Thanksgiving Week

The LORD is near.

Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and minds

in Christ Jesus.

(Phil. 4:4-6)

It was a good week of learning to be more intentional about being thankful in my heart and expressing gratitude. There were many great stories on Christian radio that reminded me of more specifics to include in thanksgiving.
Daily decisions are pressing now. Sunday afternoon we strolled through furniture stores with Sam and family. You'd think these were amusement parks the kids were having so much fun.

Monday Mike and I spent several very successful hours shopping at another furniture place. We finally found what we liked and ordered most of the remaining big items.
By afternoon I was feeling really sick, so instead of doing something special for new teenage grandson Malachi's birthday (like collect embarrassing baby photos and post them on Facebook), I stayed in doing nothing, missed the dinner at chef-son's, and called the clinic.

Malachi, age one

Tuesday I saw the doctor--ear and sinus infection worse and possible pneumonia from the sound tho' the xrays were clear. Just finished the second round of antibiotics today. Coughing spells are fewer now. On the mend at last.
I was really disappointed to miss the last painting class of the year. I was going to fix or finish a couple recent pieces and sign them, but alas, they remain thus.

Wednesday was little Zion's second birthday.

Zion, day one

 I was sick so did not host Thanksgiving dinner, instead Stephan invited us. I coughed my way through a wonderful family time. The food was great, just wish I could have enjoyed it more. Even so I had to try all three kinds of pie.

Perfect pie trifecta: pumpkin, chocolate, peach

SIL Diane spent a couple nights with us. Friday we took it easy. No Black Friday craziness for us! In the evening we watched Julie and Julia again. Such a great movie.
DIL shared a special deal on her blog. I keep buying and giving away her book with great responses each time, not only from those who deal with infertility. Go take a look at Hope for the Barren Heart (http://www.lulu.com/shop/karen-koch/hope-for-the-barren-heart/paperback/product-12199693.html).

Saturday already and I finally made it back to the house and took a look at areas painted with Basque Green, a color I chose by name more than loving the shade at first sight. It is definitely bold, dark, deep, masculine. And now I like it more than some of the blue shades.

Pottery display area

Ship Room (guest bedroom)

Kitchen cabinets are all in place--so much more storage space!

The siding is almost finished.

So while I've been sick taking it easy, the guys have been working long hours. Mike is at the house every spare moment. There are still issues with the heating system. He's had to drain the boiler five times so far.

"Not again!"

"in everything give thanks; 

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus."

I Thess. 5:18