Thanksgiving Time

Thanksgiving was suppose to bring Richard, Amy, Walker and Lucy up to Henderson.

They got as far as Clanton, AL, when Lucy started complaining about a sore throat.

They stopped and she was diagnosed with strep so they turned back around to head to Auburn.

Walker was ADAMANT that he come to Tennessee, so he and Richard headed back up this way.

I know 3 kiddos who were very glad to see each other although they missed Miss Lucy so much.

The love is pretty evident, isn't it?

We even ventured over to our house for a movie and tent one afternoon.

While we were so thankful for Richard and Walker coming, we missed Amy and Lucy so much and can't wait to see them again.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

This year my kids have been WAY into Thanksgiving this year.  Every time we came home from church, they would count how many houses already had their Christmas decorations displayed.  Laura Beth just was fed up the Sunday before Thanksgiving and announced to the whole car,

"Don't people realize we have Thanksgiving BEFORE Christmas??!!

We need to be THANKFUL!!!"

So what are we thankful for . . . .

 Aunt Amy's AMAZING chocolate chocolate chip muffins!!!!
(Here are her additions to the recipe:  I added more chocolate chips, omitted the nuts, used 1.5 c milk, and 3/4c cocoa powder, 3 tbls oil, and did not sprinkle with sugar.)

 pulling the wish bone . . .

sweet sugar from little members of the family . . . 

 true feelings coming out  . . .

time to just relax and enjoy those around us . . . 

Thankful for Baby Smiles

Needless to say, Walker was a hit at Thanksgiving!!!!  Everyone took their turn trying to get this little precious one to S-M-I-L-E!!!!

I found MY spot to get Walker to smile! Love stealing kisses!

Pop and Bub try to get Walker to smile.  The end product . . .

Cousins are always all smiles when they are together!

Uncle Damon is getting his time in to get Walker to smile!!!!

Happy First Thanksgiving, Walker!

We Loved Making You Smile

While You Made Us Smile!

Thankful for Generations

4 Generations - Richard, Walker, Mary Katherine and David Willis

Walker getting to meet his great-grandmother, Mary Katherine Willis.
Afterwards she said, "That was special!"

James Walker Whittle & James Walker Willis

Great Papa Whittle with his 5 great grandchildren (2 more on the way!) - Carter (7), Papa, Laura Beth (8),
Walker (3 months), Andrew (2), and Mary Beth (2)

4 Generations of Whittles - Dwina, Walker, Walker and Richard

To say that family is a blessing is a major understatement!!! What a blessing we had this Thanksgiving week to see generations get together!!  Not many families can say that, and we are immeasurably blessed to have generations together on a regular basis.  We are so thankful for those that went on before us and those who are pressing on before us here on earth.  They have laid such foundations for our family.  It is my prayer that we continue to build on those foundations for many years to come!

Thankful for Our Church Family

I love our church family at Henderson.  (Again bringing up my Air Force background) We were very fortunate to be a part of congregations that WERE our family.  These church families have molded me into what I am today and, with the exception of the church family from when I was 8 days old-3 years, I have fond recollections for every church family we were a part of during my young life.  However, through all of our travels, Henderson was always a constant because that is where Grandmama was.  Papa Whittle didn't stay at Henderson until some 10 years ago or so.  He would preach for smaller congregations around Henderson to help them, but Grandmama was always at Henderson.  I had friends at Henderson even when we did not live here.  These friends and I would get together, go to camp together, and stay in touch throughout the year - before email, cell phones and texting.  

Therefore, when my family moved back to Henderson (upon all of our retirement from the Air Force), it was moving back home - only this time we would not have to leave for awhile.

One of my favorite days of the year at church is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Classes are cancelled and a devotional is planned in the auditorium.  While the devotional is always stellar, it is what I see before, during and after the devotional that is special.  I love walking into the auditorium to see who has come home, to see new additions to families (I got to show off our new addition this year!), to see how the little ones have grown and to see the spaces of those who are not with us anymore but are there with us anyways.  I love seeing all the families sitting together.  There are not teenage rows, senior citizen rows or even families with young children rows.  There is the Johnson row, the Bloomingburg row, the Shull row, the McKenzie row, the Whittle row, etc.  How special it was this year for the Whittle row to take up 3 rows!!!!!  We were all there except Chuck (who we SORELY missed) and it was just so special to see Papa surround by his family!

Again, God knew what He was doing when He gave us - not only a physical family but a spiritual one as well.  And how blessed am I to have both intertwine!!!

Carter, Laura Beth, Mary Beth, Andrew and Great Papa Whittle - a Tradition - sitting with Papa on the stage after church.

Thankful for Older People

Growing up in an Air Force family, we lived many hours (and sometimes days) away from our grandparents.  However, God provided us adopted grandparents, aunts and uncles who stepped into those roles for my brothers and me.  How thankful I am to God for placing those people in my life.  My kids are extremely blessed because they live close to 2 grandparents and have lived (and known well) 4 great grandparents!!  They are even more blessed to have aunts and uncles around them on a regular basis.  However, that has not stopped us from "adopting" older people we come in contact with at church and other places.  Carter, especially, has a big heart for these people.  His teacher at school has an aunt who has moved from West Virginia to Henderson into an assisted living home.  He is constantly talking about "Aunt Danny," so I thought it would be great for the kids in his class to make some things for the residents and "Aunt Danny."  I searched high and low (and all throughout the internet) for an easy Thanksgiving project and came up with this (which now I can't find the website where this was - oh well!).  It was great - It was easy - It turned out nothing like I thought they would.  However,  that is perfectly fine with me. The kids LOVED making the turkeys their own and kept talking about how this would make the older people's holidays so special.  

