Claire meets Santa Claus

I was out with Rhonda (Grammy) and Claire (Mathew and LeAnn's) last week and we came across Santa and Grammy introduced her to him. I was quite surprised she didn't get upset! Such a sweet sight!

He got just a little bit to close for comfort!

What I am THANKFUL for....

It seems like all through the year I am so "busy" and don't really sit down and think about what I am thankful for! Oh, I do from day to day but really put some thought into it.....and then having Mimi here visiting with me for a few days before Sandra and Pastor Gray get here to spend Thanksgiving with her and family. Some of you are wondering "who is Mimi"? She is Sandra's mom and my very own godly Mom! She is going to be 80 yrs. old her birthday and you'd never know it! She has a spirit about her that automatically lifts you up and words of wisdom that sets you straight! We have been doing our "favorite" thing of chatting about life and family. Brought back a lot of memories of when my own mama would come to visit or me visiting her, staying up until wee hours "catching up". Mimi reminds me a lot of my mom's spunk and it makes me miss her so much.
--Anyways what I am really thankful for is knowing Christ as my Savior.
--Having such a wonderful husband of 35 years. We have so much fun together just being together!
--I have a wonderful daughter who has provided me with 3 beautiful grand children. And a son in law that is as close to my heart as my own son.
--I have a wonderful son who has provided me with the sweetest baby girl, Molly and a daughter in law that is precious and close to my heart as my daughter
--The wonderful friends we have and the generosity of sharing their own families
--The good health that our family has been provided with
What more could I ask for!! Both of my children are raising their children to love the Lord and that means so much to Audy and I.

Newman News

Well I have slacked off with posting pictures and news. It's been crazy with working, grandchildren and life in general. And now Thanksgiving is NEXT week! I am usually so good about getting my Christmas shopping done way in advance but not this year! So what is new?
Audy found out that Sunday after Thanksgiving he is going on the 10pm-6am shift. At first we were like "how in the world are we going to do this?" and then we came to a screeching hault and thanked the Lord that he has a job! It was a year ago the very same time he was told he was laid off!! So we will just change our schedule a little bit and he still gets plenty of time with the family! Right now he is getting over a cold!
I have been working but things have been really slow in sales. You can see the strain of worry on people as they are worried if they are in the next lay off. So they just "browse" and decline purchasing any books. I ache for them as I know how it feels! I am decorting for Christmas starting tomorrow! My dearest friend, Sandra called us a while back and since they are coming down from D.C. for Thanksgiving and her mama lives in Alabama asked if her mama, Mimi could come and stay with us for a few days until they got here. We are just as excited as Mimi is that we have a few "Girl Days" together.
Skip, Jess and Molly are doing great! Other than Molly having a fever she is growing like a weed. She had her 9 mo. checkup recently and doctor said, she was perfect!! Jessica will continue to work from home and will be picking up a few more hours after the holidays. And Skippy is finally making "goal" which means a nice size bonus for the holidays!
Katie and her family are busy as ever! When I go over the kids are full of news what they have learned in homeschool for the day. This past week they were studying the state of Penn. and mainly about the amish people. Bryson moved to another level on his piano and did a little performace for us on Sunday and Audy (having a musical ear) said, he hit the right note!!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Isn't this a BEAUTIFUL setup on my blog! Well I received a HUGE blessing from a dear friend, Jenny who offered to give me this new look. I LOVE IT! This is one busy mama with 4 children (twins just turned 3) homeschools, husband is in full time college and she found some precious time to do this for me. Thank you so much Jen!!!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I am not real good with changing things so bare with me until I get this figured out...I know it looks tacky!!

New Pic's Coming!

I know! I haven't posted in awhile and it's because it's crazy around here! Between Bryson's birthday, our anniversary AND Audy's 54th birthday AND now Thanksgiving is soon I haven't had a whole lot of time to update.
The highlight of our week was on Monday November 10th we attended the court hearing for the adpotion of Jonathan (9yrs) and Erica (6yrs) to Amanda(Miller) and Jason Wagner. They got these children 2 1/2years ago through foster care. The judge was quite impressed with the largest turnout ever in her court room of support.
I am reminded of how good God is and it's so true what their Aunt Pat said, "God has a plan for each child and He picked Amanda and Jason to be parents and then gave them their own Reece (18mo)." There weren't too many dry eyes and lots of laughter.
Today is PICTURE DAY...I am so excited. We are meeting at Picture Innovation and let's just hope everyone smiles real pretty!
Molly was 9 months old on Saturday and mommy was greeted with her standing at the end of her bed! So she is now crawling and standing. At her doctors appointment she weighed out at 16lbs 10oz. She is considered "petite" and doing wonderful. She still has NO teeth and doctor said, "not to worry".
This is a big week for Skip as well. He graduates from his outpatitent program on Friday evening. Jessica and I both have been attending his meetings on Wednesday night and Audy took the evening off yesterday to attend the last family night. It has been so good for all of us to. One day at a time!