It is a very quiet Saturday morning. It even stopped raining on our roof outside. Lauren is asleep on the couch. Once in a while her phone makes a noise but she doesn't even notice. Papa is in his chair with his blanket and cat laying on him. Scruffy is in my lap curled up and Sandy is on the floor snoring. Sweet morning. I like these kinds of morning where all is safe and warm.
So much has transpired over this month so far. Let's see where to begin....
I would love to post my November Thankful List so far! Enjoy!
DAY #1 The beginning of November....although I am thankful every day of the year November is a special time of the year to truly thank those who have made our lives better! On the 1st of November I want to write how I am so thankful for our family. I know it has been a rough year for some of us and a great year for others. I have learned so much about myself and our kids and grandkids during this time. I learned from my parents unconditional love and I found out I learned well from them. No matter how upset or disappointed I get....my love doesn't change. We have an amazing family. Not perfect. Don't always agree. But I wouldn't change them for anything.
Day 2: I am so thankful and have been since I found out I was having her!Karla Ellis Rogers is such an amazing woman! Great sense of humor, great laugh, great parenting skills, great cook, great friend, great daughter, great sister, great mom, great cat owner, great person who dances to her own drummer, loves who she loves, and is totally loyal and true to those people! God blessed us when Karla was born and she has never stopped being a blessing to me! I love you Karla Jean!!!!! I can never thank you enough, God!
Day 3: I am so thankful for November 3 as this is the day God brought Jordan into our lives! And I am soooo very thankful for Jordy Burdyshaw! She is my princess! I love her laugh, her beauty, her sweetness, her loyalty, her goodness, and every thing else that makes her a princess! Love you Jo! Oh, and happy 18th birthday today!
Day #4 I am thankful for my grandson Pat! He makes me smile, laugh, and worry. He is the most daring and athletic in the family which sometimes results in concussions or casts. But he is so funny and keeps people laughing. And he is so full of love and caring. God had a purpose when creating Patrick and I am so thankful for it! heart emoticon
Day 5: Today I am thankful for our son-in-law, Brad! He married our daughter Tara 23 years ago and they have 2 beautiful daughters! He has always worked hard making sure they had everything they needed and more, being there for them, loving them, coaching them, teaching them, and being the kind of husband and father a parent dreams of for their kids. We are super proud of this man we call our son. Love you, Brad, and so thankful you are in our family and lives!
Day #6 I am thankful for baby girl. Papa has called her this forever and still does. She will forever be. We've always lived close to them and got to take care of Lauren while her parents worked. Such a pleasure to have her and Madi during the days. Lauren is so smart, pretty, funny, caring, emotional, sensitive and her laugh is great! Through adversity she looks to God. She loves the Lord, loves being on Worship team at her youth group, loves playing basketball, loves spending time shopping with her mom, her dog Sandy, listening to music, and her new bedroom. I love her so much and love to make her laugh. God truly blessed us the day she was born and every day since then. We are so thankful!
Day 7: It took awhile to get to know Joel, Karla's husband. I thought he was quiet and shy. Once you get to know my son-in-law you will find out he is kind, funny, strong, athletic, hard working, a good provider, smart, determined, a great husband for our Karla, amazing dad to Madi and Dylan, he loves hunting, sports,his family, camping, It has been fun getting to know him over the years and I am so happy God brought him into our family to add a little sanity to our craziness. Much love and thanks to Joel! Thanks to God for this special blessing!
Day #8 I am so thankful for Madiloo! She is so affectionate, caring, sweet, funny, sensitive and emotional. She is a hero to me because she tries things I would never try! She participated in a big/little sister beauty pageant 2 years. Got on stage in front of hundreds of people! Another time she got on stage with Ryan Star and sang! She's been in a play/dance of Alice and Wonderland. She is just braver than she knows. She is my little fashionista. She has a great smile, laugh and I adore being around her! God really blessed us all with this little surprise! Thank you God!
