Thanksgiving 2011

The last few months have flown by.  November was here and gone in a blink of an eye and now we're into December.  Mr. H and I have had a great couple of months. We've house hunted, gone on dates, and planned what we want for our future. Thanksgiving was great, I of course missed my family but I was in charge of dessert and I made peanut butter pie to remind me of home. 

So here is the time line of our Thanksgiving day:

Mr. H and his dad got up early for the Thanksgiving flag football bowl.  I stayed in bed and then took my time getting ready for the annual bowling. 

Then we went downtown to Rosalinda's to help pass out free Thanksgiving dinner.

By the time we got home it was time for the feast. 

Here are all the pies I made...except for the pumpkin pie grandma made.

And now that Black Friday started on Thursday night we got all of our shopping done by 1 am.  The girls even drug Mr. H and his dad along for all of the fun.

It's Fall Again!

I love Fall! Unfortunately, it doesn't last long.  If it could be Fall year round I would be in Heaven.   I love the changing of the leaves, the cooler weather (notice I didn't say cold), and even the leaves falling.  I know they are a pain to pick up, I've helped Mr. H a time or two while he was working in landscaping, but I love he way the crunch under your feet and swirl around in the wind.

I also love the muted colors.  Weird right?  I am a bright color wearing gal that has been known to mix bright colors into the same outfit.  (As I type I am wearing my neon yellow T-shirt)  But I do think the muted yellows, purples, reds and greens are beautiful.  I've just never been trendy enough to pull it off.

Anyway!  Mr. H and I took a trip to Utah a couple of weeks ago, I can't believe it's been that long, and on the way back we stopped in Vail to take pictures of the pretty leaves and Aspens.  I want that perfect picture of an Aspen grove in my living room.  I didn't get one this trip but I am still hunting.

Have you Forgotten?

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Has it really been ten years? I remember it so well. I was in 8th grade and none of my teachers had said anything. In one of my last classes, a history class, the teacher asked us to have a moment of silence. I didnt know why but I did it anyway. He then takes to us about the military and how we would all end up being drafted. I remember feeling the conversation was very strange.

I didn't hear anything else about what had happened until driving home after school with my mom. She turned on the radio and as recordings from previous news segments played, I was shocked at what I heard, this being the first time I had heard of the attack. My mom explained what had happened. I guess my teachers were too much in shock to tell us or I wasn't listening.

I was glued to the tv the rest of the night, watching the towers fall over and over.

It's amazing how devastating 9-11 was and yet as a nation we have grown stronger. It's amazing how devastating natual disasters are as well and yet as communities and families we have grown stronger. Please watch the following video and know how important family is to me. I know there is a God, a Heavenly Father. And I know he loves me and my family.  

Evacuating

It was just like any other Sunday night. I was in the living room relaxing.  The phone rang and someone picked up but I didn't need to find out out who it was. (9 times out of 10 it's not for me)  Later the phone rang again, this time my mother-in-law picked up.  It was her dad, Grandpa Green, worried about my family down in Texas who were near the fires.

Confused.

I had not heard about the fires or from my family so I assumed they were fine. We let him know they were ok not really knowing if they were.

Unsettled.

I go downstairs and call my dad. I call dad because he is the most reliable at picking up. The line rings. The line keeps ringing. Finally, just before it reaches his voicemail, he answers. 

Joking.

"I am calling to check up on you. Grandpa Green is worried about you guys."  I laughed hoping that by making light of everything there won't be a need to worry. He will laugh too and say they are out of harms way. "We're evacuating now.  We're leaving Connie's and we will head to Seguin."

Silence.

I don't remember the rest of the conversation, honestly. We talked a little more than that, not much, but all I remember is hanging up and heading toward the door to go back upstairs. Before making it to the door I hit the floor crying. I knew my family would be safe but the house we have lived in for 20+ years could be gone by morning.

I regained composure and did my best to update myself on the situation since not 10 minutes before I had no idea about what was going on. I used the news, Google, even Facebook to gather all the information I could and then send it off to other friends and family members who were asking about the area. 

I spent all day Monday checking Facebook by the minute. My family was able to return to their home but they were not sure when they would have to leave again.  Not wanting to be surprised again, I bugged my family for updates.  I bugged everyone on Facebook for updates.

My family made it through the weekend with our house intact. Our extended family was very fortunate as well.

I know I have friends in Texas who have not been as fortunate and my thoughts and prayers are with them as they begin to clear and rebuild. I am grateful to all who took part, and are taking part in containing the fires.

The Rockies

Tonight Mr. H and I joined his parents for the Rockies game. We had fun, especially end when they scored 7 runs in the 7th inning to take the lead and sweep.

Of course I couldn't help but feel like my dad or brother should be there instead. I was greatly worried for everyone but it turned out to be a great distraction from the stress and worry. (More on this to come)

I was still on Facebook every few minutes looking for updates but at least I was out doing something.