THANKFUL!

This is the most wonderful time of the year! I love Thanksgiving. I love giving thanks! I am always amazed at how great our God is and how lavish His love is.....and how abundant our blessings are. This is the time of year where we pause and remember to give thanks.....not that we forget to give thanks on a daily basis.....but, to really stop and ponder all that He has done for us. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I think about it.

Our family got to travel to Kansas for Thanksgiving this year. We haven't gone back for Thanksgiving in many years. It is always a busy time of year for us, preparing for The Nutcracker and Sean's busy schedule. With so many relatives lost this year and with several struck with illness now, we knew we had to go back home and visit some of the very "blessings" we are thankful for.

Seth and Gramps.....in his chair has always been one of Seth's favorite places to be. He even took an extra blue silky this time so that Gramps could have one of his very own to snuggle with while we were there visiting. Sweet!

Grandma Betty showing Hanna how to set the table. It was so sweet and got me a little choked up to see this.....seperated by 3 generations, but still an important thing to pass down. She taught me how to set the table many, many years ago.

....a cheerful learner.

This is one of my favorite trees at my grandparent's house. (My other favorite is pictured at the beginning of the blog and with Seth later) It is always so pretty...no matter what time of year we visit. It is especially beautiful in the fall.

Grandma, cutting the pies.
Oh, my, how I adore her pumpkin pie. (The pecan wasn't bad, either.) She has not only taught me how to cook (to that, my hubby is grateful), make a bed properly, sewing and even some painting......she has also taught me how to take care of my own and love them deeply.

Two of my favorite blessings.....Emma and Hanna. I love how my extended family sees their bond when we visit. They truly have a special sister bond that has become more like best friends. I love that, too.

Sweet Lily and Sean.....a couple more of my favorite blessings.

....and my sweet Sethy (under the fabulous crabtree!) Another little person that blesses my socks off!

HOOORAY for the pumpkin pie!
(that's exactly how I felt!)

Sean, Hanna and Uncle Johnny....ready to eat.

Uncle Mark, carving the turkey and cutting the ham.

Me, my daddy and my grandma! I am blessed!

Gramps and Grandma Betty

Gramps was diagnosed with cancer this year. He has always been the rock of our family. Now Grandma takes care of everything. Seeing him down is hard. But, he still has that ornery look in his eye and I love when he tells me he loves me.
Blessing!

The Lyons bell and star.....the beacon in the wintry night sky, that tells me, "I am home!"

Mom and her Grands! So blessed!

I love this woman.....and what a blessing she is to me. My mommy, my confidant, my children's Grammy and my friend. (She has also installed in me some great lessons....cooking, again, being one of them!)
Did I mention, I am blessed?!

Me and Granny
The miles have seperated us more than we would like.....but, as soon as she hugs me, I know I am home. She has planted some great things in me over the years. She has taught me to love and care for others....and have faith in my Jesus. She is not only a prayer warrior..... She is a prayer Queen!

We also got to travel to Emporia to be with some of Sean's family at Uncle Mike and Aunt Joyce's house. Aunt Julie and Uncle Doug were there, too. It is always so great to get together with them. Lots of good times. Just never enough time!

Sean's dad, Bill, and the girls.

Sean and his Uncle Mike

Maddie, Jared and Melissa's little sweetie, and Seth tore up the piano....and honestly, I think they tore up everything they were around that day. Thank you, guys, for putting up with us! Maddie and Seth made an instant connection! For not having been around each other for a long time, it was really sweet, and proves that family ties are just instilled! I love that!

Melissa and I. What sweet time we enjoyed together!

Joyce, Michaela and Caesie. Sweet blessings!

This is just a sweet picture I took on the way back to my Texas home from my Kansas home. It gave me a warm feeling inside.....just a sense of security. It made me think about how those big towering things were never there before, back when Emma was a little baby, and we would travel home for the holidays. We never used to see anything but an occasional windmill or some cows in the field against beautiful Kansas sunsets. The road is still long. Home is still home. Family bonds are still as strong as ever. Some have passed away.....some are still in the same place....some of us have grown up and changed with life.....but all of them still bless me for who they are and have become. Now, more than ever, it occurs to me that "the more things change.....the more they stay the same". And, for that...

I am thankful!