Our children are all healthy - well almost. Joy just finished radiation for breast cancer but she didn't let it slow her down. She was an inspiration to all of us. Through it all she ran their law firm with Dan in the beautiful historical church that they restored and turned into offices.
Andrew, our 6'10" super star is now at the University of Arizona Law School on full scholarship. Our God has ingenious plans - if we could only learn to trust him. Sweet Emily is a senior in Nursing at OU and what a nurse she will be - is - she has already worked at a hospital during vacation. Sam is our creative genius. Between serving on Student Council and working two jobs, he finds time to create web pages for charities, makes videos advertising school functions using drones and share his swan pool float with Grandma.
After four years of searching, Sandy & David finally found their dream home in August on five wooded acres outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. It is walking distance from the Tennessee River and they have deer in their backyard. We thought the house was too big for the two of them, but they had a full house for Thanksgiving. They send us pictures of them on their tractor and Sandy has a beautiful sun-filled quilting workshop in the basement. She is thrilled to have someplace to continue her hobby and may turn it into a business. David is able to work from home and manages to still find time to tackle a long list of projects.
Danielle flew to TN from Lawrence, Kansas for Thanksgiving where her career in Real Estate Management continues to provide new challenges. This summer she took on the responsibility of managing the HOA for all the properties. It is a family-owned business and they depend on her to hire, fire and train all their employees, in addition to handling their books. We loved seeing her last Christmas. We had lunch together at the Dallas Museum of Art where Smitty and I tried out some "chairs" that would spin while you sat in them. The girls made a video of us.
Suzie is a very busy lady. She is constantly on the go with decorating clients from New York State, Florida, South Texas and the West Coast, where she is doing food styling for Thermador in California. She loves what she does and so far doesn't mind the traveling. She was very proud to be invited to join the Society of Les Dames d'Escoffier - a select group of women in the food industry. It's hard to believe that she has grandchildren!
Tim and Alison had a precious little redheaded daughter this year (St. Catherine to us). That makes 2 boys and a girl - the happiest little family. Thank goodness for Facebook and Email. Trish and Steve have 2 almost teens, Jenna and Christian. We tried to all get together for Catherine's Christening but it didn't work out this time.
Since the sale of our house fell through when the buyer didn't qualify, we moved the office and Master bedroom downstairs. We are really enjoying being on one floor. It's nice because we are able to entertain a visiting pastor when he is in town and he can have the whole upstairs. We turned Smitty's office into a library and it is a cozy place to sneak off to read and do my Bible study.
For my birthday this year, the girls took me to a Sur la table Cooking Class. We had a lot of fun making french pastries and enjoying spending time in the kitchen together. God has been so good to us. He has given us remarkable good health for our age and best of all - each other. We cherish each day and look forward to what exciting things He has in store for us. Our latest assignment is to prepare hot meals twice a month for 50-60 Seniors at our church (First Baptist Lindale). It is a very active group and we were pleased when the Minister of Adults asked us to do it. We've done two so far and it has been fun and well received. Our committee works like a well-oiled machine. The women cook and the guys host, serve beverages and wash dishes. It is by far the nicest, best-equipped kitchen I have ever had the privilege to serve from. Our good friend is the Director of Sky Ranch which is close by. We have been privileged to have volunteered there this Summer with the young people.
Smitty is back doing the yard work and is my handy man. It is amazing how he bounced back after the difficult hip replacement surgery. Our two cats are still keeping us company. Blackie's favorite spot is on Smitty's lap.
We are trying to learn to pace ourselves but when he gets started on a project, I have trouble getting him to stop. I made slipcovers for the lake room and the deck furniture this summer. We had fun playing with the nautical, lake house theme.
As we celebrate this Holy Holiday, let us all remember that God sent his precious Son to save us from our sins. Happy Birthday Jesus!
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