DAY 9
Now this one is complicated. I had to write by past memories because lately he has been selfish, rude and has walked away from our family. I wrote my blessing for him and got a hate filled letter back on how I have sided with Amanda, am selfish for wanting Lauren to live up here instead of California with him, and what a horrible person I am who he cannot forgive. So at this point in our lives.... we love Ryan but since he has walked away and created a new family with his girlfriend and their fam....we have let him go. Life goes on. Papa says we still have 4. lol! You cannot force people to be in your lives if they don't want to. He's in a huge midlife crisis, I guess. Remember...this is my blog/diary, I can write what I want. This is what I wrote:
Day #9 Today I am thankful for our son, Ryan. I think back on all the wonderful memories of watching him grow into the man he is now....him saying "But we still have love!" That was the sweetest words I ever heard him say. And it is true. No matter what our family went through...we always had love. And Ryan was the most loving one with his big hugs and sweet nature. I thank God for Ryan and the joy he's brought to our lives. Love you Ry! (Oh, and Lauren helped me pick out these pictures)
Day 10 I am thankful for my husband and the past 31 years of marriage we have shared! He has loved me through so much! He's never given up on me. He's believed when I didn't and brought us through some rough patches. He treats me like his queen. He spoils me. He defends and protects me. He supports me. I know he will always be here. I love him more today than I ever did. He is my heart and life! Thank you God for surrounding my marriage with Your love and being #1 in our lives! Thank you for Lanny! heart emoticon
DAY 11
Day #12 Today I am thankful for our grandson and bundle of energy Joshua Valverde! Talk about a funny kid with a quick wit! He cracks me up. Love his laugh and how he can make everyone smile! We thank God for this boy who is growing up too fast!
heart emoticonyou Josh!
DAY 13
Today #13 I am thankful for my baby boy Kevon Ellis. He will always be my baby boy. He is also one of my best friends ever. We talk and share everything. I trust him like no other. I know he will always be there for me and loves his mama unconditionally. He is kind, funny, honest, hardworking, fair, caring, generous, smart, handsome, and so much more. Just ask him. lol! I am so thankful to God for the day this boy was brought into our lives. He's awesome and I love him!
DAY 14
Today is my #14 blessing from the Lord and it would be my first grandson,Andrew Black. He has grown into the most incredible man. At 19 years old he has wisdom, faith, and common sense exceeding most adults I know. He calls me every single day, several times a day and we just talk. We talk about everything. He really loves his mam....and I love him! He is so handsome, kind, funny, smart, giving, gracious, loyal, and he is going to make a wonderful pastor, husband and father one day. Love you, bud!
It has been so fun doing these. Most have really appreciated the time I took and words I wrote. I speak from my heart. I love my family very much. Nothing will change that.
We had some celebrations. Lauren had her first band concert and did good! And she just joined the Jazz Band and really loves it. She plays the tenor sax! And her band teacher (husband of my friend Kathleen) loves Lauren. Of course, he loved Alyssa too.
We had my niece Jessica here for a couple days. That was nice. We just hung out together having a Harry Potter marathon. lol! Scruffy was in heaven. She loves animals!!! And we talked quite a bit about things. She turned 17 on the 9th! Growing up so fast.
Also the 9th was Don and Heather's wedding anniversary. They are really a great couple. You don't meet many couples who are so molded together as they are.... and perfect for one another!
The 9th is also the day two years ago we lost our loved one, Toby. Still miss that dog so much!!!! Andrew took this picture when he came to say goodbye to Toby. Cancer is horrible...whether it be pets or humans.
Then on the 10th it was our 31st wedding anniversary. We went to dinner at Chimicum Cafe the next day. Papa made steak for our anniversary dinner. It was just a wonderful day at home.
Papa went to visit with his cousin, Dave. He really enjoys his time over there. I have thought about joining him but it kind of feels like his time away from me and a special time with his family.
We're having Thanksgiving dinner here.... looks like me, papa and Kevon. And football. Hopefully it will be a very relaxing time.
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| Shows how hard it's been raining ...this is Snoqualmie Falls |
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| Beautiful picture of Madi |
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| My great nephew Ryan and his girl. |
