Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! We have so much to be thankful for! This year we made a mantle of thanksgiving above our fireplace. Here we placed cards, pictures, drawings, any reminders of what we were thankful for. We also had colored paper leaves that anyone could write on what they were thankful for and tape it to the string hung over the mantle. As I look over our collection of the past few weeks, I see reminders of family, friends, food, God, life, salvation, freedom, and nature!

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His faithful love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

What are you most thankful for this year?

Remembering Grandpa Bud

Well, the days are finally slowing down from all the hubbub of the past week and a half. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my Grandpa Bud passed away in his sleep the night before Violet birthday. The days after were filled with birthday celebrations, as well as TONS of phone calls back and forth to arrange family visits and funeral logistics. We had a fun weekend celebrating Violet, and a couple days to relax before the busyness kicked into high gear on Wednesday. Randy flew out of Fresno to Denver on Wednesday morning for the National Hemophilia Conference. A couple hours later, my parents flew in from Kansas. They had a little time to relax before driving down to Visalia to help my Grandma put together some photo displays for the memorial service the following day. Ben flew in later that night as well. All Grandpa's "growing up" pictures, as well as some black and white of when my mom was young (click on the picture to see it closer up). We had a good time looking over photos with Grandma and thinking about fun times and family get-togethers! There were so many family members there...my grandpa's living siblings and their spouses, kids and even grandkids. Cousins I hadn't seen in over 10 years! We all had dinner together at my aunt's house that evening and had a good time catching up. Thursday morning was my grandpa's memorial service. It was a nice service with lots of my grandpa's favorite hymns, a message from his pastor, and some memories shared by my mom, my dad, and my mom's two sisters as well. I recorded the reading of the eulogy on my camera to download for those of you that couldn't make it to the service, but I can't manage to get it off my camera and onto my computer...so let me give you a summary.

My grandpa, Maynard "Bud" Meredith, was born on September 11, 1917. He passed away on November 5, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Verle, his three daughters, his 8 grandchildren, and 5 and 1/2 (Ben and Alli are expecting) great-grandchildren. During World War 2 he served with honor in the United States Air Force as a staff sergeant in Italy, keeping the radios and gunnery equipment of the B24s in flying order. Within a month after returning home, he eloped with my grandma, Verle Jackson (a Navy Wave control tower officer), thus helping out the statistic for 1946, the year that more couples were married than any other year in U.S. history. He served over 30 years for the Southern California gas company. Upon retiring at 55, he and my grandma served for ten years as missionaries in Spain, France, Germany, England, Greece, and Australia. He died in the little home he built and loved (in Visalia, CA). And was carried out lovingly with an American flag draped over him, honoring him for his service to a country he loved and served faithfully.

We had a wonderful time remembering my grandpa and visiting with friends and extended family over a lunch, given by some members of my grandpa's church, through the afternoon and into the evening, as we ate dinner together at my aunt's house with food so lovingly prepared and brought by so many of my grandpa's friends and family. My grandma got out more of her old pictures and we had a great time reminiscing, and even laughing over some pictures we'd never even seen before (especially the ones from my grandparents' honeymoon)! Grandma also wanted to clean out some of Grandpa's clothes to give to us kids and grandkids...which actually turned into a fun (although emotional at times) and memorable time of trying on shirts, ties, hats, boots, and even his uniform (that is the one item we all decided should stay with Grandma).

Well, my brother left early Sunday morning, Randy flew back in Sunday afternoon, and my parents flew out Tuesday afternoon (luckily there was some overlap so my parents and Randy could visit).

