Thanksgiving 2015

 

We had a pretty laid back Thanksgiving. Did most of my shopping Wednesday morning before all of the crazy crowds hit the stores.

 

Wednesday night we were in church celebrating Thanksgiving blessings. WABC celebrates on Thanksgiving Eve with three other churches and the pastors rotate each year. This year Marc did Thanksgiving service. I December we will fellowship again Christmas morning.

 

Thursday morning I got up bright and early to start preparing for the trek over to Quisha's new apartment. She offered to host this year. Maybe next year it will be Nicki's turn since she will be married next year.

 

I cooked collard greens, mac and cheese, string beans. corn and stuffing. Nicki and Byron provide dessert while mom and Quisha took care of the turkey (it was her first and she got a lesson from mom on how to dress one.

 

 

My only plate of food that night. Everything was good but usually after I do a big cook I just don't have much of an appetite. And that's not from taste testing. LOL

Marc discussing something (not sure what, but something lol) with Byron.

 

Mom and Quisha chilling on the sofa. LOL

 

Nicki was in her phone. LOL

 

This was probably the first year I did not do any major Black Friday shopping. As a matter of fact at one point Marc and Quisha braved the crowds  at Walmart while I stayed back at the apartment.

Cancer Walk



Yesterday I got to participate in the Susan G Komen Cancer Breast cancer walk. My grandmother died from cancer when I was a child and I have had many friends effected by this disease. Including a very good friend named Sonia.

 

 

 

 

Sonia and I have known each other over 20 yrs. She is my youngest daughters Godmother. She has become very active in the organization since she was diagnosed a few yrs ago. Thankfully she is in remission. 

 

Last year when I participated I realized just how out of shape I was so I began "training" this time around. One of my church members Mazie agreed to walk with me on a regular basis. And honestly if it wasn't for her I don't think I would have continued. Unfortunately I had been having really bad pains in my arms and legs since helping our oldest to move and had been on muscle relaxants so I was not sure I could even make it around the track one time let alone the two that would equal three miles.

 

 

I had so much support on this day from my hubby, to my youngest daughter Nicki, and two of my cousins.

 

I have been participating for many yrs in this walk and I was determined I was not going to let anything stop me from going (the walk had even been postponed a month because of bad weather).

 

And guess what?? I didn't! I made it around the course both laps!!!! Granted I will probably pay with pain the rest of the week but it was worth it.

 

This man is always telling me I can do anything if I just try and I appreciate so much just how supportive he is. I don't know what I would do without him in my life. 

 

 

Of course these three are pretty fantastic themselves. I have said it time and again that I have been blessed with an amazing family and I thank God for them daily!!!

 

We celebrated after the event with lunch at Panera's and I'm telling you my broccoli and cheese soup had never tasted soo good.

 

 

 

It was so much fun hanging with this group of ladies yesterday! I love each of them to the moon and back!!!

Moving on up!!

They say you children move back home at least once. I think Quisha is on her own now after having to stay with us for a year when her and her room mate gave up their place and the job she had almost since the end of college unexpectedly ended. I'm very proud of her though because once she makes up her mind she's going to do something she does (I especially saw that this summer when she traveled cross country and back, all while studying to get her Masters degree..she graduates next May). This weekend we helped her move into her own apartment but I guarantee in a few yrs we will be moving her into her first house (it's at the top of her list).

As much fun as I've had planning the decorating portion the actual moving part was not as much fun and my body is still feeling the effects nearly one week later!! But she's in and that is all that matters!!

I took this picture last Friday when she went to pick up her keys. 

Keys in hand!! 

We did a quick run through and then started bringing in the stuff we had in the car. 

Her dad had already collected her stuff from storage early that morning but he had to work that day and did not get to her place until 10:30 pm. Needless to say it was nearly 2 an before we got home! 

I did get her bathroom done that night and our cousin Gee came over to help clean and we shared the first meal in the new place with her! 

Saturday morning Nicki and I met my mom over there again and knocked out a bit more of the decorating. Q is determined to host Thanksgiving on next Thursday so there was a bit if urgency!! 

Not bad if I do say so myself!! I know the goal is for your children to grow up and be on their own, so I'm very grateful I've had them around as long as I have but if I'm being honest my home won't be the same without my girls in it. With the wedding next year and TJ even talking a out finding his own place I'm not going to be as excited about the holidays come 2016 because it will be the first time I've not had all my babies under one roof. Guess it's really time to start planning those family holiday vacations! 

7 Year Anniversary

 

Its hard for me to believe its been seven years since Marc first became Pastor at WABC.

 

I'm so proud of this man. This has been a tough year for us but what I love about this man is that he does not let anything stop him from being the man God has called him to be. He is truly my hero.

 

Anyone who knows us knows that Marc and I love music. Sundays service was filled with music. With our special guest the Kingston Jubilees as well as our guest speaker who closed out his sermon by playing his saxophone. 

My auntie enjoying the music.

 

You can't have a celebration without food.

 

Or cake!!!

 

Beautiful cards and gifts. You can see glimpses of the day (in video form) by going to WABC's Facebook page.

Weekend Activities Part 1

I feel like I have become a broken record when I say how busy my weekends are. But it is what it is. LOL Life is just busy this time of year.

Friday evening I attended our Pastor Wives organization meeting. We got to see the launch of our website (truly a first for the organization and much needed in order to bring us into the 21st century).

I have been a part of this organization for nearly 10 years. I have always loved how we have woman from every age. and I especially appreciate the older ladies. Some who have probably been in the organization as far back as my grandmothers time. It was so funny seeing them all excited to be a part of a selfie. Even if they didn't necessarily understand what a selfie is. LOL

 

 

 

Saturday I went with my oldest daughter to her churches dedication service for their Hope Center (it will be a banquet facility as well as a place for conferences and workshops and much more). Marc and I actually had a conversation after this event discussing the differences every Pastor has where it comes to the vision for their church. One pastor may be focused on a building and what that building can do for their congregation and their community. Whereas in n my husbands case if you have listened to him for any amount of time you would know his first priority is to love people, serve well and reach outside the walls of the church. One persons vision isn't better then the other. God just gives his leaders different visions and as the congregation (if we trust our pastor) we should have no problem following the vision that God has given them. If its not really from God you won't see it flourish anyway. Better to follow the path has for you then be disobedient!

October babies

 

This past weekend we surprised my mom and my youngest daughter Nicki for their birthday. My mom thought we were hosting a party for her and Nicki thought we were surprising my mom. The surprise ended up being on them!

 

 

Nicki when she realized we were surprising her. LOL

 

October is a busy birthday month in our family. Only four were at the party but I have at least 4 more family members who were born in October.

 

Mom and Nicki opening gifts.

 

Some of the birthday girls favorite meals.

 

I think my mom enjoyed herself!

 

I brought cupcakes but my sister made a special cake for the birthday girls.

 

Nicki and her maid of honor.

 

Two of my bestfriends drove out to the country to help us celebrate. Sonia (the one on the left) is Nicki's godmother.

 

 

My mom and I with our sister cousins!

 

Nicki and the rest of the C-Unit (aka cousins). My mom was born on Halloween so the girls thought she would get a kick out of their costumes.

 

 

Me  and the birthday girl.