had been home for the weekend, but left Sunday afternoon. We got flu shots on Saturday, and I had a fever all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday. I was a bit overcome with loneliness on Tuesday. I called and chatted with Sarah at lunchtime, and that really cheered me up.

At work, I feel like I am barely hanging on by a thread. It feels as if I will fall terribly behind if I let up even a little bit. (You should have seen my stack of papers needing to be graded this weekend. - sigh

This weekend was taken up a lots with activities for our neighboring church's pastor's retirement. He had a very nice party on Saturday, and his retirement service on Sunday. Allan put together a beautiful service, and everything was so nice. It will not be the same without Gil around the office at school.

And now it is Sunday night...My lesson plans are printed, my parent letter done, my October newsletter written, class webpage updated...sadly - more papers to grade - or not to grade, that is the question...

Big Bang Theory

Now you guys know that we don't watch a lot of TV, and most of what we watch is old anyway. But this show, which for 6 weeks we haven't missed, is out of this world funny. I'm not sure why we watched that first Monday, but we are hooked. This show is laugh-out-loud funny. The characters are hilarious. Pretty much, a bunch of college science professors...total brainiacs...science fiction (think Star Trek) fans ...socially inept guys. Plus one normal, knock-out neighbor girl. If you've not watched this, you gotta check it out.