And we are off to the Christmas races!!!!!

Catchy title don't ya think? Well there have been years that we have felt that way. But as our kids have grown up and moved out it has slowed down quite a bit. Except for this last week end.... We hosted Thanksgiving, something we do every year. But this year was different, my wife's brother and his wife were going to be here for the first time. It has been over 15 years since Sherrie has celebrated Thanksgiving with her brother, so we were excited to have them. And the dinner was as usual wonderful..... only 9 people at our table one son and his wife were at his in laws, that sharing holidays is not a easy thing for me... but I did it!! Now on to the race.....Since Sherrie's brother was here we or I decided that it would be a great time to have Sherrie's side of the family out for a Open House on Saturday, sounded easy enough. But oh NO, my wife had to have the house completely decorated for Christmas if she was going to be entertaining. Now let me stop here and tell you that we have NEVER put up our Christmas decorations in one day, EVER. There are just so many, and my wife decorates every room in the house including the laundry room... So Friday after Thanksgiving when all other sane people were out shopping, we were tearing our house apart.... why you ask? Well because we had to put away the Thanksgiving decorations before we could put up the Christmas ones. silly people.
So we started at 9 am on Friday, and we finished at 2 am on Friday morning, yes you read that right 2 am! It was a decorating frenzy let me tell you. We worked all day long, did not turn on the television, just played Christmas music, and worked and worked, and worked, and worked. And in the end our house looked wonderful... beautiful.... We surprised those who had come for Thanksgiving as they left the house with Turkeys and Pumpkins and returned to Santa's , Wreath's, and a completely decorated Christmas Tree... wheeeeeew! Then on Saturday we cooked food, for 30 in preparation of the Open House. I must say it was a resounding success! The house looked great, the food was wonderful, and most importantly the company was unsurpassed. The look of contentment on my mother in laws face as she enjoyed having 2 of her 3 children celebrating and enjoying the company of extended family, cousins, aunts, great cousins, all talking laughing, smiling and having a wonderful time. It is an understatement that we were exhausted on Sunday and did not get off of the couch the entire day... But it was all worth it, because you can never do too much for family. Would I do it again? Yes I would, would I be tired? Yes I would . Would I be ever thankful for time spent with those we love? YES I would. Because you see as we race into this Season we call Christmas, we will be able to sit back and enjoy it all because we worked a little on the Friday after Thanksgiving... Merry Christmas to all of you, I will be posting again but just want all of you to know that Jesus is the reason for the Season.
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie

November the month of Thanksgiving!!

Hello

I hope that this day finds you well and happy!!! We are now 8 days into the month of November!! The month of Thanksgiving as I have always considered it.

So today I will be thankful even in the midst of turmoil, or tragedy, or sorrow, or pain..... because you see I feel that we can choose to be thankful in all of these situations. I know, God knows that I know that in the midst of life changing, altering situations we can get caught up in the drama of it all.

But if we take a moment, step away from all of the chaos for just a moment, we can stop, take a deep breath, and CHOOSE yes CHOOSE to be thankful in all things. For God tells us to do just that : In everything give thanks.

That one word EVERYTHING means just that EVERYTHING, the good, the bad, the ugly, the painful, the heart breaking, we MUST choose to give thanks in everything.

As you know if you have followed me in this blog, in this journey called life, I have had what some would say a difficult year.

I have had to say good bye to a friend, and two Uncles. My youngest son is in the midst of a divorce, and has moved back home. I have had personal relationships that have ended because of accusations and hurtful things said. Probably one of the most difficult years that I can think of in a while. But through it all I have CHOSEN to be THANKFUL.

Thankful for the opportunity to have know Pat my friend. Thankful for the long lives of my two Uncles. Thankful that my son still reaches out to me in his time of need. And thankful that I did get to know my soon to be ex daughter in law, not that I will probably carry on a relationship with her, she has chosen to do some things that I will choose NOT to be a part of. I wish her and her family well, but I will not be a part of their life. And thankful for the relationship that even though had ended because of accusations that are not founded in truth, I still value the person and not the actions of them. But in every situation I am ever THANKFUL for the opportunity to have had the experience. Because if I had not had the experience I would not have been able to grow, and we all need to grow as painful as it can be at times.

So today I choose to be Thankful.... for family .... for friends....for my wife....
for my job....for challenges....for heartbreak....for the passing of loved ones....
because God tells us : IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS, and so I will.

So today what will you choose? How will you go about your day? Will you choose to be thankful in all things? Will you choose to see the good when you are surrounded by the bad? We can all choose to live our lives in abundant grace and thanksgiving, so please CHOOSE to be THANKFUL.

Blessings to you and yours and ever THANKFUL for all who read this
Curtis & Sherrie