They're rotten, but I'm thankful for them

A different kind of thankful

This year was a very different thanksgiving for the Welchs'.  This was the first year that we ever spent Thanksgiving by ourselves. Thanksgiving is for family, and we have always been with my parents, Wayne's family, all my sisters and their families or even with just Papa, but never just the four of us.
It was the best Thanksgiving I've ever had.

We left our busy, crazy world on Tuesday afternoon, and headed to the mountains. We camped at Moccasin Creek State Park for four days.  I had some doubts that we wouldn't kill each other, die of boredom, what with no intenet and all, or just plain end up refereeing fights between my two teenage daughters.  Can I tell you that I felt sad when we packed up to come home this morning?

After making the customary we-are-leaving-to-go-camping-so-we-need-to-stop-and-eat-at-Cracker-Barrel stop, we got up in the cold mountains and set up camp without any problems, unless you consider Wayne yelling at me, me crying and stomping me feet, swearing to never help him back the camper in ever again, a problem.  No sir, no problems at all.
Wednesday was girl's day, we headed to Cumming to try on bridesmaid dresses, while Wayne spent the day at the campground all by himself. Poor thing, he was very brave about the whole thing and assured us he would try and make it through the day with nothing to do but sleep, eat and fish. The girls are both in Megan's wedding in June and the dresses are gorgeous. That is saying alot! Raise your hand if you've ever hated a bridesmaid dress!  After a girl's day in David's Bridal, we ate at Olive Garden and talked and laughed and got lost twice on the way home.   Wayne had  a hearty campout supper waiting when we got back to camp and it delicious!  We sat out by the camp fire and drank coffee and hot chocolate.

Thursday (Thanksgiving) was freezing cold. I was wondereing how it would feel not to slave away in the kitchen all morning listening to the drone of Macy's Day parade. Let me tell you, it was wonderful! Didn't miss cooking a bit.  We went to the Dillard House and let Mrs. Dillard feed us a fine, and I mean a fine meal!  That afternoon we went to see The Blind Side. Best movie I've seen in a long time. That Tim McGraw can't act, good thing he can sing. What he lacks in the acting, Sandra Bullock makes up for...she's one of my most fav Hollywood women!

Friday was the best day yet, we rode horses in the morning, and the entire family laughed at me because my horse got spooked and all but bucked me off and I screamed.  They all swore he just shook his head, but I know his front legs left the ground!
 Lunch was at Fat Boys BBQ. Oh yeah baby! Better than a turkey sandwich any day. Next door to Fat Boys was a Goodwill, so you know Wayne had to let us run in and treasure hunt for a minute. More about that later.  We got back to camp and the crowning moment of the entire vacation was the hike to the waterfall. I'll post pics as soon as Leslie downloads them for me.  In a word, beautiful.  As we were walking back out, we were really deep in the woods, I had one of those moments where I was able to shut everything out and just be in the moment.  Have you ever done that? I just took it all in.
I am one blessed woman, I was holding hands with a wonderful husband who loves me despite my insanity.  My two girls were in front of me, laughing and wrestling.  I love to see them enjoy each other, it doesn't happen all the time any more.  I haven't felt this happy in a long time. Just us. Just the four of us. Happy. Healthy. Loving.  It was the best Thanksgiving I've ever had.

my girl

My Christmas List

I have already started my Christmas shopping. My goal is to complete all of it online by the first week in December. I want to relax and enjoy the season this year.  Wayne, on the other hand, never gets in a rush and has more than once finished his shopping on Christmas Eve at the local CVS.  If he happens to read my blog.........

1) Dirt Devil Hand Vacuum- The black carpet in my new car will be the death of me!

2.Mizuno Wave Shoes- I'm running on air in these things!  I want to run a marathon in 2010.  How many years have I been saying that? I'm serious this year!

3.Sunglasses- I am a ready for some REAL sunglasses.

Wayne,I don't think, with the exception of the sunglasses, that these items can be purchased at CVS on Christmas Eve, so get to hopping! Only 4 weeks until Christmas!

