Okay - Thanksgiving!?!? You betcha!

I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!! augh! Oh well.... never drive through the Columbia River Gorge on a rainy night....very scary -- no lights!! I managed to do it both directions - silly me!!!

I went over to the Tri-cities, to be with my mom, daughter, 'Manda, Michael and Blake. Livvy, Tim and boys came, too. We went over to Michael's mom's house for dinner and had quite the crowd! It was fun and yummy. Gg (my mom) wore one of the new dresses I sewed for her (I have 3 more to make).

I am thankful for my mommy (she's 'still around' at 93!!) even though she is ornery(hehehehahaha) as ever. I am thankful for my 5 loving, kind children, and their spouses and especially for my grandkids, who make each day such a joy....

I am thankful for all my friends and family around me - especially my closest girlfriends, Trish, Diane, & Ginger (and don't let your name placement on my list bother you, silly; someone had to be first, middle and last - hehehe) They each bring such kindness, wisdom and comfort to me. Life sure has a way of throwing you big loops sometimes, and it's during these times that you learn just who your REAL friends are! I love you, dear ladies - God Bless You.....

Without my kids and their love, life would be soooooo lonely and boring! I just love to squish 'em and hug 'em and kiss 'em -- OH! and tickle-bug the grandkids, too -- hehe! such fun!

I am thankful and so grateful to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for their unfailing love, comfort, support and guidance -- they are the truest and most unfailing of friends. My testimony of them is my greatest joy and my grandest gift. They never fail. I feel their arms around me and they hold me tight. They are with me through the scriptures and in my prayers. They are with me in the sunshine, the rain, the dark. They are with me while I am driving and seeing all the beautiful nature around me. They are with me when I listen to music. They calm my troubled heart and they rejoice with me in my joy. They are constant and kind.

so sad :(

I really love the background of the 3 Wise Men seeking the star.....but it's just too difficult to read....so I changed it. While this one is not my favorite, it is much easier to read...enjoy :~) (and in honor of 'Manda taking the soft green christmas trees first, I did not use that one :)

hmmm....almost done??

Here are a couple of pictures of the house as it looks today....the body color was SUPPOSED to be a shade or two lighter, and NOT shiny, so..........I'm a little unhappy, but maybe it will grow one me ... The trim (pale cream) and 'people' doors (dark red)...

...will be done this coming week, I presume. One can hope :) Then, the next project will be to clean and tidy the yard ;) Isn't it pretty and green...???... that's because it's winter-time in the Pacific Northwest :~)

...and all these things shall give thee experience

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives...and that he paid an awful price, a precious price for us. I know that they have infinite love for us. I know that they love us no matter what stupid or evil things we do in this life - or who we hurt. I know that they rejoice with us when we choose the right. I know that Jesus can take away our pains -- our fears, our anger, our loneliness, our guilt, our shame, our tears.......He always gives us in return eternal love, agency and commandments - not to limit our potential, but to protect it!!! It is only through obedience to his commandments that we are protected from the frailties of mortality. When we sin, big or small, he sends the Holy Ghost to admonish, guide and prompt us back into righteousness. He will never force us to choose the right. He teaches us and lets our agency be our guide. When we are obedient we have the right to have the Holy Ghost with us at all times - imagine that!!! But when we sin, that gift is instantly removed - never to return until and unless we repent. The instant that we return our hearts and minds back to God, our eternal friend and guide returns. But His love never leaves us. His desire for our return to him never fails. Our human hearts can burst open with anguish at what we do to each other, and yet He doesn't leave us alone. He sends our friends and family to us to grieve over us and with us and pray for us and cry with us and rejoice with us. We are not "mere mortals" - we are God's greatest and grandest and most perfect creation! We are the beginnings of God's ourselves - the potential is in each of us to one day be like him. His love is eternal and when we are at our lowest, he draws us near and holds us in. When we feel the most alone and separated, he touches our hearts and reminds us he is there. He stands at the door and all we are required to do is open it. BUT WE MUST OBEY! and when we don't he must leave us for a time...the emptiness is profound and painful...but the balm of repentance and forgiveness is always standing right with us to rebuild and heal and soothe.

I know God lives and loves me, too! The spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true.....

3 new helpers for the garage ;)

Food storage shelves and new small fridge. There lots more food still in boxes - we're adding shelves and food as I write.

Inside of new empty fridge.

Inside the new empty freezer.

This little thing looks so weird - it's 8.8 cb. ft -- we used to have one there that took up the entire space - 24.5 cb.ft! >:) But this will do nicely, thanks.

What I see outside my front door - pretty Autumn :)

Here's to you, Sayah !!

Julian dressed in Sarah's old Halloween costume that she wore for 2-3 Halloween's - she'll get it back to share with Evoly, now ;)

Julian designed and carved the large pumpkin in the background. The little one is Tristan's -- hehe :)

As November begins..........

Halloween and the goblins have passed and gone....

The house repairs are all complete, except for paint - we wait patiently (not!) for a dry day. Will the rain ever stop - it's never bothered me before - until now! Please Mother Nature - we'd like to paint my house a pretty color =-) ....

The elections are over with (finally!) and though I am not happy about the outcomes, I pray that the Lord will not abandon our country, and that our new leaders will seek Him and listen....

Thanksgiving is just around the corner - let's all voice our thanks each day for the many, many blessings that we have in this country and in this day. We are truly a blessed people....

Life has a way of throwing you curve balls when you least expect them. Please keep family and friends in your daily prayers and a prayer in your heart always. We all need that extra boost that comes from your love and the Lord's blessings.

I have a testimony of our Savior and know that it is through obedience that He can help us and bless us - and His love and the gospel are all-encompassing --- His never-ending love and Atonement can and will heal all things.