Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble Gobble!

Once again it was another great Thanksgiving. We had so much to be Thankful for this year; friends, family, our home, school almost over, the break, our health, God's provision, bible study, and much more. Mimi cooked a great Thanksgiving dinner. (I just have to brag on myself a sec...this was the first year/holiday, probaly in my life!sad! that I was not miserable after eating lunch or dinner) I have turned a corner and I am on my way to my goal weight! Even with Holidays! We enjoyed the much needed break by sleeping in, working out, reading for fun, and playing a bunch of cards.

This year we made the looong drive to Marshall, Missouri. It took us 9 hours! Whoa! I haven't made that trip in a long time (not by car anyways!) We had a great time visiting my Dad's side of the family. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Mimi & Papa and the grandkids! (Emily and me)



Mimi & Papa and Bryan & Lindsey



Aunt Susie and Aunt Debbie!



(had to get this picture...if you know Bryan this does not happen a lot...Bryan reading a book!)

I SPY

Look who was grabbing some lunch between checking his list twice.

Lone Star Huddle Up!!!!

Check out Rexanna's Foundation blog to see pictures from the event. It was amazing! Thank you so much to all of the sponsors and donors!

www.rexannasfoundation.blogspot.com

Texas Style

We had a great weekend in Austin. So tired, but a great weekend! Will share more soon about the Foundation...stay tuned! Check out these yummy Texas waffles we had for breakfast.

YEEHAW!!!!

Well folks it only took 447 days to break Bryan in!!! Today was a big day, Bryan got his first new pair of cowboy boots. (I think he likes them, he hasn't taken them off at home yet!) He's lookin pretty good!

We will miss you Papa

As most of you know earlier this month Bryan's Papa passes away unexpectedly. None of us expected this. It was hard getting that phone call, we couldn't wrap our minds around what was actually happening. Questions begin running through your mind..I wish I was there, just one more time to see him, one more phone conversation, one more hug. Why do we always want things even more when we don't have them or they have been taken away? When things like this happen I always seem to start questioning God...why? I am coming to the realization that sometimes we will never know why, but we have to have a peace that surpasses all understanding, find comfort in God, trust Him and know that His ways are best, and that He loves us no matter what.

At Papa's funeral the entire message was about Papa's legacy that he is leaving. The legacy that is left through his wife, his children, grandchildren and the generations to come. Papa left a legacy. His work ethic, love for God and his family many times overflowed to the people he met and his family.

Nicole Nordeman's song I Want to Leave a Legacy comes to mind.
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy.

Papa left this legacy and this is something that we all should want to leave. Questioning God's ways never seems to get me anywhere. I always end up going around and around in my head...why..why.. Today is the day to stop questioning the maker of heaven and earth. Today is the day that we turn to you God, for strength, faith and hope. Renew and refresh our family with a new sense of purpose and hope to wake up each day and look to you first. We stop the voices in our heads that question your ways. Thank you God that you are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. You comfort us in all our troubles. Thank you that you sustain us Lord. Thank you for fulfilling our lives. Thank you Lord that your mercies are new every morning. Lord I pray that this family draw near and dear to you in this time. Clothe us with joy, Lord. Help us to live a life like Papa, a life that leaves a legacy when we are gone.

Psalm 48:14; For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Pumpkin Challenge continues...

Well, I have to be honest. There have been a few bumps in the road with my Pumpkin Challenge. First, I have not been able to make something with pumpkin every weekend. Second, several of the recipes I have tried, have not been very good :(. I almost quit my own pumpkin challenge last night, but figured I could extend the pumpkin challenge to any and everything dealing with pumpkins! (Hey it's my challenge, my rules!)

So...the challenge continues. We carved our pumpkin last night. Bryan and I always make a good team and have a lot of fun making our pumpkins.









Pumpkin Lovin!