My Mike

This guy.  My partner in life, marriage, family, faith, community and even work, washes me in THE WORD, daily.  He is a steady rock; quiet, and faithful.
The Lord has truly blessed me with a precious husband for the last 30 plus years.

In sickness and in health, in hard times and joyful times, in abundance and lack, he has been faithful.

Thank you Lord for your graciousness and kindness to me, in providing a husband to me that leads me to you.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Let the decorating begin!

                      This is what happens when college friends decorate your tree. LOL

Thanksgiving Part 2

We had such a blessed day. The girls had friends over, and we did too.  All in all there were 27 people on Thanksgiving Day.  Our son Marc and his wife Ivy and our 3 grands came earlier because poor Ivy was having surgery right before Thanksgiving.  Everything turned out well, praise the Lord.

So here are some more photos of our day:

                                      Fun times

                      being social, I love Sarah laughing.

 chess, chess and more chess.

 Becca and Sebastian

Thanksgiving

Our last Thanksgiving guest just left. My heart is filled with joy for the weekend we had. May the joy of the Lord fill all of our hearts as we turn our focus to the ultimate gift God sent at the appointed time. The baby King who emptied himself and as creator, entered the creation.
The only begotten Son, the firstborn incarnate Son, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whom every knee will bow down to and tongue confess, that, Jesus Christ is Lord.

 Sarah and baby Sebastian

 Albina and James

 Sarah and Becca

 Truman loves Pumpkin pie.  A friend Carl... or 1/2 a friend Carl. LOL

 Our son Joseph

Erika and some of our guests.
to be continued....

National Pickle Day

Did you know that today is National Pickle Day?  I received a very important email notifying me of this very fact!
And my mind went immediately to about 10 years ago when I tried to make pickles.  Well, I didn't try, I actually DID make them, and I thought they turned out fine.

But the girls made up this song:
I felt it was worth repeating.... to make this day more memorable.

"Christie's Pickles are the best!
Serve them to unwanted guests.
Stuff your mattress with the rest,
CUZ
Christie's Pickles are the best!"

Love from my little darlings.

LOL

Its World Kindness Day

 This is the 65th Anniversary for World Kindness Day.  I am thankful for those in my life who have been so kind to me.  Today, is a day to recognize kindness and to be kind to one another.  Of course we should ALWAYS be kind, but I'm thankful for a day to recognize it.

 My son, who is a philosophy professor is wearing a "Mr. Rogers" cardigan to teach today.  I'm proud of him for standing out and saying, "Be kind"....

He grew up watching Mr. Rogers.  He wanted to imitate him, and would try to catch his shoes like Mr. Rogers did. He'd zip up his zipper sleeper all the way up, then back 1/2 down to wear it like Mr. Rogers.  We didn't DARE try to zip it all the way back up... "NO! Mr. Rogers doesn't wear it that way!" 

When I think of the word kindness, I also picture tenderness, gentleness, patience, and a gentle smile.
Children NEED us to simply be KIND.  They need us to be tender, gentle and patient.  And they need us to smile at them affectionately, so they know we love them.

I'm thankful for all of the lovely, kind people that speak into my life.

These Two!

These two crack me up.  They are my joy.
BUT

                                               Just as Erika moved out last semester, SARAH is
                                                        going to join her in January!

                                      This means I have to purchase another potted plant!
                                              
                                                                        AND....

                                       TURN SOMEBODY'S ROOM INTO AN OFFICE! :P

Albina and Sebastian

Six months ago, I had the honor of being at the birth of our grand son Sebastian.
Albina is such a wonderful mama.
Sebastian is growing, healthy and such a happy baby!

Sarah and I got to baby sit recently. :)

                                 Praising the Lord that He is doing so well and that his mama is committed to
                                 raising him. :)