Happy Birthday to my nephew, Ben!

He is 11 today! Can't believe it!  Here he is a couple of weeks ago getting his Arrow of Light in Scouts. He is a great nephew! I am thankful for all my siblings' children.

Thankful

I am thankful for my family. My sister Deb made a pie for me that was made with honey and whole wheat flour. It was a fun surprise to eat dessert with everyone. It isn't like I can't eat sugar. I just choose not to. And I don't miss it a bit. So I was just planning to not have dessert...believe me- I always fill up on the main course anyway. But it was a sweet surprise to find out my sister made a pie for me. That was so kind.

It was a good Thanksgiving. Sad that some family members weren't there but it was a fun surprise that Chels and Caitlyn stopped by. (I hope they survived their three Thanksgiving meals they were going to yesterday! I was done just with one!)

I have many blessings.  Many things to be thankful for. A family who loves me no matter what. The foundation of the gospel that guides me especially in these uncertain times we live in. A home that keeps me warm and comfortable. A job that helps me pay my bills. And friends who are here for me. I couldn't ask for more.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!

Sweet Little Guy

A sweet boy that I never met (though I saw him play basketball with one of my nephews once). I was asked by one of my sisters and her husband to draw him for his family. He passed away this summer. 

A Bluebird from Mom

So I was at my sister's house on the 26th-a year to the day since my Mom passed away. In the morning. We were waiting for another sister to come so that we could help her with a project. Pumpkin carving actually. For her work contest.

So as we waited, my sister just suddenly looked out the back window and saw quite a large-sized bluebird sitting on her fence looking our direction. Silly me forgot to take a photo so here is a photo from the internet.

But we like to think that Mom sent it just for her to let us know that she is thinking of us. It stayed long enough that I could look at it for a minute or so too.

The crazy thing is that we have never seen a bluebird here (or at least haven't noticed one.) so we like to think that Mom sent it. We used to see bluebirds in our backyard in North Van and I remember that Mom would show us that they were out in the trees. I remember we were always excited to see them.

Kind of interesting too that just after my brother Jason passed away that I saw a large robin outside my townhouse and once in a while it would seem to look at me. It kept showing up each day for a while. I started calling it Jason---though I question it was the same robin each day. So when I see robins, I think of Jase. Not that Mom or Jase are birds. 

Just a sweet thing to think that mom had something to do with this bluebird coming to visit. I like to think she did. Just to remind us that she is aware of us and loves us so much.