Thank you so much to everyone that sent cards, brought food, came to the memorial service, called to check in on me or my parents, or have helped out with my kids in the last week! Without the myriad of people helping with my kids over the past few days I could not have helped Grandma with her photos, ran all my errands, gotten to places on time (or picked up my kids from school on time), had a chance to catch up with cousins, or had a night out with Randy and my parents! I cannot say thank you enough! Enjoy all the pictures from the past week! Audrey and my Aunt Yvette (my dad's sister) at the memorial service lunch. All my cousins. Ben, my Grandpa Porter, and my dad. (L-R) My brother Ben, my dad Bruce, Isaac, Audrey, my mom Janice, Violet, and me. My brother and I. Some cousins and Grandma, all with hats from Grandpa. Ben in Grandpa's uniform. A silly picture of Uncle Ben and G.G.Ma (taken by Audrey). Isaac shootin' some hoops with Uncle Ben. Audrey and Violet dancin' in the kitchen with Grandma Janice. Audrey and Isaac with my aunt's cat, Jasmine. Audrey and I goofing out in the warm sun at a Porter family lunch. All these events wore Miss Violet out! Isaac in one of G.G.Pa's hats. Audrey and Grandpa Bruce doing what they love...drawing. Yeah...Randy's home! Relaxing together at our final dinner together with my parents on Monday night.

Way to go Dad!

Yesterday Randy completed his first half marathon in 1 hour, 49 minutes! He ran with two friends, Luke Algrim and Jaime Jacinto, in the inaugural Trail of Two Cities Marathon through Fresno and Clovis. The kids and I made it out to the cheer site at the 8 mile mark, then hopped in the car to drive to the 12 mile mark. The trail past that is enclosed in the curve toward Woodward Park, and then weaves a little into Woodward before crossing the finish line. All that area was considered the "Runners' Village" and could be entered only with a pre-paid pass. It was crazy! 3000 people participated in the two races, and the streets and neighborhoods all along the trail were blocked off. We had a fun time seeing Randy run and are so proud of him and his accomplishment. Way to go, Dad! The kiddos out at Cheer Site Mile 8. It was a chilly, windy morning! Violet waiting for Daddy around mile 12. Yeah! Here comes Dad! Great job Dad! We're so proud of you!

Violet's 3rd birthday

Violet had a fun week celebrating her birthday! On Wednesday (her actual birthday), she went with her Auntie Christa and Lolly (Charlotte) to Build-a-Bear in the mall to, what else? Make a bear for her birthday. She also named the bear Birthday, and dressed her in a princess/fairy outfit, like her birthday party theme. That night she got to go out with Grandma Arlene for a cupcake and to Michael's craft store to pick out craft supplies for her party on Saturday. Grandma Arlene was going to get Violet a bounce house for the party, but the orthopedic doctor that gave Violet her cast said to wait until the thumb heals. It actually turned out OK considering it was raining Saturday night during Violet's party! Friday night, Violet got to choose where we went to eat for the night (with all the hubbub of the week, I didn't feel like cooking). She chose to eat at Ginza Gourmet Teriyaki down the street. It's funny how we've eaten there twice and she just LOVES it! We have to sit at the same table with the same booster seat each time too. Sorry, no picture. And Saturday was her party. She invited four friends...Charlotte, Kennedy, Mya, and C.J., which all came with their families, plus Grandma and Uncle Kevin, of course. Violet adding stickers to her wand. She manages pretty well with her cast! Mya and Violet, trying so hard to open the gifts by herself. Violet requested a princess cake (aka barbie/bowl cake)...and everything pink and brown. She wanted pink dress with brown sprinkles, and even picked out the paper plates, cups and napkins...no joke!

We had a great time celebrating Violet! Here are some things I love most about Violet right now...

I love that she wants to hold my hand every day when we walk to school and back.

I love that she wants me to kiss her again and again every night when I tuck her into bed. And she giggles every time I nuzzle into her cheek.

I love that she answers "Jesus is God" (at least that's what it sounds like) to every question Randy or I ask after we read our Bible stories before bed.

I love how she sits on the ground and calls out "Lucy" in her highest pitched voice, leaning forward and making a "come" motion with her hands.

I love how she runs to her room after her bath to show Isaac or Audrey her "booty". Although inappropriate, it still makes me giggle and shake my head every time.

I love that she still wants me to pick her up.

I love that she has opinions about most things...what she eats, wears, plays with, and does during the day. It makes me believe that she will not be easily swayed by her peers later in life; she will have the confidence to do what she wants and knows is right, and not what others want her to do.

