Here is a happy group of turkey eaters(and we haven't even yet in this picture). We had lots of fun at the Gray family reunion. Lots to eat and plenty of fun and games. As you can see my children enjoyed beating upon the poor defensless reigndeer and Ales trying to do the hula. It was a wonderful day spent with family sharing in our joys and sorrows. Remembering to be thankful for all that the Lord has done for us. We all have so much to thank him for, he has provided our needs and wants. We really have no need to complain, we are truly blessed. The following morning we met at a wondeful restaurant in Sugar Creek, Oh, called Dutch Valley Restaurant and partook of their wonderful breakfast buffet and proceeded to stuff ourselves again, as if thanksgiving wasn't enough. Well, had fun and hopefully more can show up next year. And, now on to Christmas . . .

I just wanted to give this little thought I got from another blog. "Don"t cry because its over, smile because it happened". I was thinking about my dad in this sense because I still am sad over the loss of him in our lives, but when I think about it, I am so blessed to have been a part of his life. I can smile at the memories, and I believe God knew that I needed a dad like him so when I start to have tears when I miss him I will try to remember to smile because I am blessed to have such a great legacy to carry on.

That phrase came from Darrell Lee Stetler's wife,(I can't remember her name at this moment).

This is a friend in Florida, Robin Ogg's, little baby and the kids all took turns holding him. Emily, my potential baby snatcher, held him the most and was just so pleased when it was her turn. We had a nice time playing there that day, it really helped to do things like this with kids during our stay in Florida, it helped them feel more at home. Megan, at one point, said she wanted to stay in Florida forever. Well, I am not quite ready to make a big move like that, therefore, we came home and they are getting back to our routine. They also enjoyed seeing their friends at church, so they forgot about wanting to stay in Florida. I will sign off for now.

Very rairly is Alex serious, I was able to capture these pictures during during these brief episodes. The first picture he was singing with headphones on but not connected to anything. He is such a ham. The second picture I am not sure what he was doing other than wearing a hat and pretending to be a baseball player. I hope you enjoy.

Well, let me see. Anything new around here. A lot has happened not all of it is significant but I will try to recap our life as much as possible.

Everyone has been fighting colds in our house and if that is the worse things can be I can handle that. It has been making the kids a bit crankie but we will get through with out any serious damage. Somedays our house seems so chaotic but I can still feel a sense of peace that can only come from God. The Lord is answering prayer in the fact that he gives me wisdom in how I handle the kids and the many issues that arise. I use to beg for patience but I felt like I failed miserably in my attempts to be more patient and then I realized what I really needed was wisdom because if I have wisdom then my frustration would not be so great because then I would have the ability to deal with situation in a manner that was directed by God. My children are learning that prayer is important to them too. Just the other day Alex was being naughty and he said that he would not go to heaven if he couldn't stop doing what he was doing. I always encourage my children to pray when they have problems and I did this again and he said he wanted to pray. We had a little prayer meeting in the living room and he asked Jesus to come into his heart. It was a very special moment for us. I also have Megan who will walk around the house and pray for her sister, Emily, when she is being disciplined. They are so special to me and I love that they are starting to understand the importance of prayer. On the other hand we are all learning the importace of praise and thanksgiving. Emily has a hard time going to sleep at night and is afraid of everything, I had exhausted my advice and attempts to tell her that she would be fine and she was safe, or no that is not a bug on the wall, and finally I told her, "Emily, when you get afraid start thanking God for everything you can think of, our house, your clothes, food we eat, etc..." This did seem to work, and then when I went to bed my mind was going in a million directions so I started to thank God for all things I could think of and the next day I continued to do so and when I start to have a difficult time I try to think of something in that situation that I can thank God for and you know what no matter what the situation is there is always something to be thankful. I have also noticed how close The Lord draws me close to him when I give him praise and thanks for all the things he has done. Well I better go, I have worked today and am a little tired and keep thinking about my warm bed, so I will go and try to write more soon. Strive for a relationship with God that leaves no doubts in you mind of the destination you will have when you leave this world behind. I love you all so much. Goodnight.

Just a quick note to say, "I'm back," . My computer is working again. I had to have a new hard drive installed and now it works like new. Well I will update you on my life at another time. I have other things to do right now. Talk later. Bev

Just to let you know my computer is down and I don't when I will be able to post again. Hopefully not long. It Completely crashed on me last night. Well Ibetter go. Talk later.

I am missing my dad so much, I sometimes have to try to stop thinking about it because I will cry. I will sitting at a traffic light beside a cemetary and a funeral procession was entering I almost wanted to follow them in and share there grief, tears started to fall but I had to try to stop them because my kids will worry if I cry to much. But I would like to share with some of the reasons why I miss my dad so much; I can't talk to him anymore, I can't share things about the kids with him, I can't see him anymore, I can't ask him to pray for me(I know others are), when the cars need work done I can't call for advice, my children will grow up without a grandpa(my husbands dad is dead also), I will never get to see him pull a full pull with his farmall tractors, I can't get a hug from him, I will not be able to play Mexican Train with him, there are so many other things I miss about my dad but that is all my mind can handle right now. I don't think of these things in a selfish way but they are things I have to face and are very real to me. I just thought if I shared them maybe it would help me in someway. I also think of things like, what is he doing in heaven, if I could just get a glimpse of the joy he is experiencing it would be wonderful. I am trusting in God to help me and I pray for strength. I think this is one of those times that God is carrying me because I don't even know how I make it through the day because my heart is heavy, I know my mom is feeling this and so much more because she has lost her companion, she comes home to an empty house and only a cat to meow her hunger. I must go back to work tomorrow, please pray for me. Being a hospice nurse makes it difficult, I am afraid that I will dissolve in tears in my attempts to comfort families, seeing the pain on their faces and watching them as they prepare to lose the one they love. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

I am really not as depressed as I sound but these are things I feel I need to share because I know it helps in healing the hurt to get it out. Love and prayers to all of you.

Kudos to my sister Lisa, she told me about a great cleaning product at Dollar Tree, Totally Awesome Cleaner, and it really works. I was cleaning my blinds in the kitchen and dining and there were spots on them that I have been trying to get off for a long time. Well I tried this stuff and it cleaned the spots off. I was impressed. A great household cleaner for only a dollar. Thanks for the tip Lisa.