After Thanksgiving dinner we had some pie of course.
We miss you Layla bug, 
The weeks just keep going by faster and faster, but everytime Thursday rolls around it gives me a chance to show how thankful I am.
I am thankful for:
Answered prayers and small miracles: I know the Lord is there and touches my life everyday. He truely answers prayers everyday, I just need to remember to look for them. When I do find them it is so simple and I know He is there. I am truely blessed in many ways.
Sight: I am so blessed to see all the beauty of this world. To see my husband's face everyday, to see my children and what wonderful people they have become. To see Layla and watch her grow and learn. I also love to see the leaves change, they are so beautiful. Campfires, mountains and the beach.
Smell: The wonderful smells of the holidays, the smell of baking and fresh laundry and the smell of my husband when we are cuddling on the couch. The smell of cotton candy and a roast in the oven.
Touch: To be able to hug my husband and kids. To touch fabric and think of the many things I can make. And to hold my little grand-daughter and see how she touches things and learns everyday.
Hear: To hear my husbands voice, he is so positive and loves me and supports me. To hear my kids voices everyday. To hear Layla hollar through the phone. To hear the birds chirp outside and water running down a creek or in a waterfall. To listen to my favorite music.
Taste: To be able to taste all the good and healthy foods and also enjoy in small quantities some goodies that are good to taste but bad for your body. To drink milk and the taste of water when you are really thirsty. But best of all, sugar free popcicles, and once in while a little piece of chocolate, yummy!!!
I know how much you were cherished by your older sister, my mom. 
I would just like to "thank you" for all your love and support. 
Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
You may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington, Maine. 
My friend Cheri emailed this to me and I laughed so hard because this is something my dad or my husband would do. 
I got home from work today, checked my email and received a letter from Solano County that I passed my written exam...Yeah me!! I am so happy. I hope they contact me soon for the next step. In the mean time I am still waiting to hear from Napa if I passed the Bpad test. I really don't care which county I get hired by they would both be great to work for. I just want to get hired.
Here I am trying to accept my trials and wishing the Lord would take them away. I came across this picture and found this example of strength. My mom never complained, she just dealt with whatever the Lord gave her with a smile on her face knowing this was her trial and the Lord would help her though it. She went through so much and finally got her leg, learned to walk on it and was making plans with dad to do some things together...Then the Lord took her home.
I miss you mom and I am so thankful for your example. I wish you were here to give me a pep talk and give me a big hug. Don't give up on me. You are my angel, my strength and example in all things.
I know you know what I am going through and I know you are right here with me, I just miss your voice and your touch and seeing you smile and hearing you laugh. I miss you so much!!!!
Paul tells us:
"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
I know Heavenly Father gives me trials to make me stronger and he never gives me more than I can handle but I am beginning to think he has way too much Faith in me. I know I need to learn patience and I think I have come a long way but maybe He thinks not. I am trying to have faith and be more positive, I hope He realizes I am trying and gives me the strength to persevere. Thanks to all my family and friends for their support, prayers and comfort.
An Angel says: 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place. (my mom always said, a place for everything and everything in its place).
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more. (That is why God gave you one mouth and two ears).
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
Had this story in my email and forgot to post it before Thanksgiving, thought it was cute.
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words,
playing soft music and anything else he could thinkof to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer.
For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer, the parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
I love this picture of Christ, it is probably my favorite. The Hubble Telescope has captured an amazing glimpse of more than 100,000 stars moving about closely together in the M13 globular cluster some 25,000 light-years away. The ball of stars, which resembles a sparkling snow globe, has some of the oldest stars in the universe.
It is absolutley amazing to me how big the universe is, it makes me realize just how small I am. I found this picture on the internet today and it was so beautiful. We are surrounded by such beauty everyday and we don't take the time to notice or appreciate it.
I swore I was going to write a story about this suitcase before I forgot all about it's travels. Well I am almost to the point of forgetting so I thought I better write it down now.
I bought this suitcase at Walmart a few years ago for Matt when he flew down to my sister Debby's house in Orange County, then went with them to Utah back to Orange County, then to the River which is on the California/Arizona boarder, after that he flew back home. Matt has also used it a few time when we went to Utah and took it when he flew to Jen's this summer.
Jen has used it as well, she used it when she was home for Christmas and had to fly back to Mississippi so she could get all her Christmas presents home. She took it on to Nebraska where I brought it home because Pete and I bought too much stuff at Gordmans. I then too it back to Nebraska with more of Jen's stuff. Somehow it ended back at my house and Jen and Jer took it back with them after Thanksgiving with all the goodies we bought for Layla and with some of Jen's stuff, she went through her closet and took a bunch of books and got rid of a bunch of stuff. Thanks Jen.
