Giving Thanks...

I still sit in amazement that Thanksgiving is over. How did it pass me by so quickly? I remember the turkey dinner, the furious shopping, but here it is Sunday evening and am I really supposed to be gearing up for Christmas?

Jeff took Tristan up hunting for the weekend. It was hard for me to let him go, but Jeff was quite firm on the fact that they were going and that he wasn't too young, despite all my pleas that he was.

They had a good time even if they didn't see any deer the whole time. Tristan was excited for the opportunity to target shoot and apparently he did well. I need not worry about my little guy growing up too fast. He still snuggled up to me and got teary in the evening... the sure sign that he was too tired for his own good.

I got to spend Saturday alone with my daughters. I spoiled them with a trip to Build A Bear, and a High School Musical movie marathon. They acted like sisters, with the youngest copying the oldest and the oldest teasing the youngest to no end.

Overall it was a great weekend except that I didn't get to spend as much time with my husband. As usual at the family gatherings, the men head to one side of the house and the women in another. It still surprises me how foreign this feels to me because since there was only three of us in my immediate family growing up, we always did things together. No one was ever segregated and left behind. At least Jeff understands this and puts up with all of us piling into the car to run the silliest errand... and I understand his hunting trips and fishing trips.

I thank God for the low-key times of my life. A lot of times, I worried that I would get used to the crisis mode that our lives were in for many years of my father's illness. That on some level I would need the adrenaline to feel useful and complete. But the truth is that I believe those hectic experiences made me stronger and more confident and appreciative to the quieter times in my life. I'm not sure if I am explaining it clearly, but it feels good to be where I am in my life. There is still room for improvement, but I feel like we are on the right track.

Homemade microwave popcorn

1. Put 1/4 cup popcorn in a brown paper bag. Fold top over a few times and tape it.
2. Place in microwave folded side up for 2 to 3 minutes or until there is 5 seconds between pops.
3. Eat plain or add flavors (such as salt, butter, sugar, etc.)

Dad's birthday

My daddy's birthday is coming up on the 20th. He has been gone for just over a year, but I've been trying to think of a way to honor him. We did do a mass for his one year anniversary of when he passed, but his birthday just seems like a happier occasion, even if he isn't here.

We will do a special dinner with non-alcoholic wine (which is how we celebrate any special occasion in the Bruizeman household). The crystal wine glasses come out (kid-sized even) and we "ching-ching" to happy memories and family.

Dad never liked flowers. I'm sure it brought back memories of when his dad passed when he was young, so I was thinking of setting up a fruit display in his honor and then sharing the fruit with the family. Dad had a way of making things special, even a piece of fruit that he shared.

Love you Papi!

New Beginning

I had the best weekend ever!

Friday afternoon we officially sold our house! Jeff and I did such a great job of packing it all up and breaking down the whole process into small "digestible" chunks. (How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time)

The closing got postponed more times than I remember, but we were fine because we were ready for it. Considering that Jeff and I are such procrastinators, I'm so happy with the whole process.

Saturday morning we drove my mom to OHare airport for her flight to Lima. The trip went super for her and she even got bumped to first class from Houston to Lima! I talked to her last night and she was so happy! It felt like a huge sign from God saying "This is meant to be". Thank you Lord!

After the airport we went to visit good friends who are moving to Belgium for the next two years. The weather was beautiful and we played at the park with the kids and just vegged together. So relaxing and comfortable! I'm going to miss Jeff and Julie Johnson!

Sunday we went to church early, took the kids shopping in Muskegon and went out for lunch. By the time we got back, we relaxed and even "handled" what I would have considered a stressful situation for pre-now Jeff and Marianne. We got asked to babysit at the last minute and we managed to get the house in presentable conditions and had fun visiting with our three little friends!

Jeff and I have been trying so hard to make some good changes in our lives. It really feels like the fruits of our labor are coming in.

Smiles all around today!