Would a miracle cheer you up?

I get an awesome online missions magazine called "Voice of the Martyrs". I love this monthly  bulletin that tells me about people that are suffering for Jesus around the world.  Every month after I read it I feel so humbled that I have so much freedom and do so little.
Anyways, I've been following the story of two Iranian Christian sisters, Maryam and Marziah who have been held captive for a while now.  This morning I read that they were released on Thursday.  Wow! It is really a faith building story.  It makes me think, do I really understand trials?  Does the Amreican church really get it?  Do we really think the things we deal with matter in eternity?  Are most of more concerned with power struggles amongst ourselves than the power struggle of light and darkness?

This story is a beautiful example of what happens when God's people pray.  This story shows us that our brothers and sisters around the world need us to go to bat for them.  While we live in our comfort, God calls us to so much more.

Lunch Options

If you work outside the home, like I do, lunch is not really an option. (I'm gonna eat, of that you can be sure!) WHAT I eat however is always an option.  I go through periods of time where all I want is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich w/ corn chips.  I rarely eat out due to my schedule, but leftovers is my second favorite option.  When there is nothing else and my stomach is gnawing at my backbone.......I'll eat one of these that my coworker has stashed somewhere:

Usually these frozen lunches make me gag...literally and there's not much I don't eat, but today, I think Healthy Chicken Sirfry Steamers hit the spot, and for 90 calories I can't complain.  Incredible for an appetizer, now if I can decide what's for lunch :)

Happy Birthday Shantal

Shantal is an amazing young woman.  I love her so much!  She is on her way to becoming a wonderful nurse.  I suspect I'll visit her on the mission field one of these days....... I love you Shantal! Happy Birthday!

Leonid

Hey did you know that tonight is supposed to be the best night to see the Leonid meteor shower? Only trouble is I am trying to decide if I should stay up until 1:30 am or get up at 5am tomorrow morning.

Lauren

I love this girl. I met her when she was a crazy college girl, and I was already married with kids.  There was something about her I just loved.  Maybe it was seeing myself in her. Maybe it was............
.....her refreshing honesty...what you see is what you get
.....she always is drawn to the underdog
.....she can make me laugh hysterically ..and cry...all in the same conversation
......she mature for a kid her age....but can totally laugh at herself

I've seen her walk through season of life, that I think would make me stumble.  She is rarely intimidated by anyone, yet has compassion for many.  She can be real about her struggles with God, and loves Him with a deep passion. She's my friend. I love her.

Happy Birthday Mom!

All in all, a great week

All in all it was a great week........

.......enjoying the online Bible study I am doing with some good friends....Who knew I would like Kay        
         Arthur?
.......cold enough to wear my favorite black poncho.
........learnng how pretty it looks to knit and purl!
........meeting the most awesome missionary....I'm ready to go to Romania!
........dinner last night at my new favorite restaurant, The Silver Moon (thanks Lauren!),with my favorite man!
.......realizing this week how much I love the girls I work with.
........seeing both my sick babies get better.
.......going goodwilling with mama and the girls today. What kind of treasures will I find?
........seeing God answer prayer in my friends life.

Praise and worship in the mountains

This weekend was one of those times that you find yourself drawn out of your routine and you find full relaxation and quiet.  I went with some really great women to the mountains.  We were a diverse group. I love hanging out with women who are  not at all like me.  So much you can learn by just watching and listening and just soaking others wisdom.
This weekend about 30 of us hung out in a huge cabin, studied the bible together, and ate well above the legal limit of chocolate.  We stayed up late, laughed and talked, oh my how we talked.  I made some new friends, and caught up with old ones.
Most of all, I learned to let go of some things, that up until this weekend, I did not realize had stunted the growth of my faith so drastically.
The highlight of the trip for me, was meeting in this tiny little chapel, where we sang for about an hour.  It was sweet.  I imagined God leaning over heaven, and shushing His angels, so he could listen to us. We told Him how much we loved Him, we reminded each other of His goodness, and He loved us back.