I love (and cry inside at the same time) to hear her say, "I not the baby, I Violet."

Happy Birthday Violet! Even though you're 3 now, you'll always be my baby!

Taking "Christmas" off

I know it's still weeks away, but this is the time of year when Randy and I, and especially our kids, start thinking towards Christmas. But this year, after spending ten months being mindful of how much I spend, and what I spend it on, our family has decided to say "no" to consumerism this holiday season. We truly have everything we need and more! It is so hard for us to ask for "stuff" when there are so many around the world that have trouble finding food or shelter. So we would like to make some suggestions for you as we think towards Christmas.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is an organization that we know is doing great work across the globe, helping families that live in poverty, or have been affected by a natural disaster. Our family, keeping in step with our desires to eat organic and local (supporting sustainable agriculture), has picked a project to donate to this Christmas season in lieu of gifts for each other. Every $124 raised provides sustainable agricultural training, equipment and seeds for 10 families. Just think, for the price of buying a few Christmas ornaments, or a nice dinner out for four, we could change the lives of 10 families! And you don't have to give $124; you can give whatever amount you would normally spend on a Christmas gift. Click here to give to this project now!

We realize there are some of you out there that love the idea of handing something tangible to someone else during the Christmas season...so here is a second suggestion. If you normally spend $30 on a gift, try to find something of smaller dollar value but still meaningful. Think about making something for your family or friends (Audrey still has pictures her Grandpa or Uncle Ben drew her over a year ago). Or you could give a "coupon". As a kid, I loved getting and making coupons...pretty cards that said things like "This coupon entitles the bearer to one trip to the ice cream store", or "This certificate is good for three hours spent with just me (destination to be chosen by YOU)". We live in a busy, consumeristic society, and we want to teach our kids to slow down, be thankful for what they have, and build strong relationships with their family and friends!

We hope this post helps you think about how you will "do" Christmas this year with your own family and friends. For further thoughts, listen in on Rick McKinley's podcasts titled Advent Conspiracy.

Thank you, in advance, for understanding why we would want to take "Christmas" off this year. We hope you will find joy as you think up meaningful and creative ways to give of yourselves this holiday season!

Celebrating 3 and 91 years

Today we celebrate Violet's third birthday! She has had a wonderful day so far and is taking a nap to recharge herself for some evening fun with Grandma Arlene (I will post about all her celebrations later this week). Today we also celebrate the 91 years of life that God has given to my grandpa. This morning we received news that my mother's father, Maynard "Bud" Meredith, passed away through the night. We ask for your prayers as many travel and memorial arrangements are made in the coming days. Tentative plans are to have the service on Thursday, November 13th in Visalia. Thank you!

Our first broken bone

And the prize goes to...Violet Grace! Sunday night while practicing her "gymnastics" (handstand/somersaults), she took a funny roll and folded her right thumb underneath her. Randy and I both heard the crack. We looked up at each other (we were all relaxing in the living room) and exchanged knowing glances. After an hour and a half, the swelling was minimal due to her letting us put ice packs on it, but it was starting to turn black and blue. She was pretty conscious of holding it away from her body and not letting anyone or anything touch it. So Randy and Violet headed to the ER at Children's for an x-ray. Yup, a clean crack through the bone, between the joints. Luckily, no need for setting it or surgery. Just a splint for the night, and then back up to the orthopedic doctor the next day to get a real cast put on. Violet was a trooper! No crying of fussing at all! Home from the ER...about 11 p.m. Ready to go see the doctor! Look at my cool, purple cast!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a little different for us this year. We usually have fun at our church's carnival (food, game booths, bounce houses, etc.), but I had a bad cold that had me sneezing, coughing, and blowing my nose constantly, and Isaac starting his morning with a sick tummy. So not only did Isaac miss out on his field trip to the pumpkin patch, we stayed home from the carnival. The kiddos still had fun dressing up, walking around the block once for trick-or-treating, and then staying home watching a movie, handing out candy to other trick-or-treaters, and making donuts (granted, more for me)! Spiderman with his mask off. Movie time! Yummy donuts!