THEY GOT THE POINT!!!!  

It was so much fun seeing them put thought into what they were making.  I even found some kits from Oriental Trading and the kids worked together to weave Indian corn.  All in all it was a success and EVERYONE was happy!

Carter with his turkey.

Friend Drew with his turkey and Indian Corn

Friend Pearce with his turkey and Indian corn.

Thankful for Family

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at RoRo and Bub's (my aunt and uncle) house this year. We loved being together with family and people like family. My favorite part of Thanksgiving this year was seeing the young cousins play together. They were so sweet and really enjoyed being together.

Pop and his girls

My mom (Dwina), Pop Whittle, and RoRo (Rosemary)

Pop Whittle and his greats!
Carter (6 years), Mary Beth (1 year), Laura Beth (7 years) and Andrew (1 year)

Carter led the cousin train with Andrew and LB following

right behind!

Smile for the camera, Pop!

Andrew liked the cupcakes I made!

Mary Beth loved her baby doll! She was so sweet!

Cupcakes to Gobble over

I found this cupcake recipe on Family Fun and loved it! There were super easy to make and everyone enjoyed them so much!

Turkey Cupcakes

box of cake mix

(bake according to cupcake instructions)

chocolate frosting
one box of Rite Bite shortbread cookies

candy corn

red and white decorating icing

Bake the cupcakes according to instructions and ice when cooled. Stick candy corn down into the icing. Place 3 shortbread cookies as seen in the picture (2 for wings and one for the head). I cut off part of the white from candy corns for the beak and then added red and white icing for the little touches.

Watch your family (of all ages) gobble these cupcakes right up!

A Kindergarten Thanksgiving

Damon and I were blessed to be able to go to Carter's Thanksgiving feast at school and what a feast it was! There was so much food for all the students, teachers and family members. We loved being with the kids and seeing our little Indian interact with the other members of his class.

Our little Indian, Carter
Part of our family

Lawson and his momma and daddy

What are we thankful for? Good friends like Robbie,

Lawson and Tucker!

Thanksgiving in Texas

Tuesday after the wedding, we took Laura Beth out of school early (I know we are bad, but you would not want to drive through Memphis at 5:00 either!) to head to Texas. We rarely get to go to Texas over Thanksgiving because of Damon having to work up until the Wednesday before. It makes for a long trip for everyone and a very long recovery. However, we were able to go this year and we all enjoyed a house full of four generations for our Thanksgiving meal.Mama C, Damon's mom, had lots of "help" in the kitchen. Laura Beth did a great job setting the table and doing other odd jobs for Mama C. Granny Welch, who came in 6 hours to see all of us, was the biggest help for Mama C and we were all VERY thankful to have this special lady with us. We have all learned to take advantage of every opportunity you have and I will always take pictures with grandparents and great grandparents when given the opportunity. We will treasure these pictures of Granny Welch with her son, grandsons and great grandchildren.

Things I am blessed with and thankful for:

1. a vehicle to keep us safe on trips

2. safety on long trips

3. not having to stop to eat (it makes the 6 hour trip SO much faster)

4. music to fill our car

5. when the children sleep on trips

6. a quiet back seat on trips (means they are getting along)

7. getting through Memphis by 1:00

8. getting in by dark

9. family greetings

10. cousins

11. In-laws who are glad you came

12. a sarcastic older brother in law

13. my sister in law, Rebecca (we share so much - including names!!)

14. my children building relationships with family

15. Target

16. Starbucks

17. coffemate for coffee (thanks, Amy!)

18. not having to get up at 3:45 to go shopping

19. the alarm going off at 6:30 instead!

20. Canasta card games

21. divided houses for rival football games

22. Colt McCoy's Christian example to my children

23. A Texas stomping of A&M (my husband was happy!)

24. a quick healing tongue (LB bit 2 holes in her tongue while playing)

25. children sleeping past 7:00

26. Lifeway Christian Bookstore's Black Friday sales

27. finishing one Christmas present while in Texas

28. my children WANTING to watch the Macy's parade with me

29. snuggle times with my Addison

30. pillow fights with my Addison and Johnathan

Thankful for Carter

Last Monday, Damon and I were very blessed to be able to eat lunch with our Carter. His preschool held a Thanksgiving feasts for all the students and parents the last hour of school. Not only were we able to eat with our little guy, we were able to spend time with Lawson and Brandon Young (pictured in the collage), two of our special friends. I know with the wedding and all, I have slacked big time on my thankful/blessing lists. Therefore, I am going to try to catch up a bit:

1. Carter

2. Carter's preschool

3. Mrs. Beth and Mrs. Amanda, Carter's teachers

4. Good friends for my children

5. Damon was off the WHOLE week of Thanksgiving - a first EVER!!

6. Good food

7. Time to spend with Carter

8. Laura Beth

9. No homework on the Monday of Thanksgiving

10. The internet

11. Being able to see Richard and Amy's professional wedding pictures 2 days after the wedding