Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks is what today is all about. We have so much to be thankful for. When I look back in history and in some of the lives around me today. I realize how much we have.
Not in the tangible things but in our mind, souls and spirits. Peace, love and forgiveness to name a few.
Though our suffering we come to a cross road in our lives. We either become hard, bitter and afraid or soft, thankful and free. By God's grace I try to stay in the later.
I thank you God that you know me and I know you. I thank you for giving me a new life more than 12 years ago and your still setting me free with each passing moment. For my family that surrounds me here on earth and gives me the joy and tears that I call my life.
For friends that come to call and welcome me into their heart and lives.
For this day, this moment in time with a grateful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving

Daddy's new job

Well after much prayer, talk and time, Daddy Dude has found a new job. He will be a new designer for a company that makes Blackberry (Smart phones). This is an awesome opportunity for him. It was a difficult decision for him to leave his job. He has been there for over ten years now and they have become like part of our family.
God has opened a new door for him and we give him all the glory. He has ALWAYS been faithful to provide for us. With us being a one income family and having two little ones it's a big responsibility for Daddy to provide for us. With this new position, comes new changes and challenges for him. I personally hate change at first but in time it all becomes my normal and I bend to it. Daddy says that change doesn't seem to come as easy as it was when he was younger. ") I know that he will do great. Daddy LOVES a challenge and a opportunity to grow and learn. He's never had a problem with that whether it's his work or for him personally. He's got a knack at figuring stuff out. His gift is gathering information and putting it together. Something I'm not too good at doing. My goal seems to be just getting it done and figuring it out as we go!
Anyway this is great news for us and we are humbled to have this been given to us. He will start the 2nd week of December. Since they are a company from out of Canada, they will be flying him up there in a few weeks to meet some of the higher ups and do some training. Nope we're not moving up there. They have their US headquarters here in Texas, not that far from where we live so he doesn't have to pack long underwear or anything!
We spent the evening at one of Daddy's favorite German restaurants, Bavarian Grill. We celebrated the German way. Beer, sausage, wienersnitzle and some yodeling!

Daddy's Birthday

Today is Daddy's Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Daddy. Happy Birthday to you!
Bubby and I started his day with breakfast in bed. A linen napkin was used. Daddy always considers a real linen napkin to be a sign of something good. He has commented more than one occasion if we go out to eat about whether or not they offer cloth or paper napkins. ") I never gave it much though before he brought it up to me. My pet peeve is: Why do some take the time and trouble to wrap your utensils up only to leave the part that will be going into your mouth exposed? That's wrong.
Anyway, we sent him off to work with a full belly of a English muffin with egg, ham and cheese toasted of course. Orange juice, a V-8 and completed with a small chocolate kiss that Bubby added at the last minute. (Put a Ahhhhh, in here)
After coming home we headed off to Red Hot and Blue to snag some BBQ. Daddy's kind of fond of their sausage plate. I like anything with their sweet BBQ sauce on top of it and Bubby's big on the sign that has two pigs with sunglasses on playing the blues on guitar. T-Bone threw back some serious fries and a grill cheese. I can remember it was the first place we went out to eat at after we became parents. Kathy was our waitress then as she was tonight and even before we came with child! It's kind of homey to us.
After coming home we had cake and Daddy got his gift from us. It was a gift certificate at Fry's for some memory on his laptop. Bubby over heard him saying that he needed it and so that's what we got him. Maybe now he won't have to wait a half an hour to get on the internet!
Happy Birthday Daddy. We love you. You take good care of us and we appreciate your hard work and fun attitude when you come home from work each night (even when your tired). We hope you have an awesome year!

Beavers Bend State Park

Well we got back from our stay in a cabin in Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma last night. We had planned on staying for only two nights but ended up staying an extra night.
We have gone out there BC (before kids) and have always loved it. I think that we've been out there a total of 6-7 times. I still get awed by the sight of the forest. All the trees where changing colors and the leaves falling made it look like it was snowing! We hiked, fished, cooked hot dogs and marshmallows on the campfire, canoed. The boys were in full throttle the whole time we were there! T-Bone hiked with us like a trooper. They of course slept like a rock when the time came time to lie down. ")
We saw several deer in the park and they came surprising close to us. At night while daddy and I sat around the fire we could see the deer grazing in front of us while we listened to an owl call echoing through the forest. We did see two wolves. One was in the back of a pick up in a cage, it appeared to have been trapped and they were moving it to a more suitable home. The other I saw running in front of me at night no more than 30 feet away! That kinda freaked me out since the boys and Marty was out there with us. He/she didn't seem very interested in us at all and ran right past us. And we did see a few critters (raccoons, cats) trying to get a night time snack from the dumpster.
The highlight was the day we left. We all pack up for a great canoe ride along the river while Bubby did some fishing.
The weather was awesome the whole time. Mid 70's during the day and 50's at night.
Though I'm knee deep in smoke smelling clothes that need washed and three days behind in Bubby's home school, I have no regrets. ")