As you can see this is the cutest little nugget it has ever carried.
I hope this suitcase lasts for a long time as it has had many great adventures and it feels like a part of the family. ...phone call the other day. I tested for the Napa County Jail and the Solano County Jail. I am still waiting for my test results from Solano County, I passed the first test but they abolished the list and started over so I am still waiting...I did get a phone call from Napa County and I have to go in for what they call the B-pad. I guess what it is, is a video of different senerios and situations you might be in, then you have to say and act them out on how you would solve the situation.
I am really nervous, I have never done anything like this before. I am trying to come up with different senerios of what could happen in a jail and how I would deal with them. I have also been watching alot of American Jail on TV. So, anyone out there reading this, please keep me in your prayers that I can pass this test. I don't know if Costco is going to keep me past the holidays and I really need a job. Thanks for all your support, prayers and love.
I love going on ride alongs with Pete. He has such a fun and exciting job...I really wish I had the guts to do something like that.
Always something fun and new, like getting a DUI.
I love my man in uniform
Yes, and I get to set in the car and watch all the excitement.
If you want to see something really funny I am sure you will get a kick out of this old lady pushing carts. I pushed them yesterday for 5 and half hours and thought I was going to die. When I got home I felt like I had been to the UFC. I have to push carts tomorrow and Wednesday...not looking forward to it. This old body just can't take this kind of abuse. I don't know what I am going to do. I really don't want to have back problems....and to top it all off...I really don't know if they are going to keep me after Christmas. What is a girl, I mean an old lady to do?
and this one is the best, thanks for sending it to me aunt Claudia....
...the mother actually works at Home Depot and she was selling a shovel. 
Thursday is upon me again and it gives me the chance to show how thankful I am.
I am thankful for:
Little miracles, I see them everyday and know the Lord is truely blessing me. I start to feel bummed and something will happen where I know the Lord is answering my prayers. I hope I can live up to my end, I know I can with His help.
Family, I am so thankful for family, they are my backbone and strength. I am so blessed with a wonderful family that I know I can count on for anything.
Jobs, sometimes they are not exactly what you expected, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to work. I am still trying to get organized and used to the whole thing but I am sure it will all work out. Praying the economy starts getting better and more people can get jobs after being laid off.
Friends, I know I can call them at a moments notice and they are there for me. Thanks to all of you!!
Matt and I took Jen and her family to the airport. Pete had court. I met him half way and we went on to the Sharks game. We had a great time and visited with one of the guys Pete works with and his wife. The game was great, we played Toronto maple leaves and won 5-2. I am always up for a hockey game, it is fun, fast and exciting. Love the Sharks!!!!
Warming up...
Sharkie reving the fans up and getting them all excited.
The team coming out on the ice
The seats are awesome, you can actually see from pretty much any where in the arena.
We did of course have Jen, Jeremy and Layla, Pete's mom and Jen's friends Chip and Robin for Thanksgiving dinner. We had the traditional foods and the kids all played rock band and mario party all day and the rest of the week. We had a very relaxed and fun time visiting with everyone.
Pete, Matt, Jen, Jer and Layla went to Alcatraz the day before and had a fun time while Wendi and I worked.
We had a great Thanksgiving...I forgot to grab my camera so the following pictures are from the last couple of days.
Layla was busy playing with some old toys I had kept from when the kids were little.
Layla walking around the little table with her cute little baby legs on.
Crawling over by the computer and being caught by grama
Grampa, Grama with Layla and Jer in the background.
Layla loves popcicles.
playing with her little toys.
just being cute.
she wanted to play the drums but ended up eating the drum sticks
she is going to be a rock band star
hanging with aunt Wendi
Grama and granpa got to bath her a couple of nights and had fun
aunt Wendi showing Layla videos of Elmo
Matt playing drums while playing rock band
Jenna playing bass
Jeremy playing the guitar
All of them
Jen likes to eat at In-n-out when she comes home and Jer likes to eat at Carl's Jr.
Grama and Granpa with Layla before we left for the Airport
The Chastain Family
Sisters and a cute little nugget
Wendi saying goodbye to baby Layla, Layla loves her aunt Wendi
saying goodbye to uncle Matt, her favorite uncle.
Jen, Jer and Layla made it home safely. When the got home it was snowing. 
