I'm Thankful For

Hi All,

I wanted to tell you how much Thanksgiving meant to me this year.  I know it is never easy to have large groups of people together under one roof, but it was wonderful to have most of my family here.  Here is what I am thankful for:

Jeremy for loving his dad as much as he does that he treats him to Longhorn games and stays here throughout the week.  Brooke for driving through the night with an 8 month old to be with her family.  Abbey for her sweet spirit and can do attitude in all she does ( the salads were awesome).  Connor for his patience.  Luci for driving with her two kids and staying an extra day ( also voted best dressed by me).  Travis for the best fried turkey ever (voted coolest head with an A and M loss- the things you do for love) Justin for coming over after very little sleep and putting on a happy face.  Thanks for sharing Sasha and Juan with us as well.  They are delightful.  Thanks to Chris and Pete for sharing Travis with us. So glad you could join us this year.  Let's make it a tradition. Wendy and Hank for coming in from Houston for dessert.  You can have the whole meal deal next year.  Momses and Papa for coming down.  What would Thanksgiving be without you?  Lloyd, Deborah, and Alex, thanks for coming this year. We miss you when you skip years.

I am thankful to those we could not be with- Kirk's family and my sweet nephew and nieces, my sister and her family, my younger brother and his family, and my family in Chicago.  Know that you are loved and missed. 

Thanks especially to my sweet husband, Kirk, who didn't know he wanted this big huge family, but loves each and everyone of us fiercely.  And finally what would life be without my three precious grandchildren, Finley, Carter, and Hudson.  Their Bella loves them with her whole heart!  Here are some pictures this year.  As you can see- not as many pictures as usual - I was very, very busy!

My beautiful table

The second table- equally as beautiful

Abbey and Finney

My brother, Lloyd, and Finney playing

Breakfast at Bella's with Dora the Explorer



They are just precious!


"He who thanks but with the lips Thanks but in part; The full, the true Thanksgiving Comes from the heart”


Count Your Blessings, Bella

                 

Seattle- A "Working" Trip

I had the distinct honor of attending the school's band trip to Seattle.  The honor's band won an award and got to perform at a special event.  We all had a great time.  The kids were awesome.  Well ,there were three boys that had to be in my "special group" one entire day- but we all made the best of it.  I had a glorious time touring Seattle.  Here are some highlights:

Ms. Yee and Ms. Williams- Awesome band directors!

Two Huge Otters Playing!

Riding the Carousel with the kids

I love this city- we could see Mt Rainer in the background.

Seattle has a great Aquarium

All in all it was a great trip and I would highly recommend taking your family there.  Very kids friendly and the weather was great!

"Experience, travel - these are as education in themselves”

Count your Blessings!  Bella

Weekend With Bella

Finley got to come in last weekend to see her Bella and Pops.  Jeremy came in for the UT game and graciously brought "little Finney."  We all went to the Westwood game.  During the game the cheerleaders throw balls and shirts in the stands.  Kirk and I never catch anything- but not Finley!  We sat on the front row and she just stuck up her hands and they handed her not one but five footballs throughout the night.   She got to see her Connor play the drum and walk her around.  She was so proud and happy to be with her Uncle Connor.  The next day it was just Finley and me- we ran errands and went out to lunch with friends.  She was just like one of the big girls and had a great time.  That evening I cooked chile and she got to see Aunt Abbey and Justin.  She had a great time over the weekend.  Little does she know we were the ones who had a great time enjoying her company.  What a special little girl you are Finley Grace!

Finney getting to take a nap at Bella's house in the front room with Bella and a movie- Fun! Fun! Fun!

My three favorite Longhorns ( notice the pink boots).

Donut date with Bella!  So Sweet!



Abbey and Justin playing around- We all played scrabble.  Justin is a really good and serious scrabble player. 

Count Your Blessings, Bella



Leo- A Tribute

On a sad note.  Justin and Abbey lost their precious Leo on Halloween night.  He was in our backyard and got out and got hit by a car.  It was so very, very sad for all of us.  He was a great dog and brought a lot of love to all of us.  He really enjoyed coming over and playing with the other dogs.  We miss him so much!

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.

For Leo:

My Forever Pet

There's something missing in my home,
I feel it day and night,
I know it will take time and strength
Before things feel quite right.
But just for now, I need to mourn,
My heart-it needs to mend,
Though some may say it's "just a pet"
I know I've lost a friend.
You've brought such laughter to my home,
and richness to my days...
A constant friend through joy or loss,
With gentle, loving ways.
Companion, pal, and confidante,
A friend I won't forget,
You'll live for always in my heart,
My sweet, forever pet...

Count Your Blessings, Bella

The Honor Student

Connor made National Honor Society at Westwood.  The induction ceremony was this week.  Kirk got to walk him across the stage and I walked a friend of his whose parents were unable to attend.  So proud of my baby.  I am starting to realize this will be the last time we have a child make NHS.  They grow up so fast.  He is our fourth child to make NHS and we are so proud of him.  Education has always been a priority in our home and our children have continued to impress us and teach us.  Here is my little honor student:

Love this quote about education:

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.
Plato



Count Your Blessing, Bella

TCU Monday

Connor and I went to TCU to visit the campus on Halloween.  We went up the night before with a few of his friends and another mom.  We had a great time.  We ate at Joe T Garcias on Sunday and had a great night visiting.  The visit to TCU was spectacular.  Those hornfrogs know how to do it right.  We started with breakfast with the Chancellor welcoming all of us - then an extensive tour of the campus with a  TCU student.  Connor and his two friends were in awe and at the front of the line the whole morning.  They then had a catered lunch with student speakers.  The afternoon was spent at the businesss school for Connor.  The boys then got to go and watch a percussion ensemble- they were all in heaven.  So Connor is wearing the TCU shirt.  We will have to wait and see.  He still has a lot more colleges to visit, but TCU knows how to recruit!   The favorite part of the trip for me though was the stop on the way home at one of my favorite restaurants.  We ate at Babes- the best fried chicken and biscuits ever!!!!!!  The pictures tell it all: