Thanksgiving...and So Much to Be Thankful For

Carl and Margie (Rob's brother and sister-in-law) graciously offered to have the family Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day at their lakehouse.  Margie was busy getting everything ready.  

Drew and Jessica picking out a good wine.

Wow, the kids have grown up before our very eyes.  They are no longer babies.  Emily's in her first year of college at Auburn and the others will be there soon.  

Wow, look at all the good food.  Like most Americans, we were extremely blessed. 

Rob got this shot of Chris, his first Thanksgiving as a married man!

Everyone getting ready for the prayer before we ate.

We took Bodhi.  He was really good.

Kristen being Kristen...as you can see, she was happy :-)

Ryan...almost as tall as his dad Patrick now.

Our poor little baby...when we first got there were 5 other dogs and they were just trying to be friendly but Bodhi took off running "for his life he thought."  Bless his heart, he thought he was a goner.  He ran around that lakehouse with 5 dogs (who thought it was a game) hot on his trail.  As he got to the other side he lept up into Rob's 6'8" arms.  This picture was taken immediately after.  He was still alittle shell-shocked :-)

Bodhi feeling safe now that he's in Rob's arms again.  

I love this view of the lake.  It was so good to see and talk with everyone. 

Geri brought her pictures of her and Drew's trip to Ireland to share with us.  

Rob taking Bodhi for a walk outside near the end of our time together with the family.

Troy University Homecoming

Troy University's homecoming festivities in November 2010.  

Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned from a Jigsaw Puzzle

1. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return (Mark 6:31).

2. Be sure to look at the big picture (John 4:35). Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

3. Don't force a fit (Philippians 2:4).

4. Perserverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece (Exodus 23:29).

5. When on spot stops working, move to another (Ecclesiastes 11:6). But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The Creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook (2 Peter 1:3).

7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting (Acts 10:34-35).

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun (Nehemiah 3:1-32).

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order (Proverbs 22:6).

10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations (Luke 5:4). Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes--even little ones (Philippians 4:4).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed (Galatians 6:9).

--As printed in MercEmail, Steve Higginbotham, Editor

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Several years ago I received a packet in the mail asking me to be the neighborhood volunteer to assist this society in fundraising. I agreed even though I don't like asking people for money. I guess I was chosen randomly by some computer. I never dreamed that someday I, too, would have a blood cancer myself. In 2008 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects bones. Now, looking back, I realize that it was no coincidence. There are no coincidences with God.

Here is some of the information I would like to share with you:

Every 10 minutes a child or adult is expected to die from blood cancers. And leukemia remains the leading cause of death among children unfortunately.

You can get information for patient services, research updates, educational materials and more at www.LLS.org if you know someone with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma.

Recognize the potential signs and symptoms of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma:
-unexplained anemia
-Excessive bleeding
-chronic fatigue
-recurrent fever
-unexplained back or bone pain
-pain in joints or bones
-recurrent infection
-swelling of lymph nodes
-weakness
-easy bruising

THE GOOD NEWS:
Overall survival rates for blood cancer patients have increased two to four fold over the past 40 years. I was told that if I had been diagnosed just 10 years ago I would have been lucky to live 6 months. So, I am eternally thankful for this organization's work and God's grace.

89% of children under 15 with the most common childhood leukemia--acute lymphocytic leukemia--will survive with treatment.

In the past decade, several important new drugs and new uses for existing drugs have greatly improved cure rates or remission duration for some patients.

Halloween 2010

Pumpkin carving 2010 version.

Rob working intently.  He had to get it done before trick or treating time. 

Bodhi checking out the events...

Rob calls Bodhi an A/C dog.  He doesn't like to get hot and when we are sitting outside on the patio a lot of times he will go back inside and look out at us through the window giving us this look like we're crazy to be sitting out there in the hot  weather.   He is too funny!

Rob said he decided to go for a simple carving this year.  

Rob showing me his progress.

Rob proudly displaying his carved pumpkin.

Bodhi enjoyed leaping around and playing in the backyard while Rob carved the pumpkin.

Rob decided to place his pumpkin at the front door.  

The Farmers' Market downtown had this great display perfect for picture taking.

I just love flowers and mums are so beautiful in the fall. 

Bodhi wasn't too keen on having his picture taken.

Bodhi was thrilled as you can tell...

I think I must have laughed for an hour when I saw Bodhi in the hat part of this costume.   It was too funny!

I got this costume from Target.  I ordered according to the size chart but it was way too big.  I guess it really didn't matter because he didn't keep it on very long, anyway.

Bodhi DID NOT like being a banana split for Halloween :-)

What a pretty baby!

Bodhi wasn't too happy with his Halloween shirt. 

The candy's ready for the kids!

Rob's Jack-o-lantern that he carved himself.