Traveling

Thursday...I have to tell you that when your kids and grandkids are traveling on the road to grandma's house, it's much more difficult to handle than when we traveled with all four of our kids in an ugly brown van across the country, with Jack driving hour upon hour, taking very few stops and he did all the driving. I would be so peaceful that I would just fall asleep! But now I wake up early in bed before the kids even start driving and am praying for their safety!
I am so grateful for the gift or prayer. God knows that we need to be able to share our concerns and prayer requests with Him. And the even more amazing thing is that he listens!
I love Philippians 4 which talks about bringing our anxietes to Him with thanksgiving. It is totally impossible to be in a state of worry or any other negative attitude when we're keeping a thankful spirit. I think it is the key to a good life. Being thankful! This Christmas I have little gift box candles. They're quite pretty and I think the kids will enjoy them. I want to have each person in the family share something they're thankful for this year and then the family can light a candle. We have six, one for each "family unit" They're good memories for the children, and yes, us adults too, to remember that we really do have so much for which to be grateful. And of course, tops on the list this season, is Jesus. "For God so loved the World that He gave His only son". That, to us mothers, is a gift that can't be topped!
They're almost here!!! Praying them in safely!

Finished!

Finished! Jack and I are officially done with the guest suite portion of the basement. So fun to be at this point in time. Never would I have guessed that it would be this lengthy of a process but we're ready for occupancy!
And when we do the other side of the finished basement there are no windows and no bathroom so it will be a much easier project. But for now, it's staying as is until after the holidays. Enough is enough! And the good news is that we used furniture that was in other places around the house to put here and there and didn't buy anything but bedding.
So now to go grocery shopping for some food to feed our coming family (I love that they are good eaters!) and plan some menus and just basically get on top of anything else that should be done before Christmas. I also love that our family has a focus on the Christ of Christmas. We're attending a play as a family on Saturday. I am rejoicing that all the children (minus Eric, most likely) are old enough to appreciate the message of Christ!)
Happy season.

Saturday in St Charles

O.K. so now the second blog entry. Bekah helped me retrieve my password and figure out what went wrong..or at least she repaired the damage I did.
Gamma and I went to bed bath and beyond to get the bed skirts for the guest suite we're fixing for josh and heather while Dad completed his toilet project. It's on again and stable (which it wasn't before) so I am really pleased!
Daniel spent the night while his mom and dad went to a work party. I almost feel guilty as he's so easy to have...he is used to this house and is very self entertaining.
Tonight it's another party. We have our fun "white elephants" ready to share. I love white elephants! They're always good for a laugh!
Bekah is off to play music for a Christmas party elsewhere. We have added two hundred pounds to her car in case it ices up. It's a warming trend right now but in Chicago it's without a doubt that ice is coming.
Nap time. Today has that lazy feel about it!

Stresssssssss.
That's what setting up a blog or anything on the computer feels like.
Please, just give me a messy room, or a difficult child, or a sink full of dishes...but not a website to manage.
But in order to post anything on my daughter in laws wonderful blog site, as well as (dare I say it...) my mother's, I had to establish a persona, a blog, a page that will take more work to set up than I can do myself.
Hence, I may be calling you, Heather, Bekah, even Gamma! for help!
But, hey, this is progress, right?
Hugs! mom/dona