Thankful we are

Thanksgiving came to our house disguised as a pilgrim this year. This is Todd and his niece, our granddaughter, Madi, posing for us as John Smith and Virginia Dare. Madi chose not to appear in period costume but Todd decided he would. He wasn't happy with the meal of the day, however, wishing instead for succotash, fresh venison and quail. The now traditional fare of turkey, dressing, mash potatoes and gravy was in ample supply. Along with the very popular early Plymouth drinks Coca Cola and southern sweet tea. So the rest of us ate largely, with one end of the table taking a special liking to pickles, sweet and dill.

Daniel wide open

I took Daniel for a run in a field just across Route 11 sans leash and he did really well. Came to me when I called. Something he would never do before. Having been loose on the streets I think he decided he was an "emancipated" dog.

On a more serious note, in spite of having three books sitting here to finish for the course I am working on, I have been researching three of the creeds that most Christian bodies refer to in their statements of faith. The Nicene Creed, formuated about AD381, the Definition of Chalcedon or Chalcedon Creed, agreed upon in AD451, and the Apostles Creed derived from the former two in AD750. It is intriguing to me that a creed organized over 1200 years ago remains the central fiber of our worship.

In spite of all of the yammering (technical term there) back and forth about daily sin or no sin, creation or evolution, escutology and dual or single natures of Christ we still gravitate to one short statement of faith. I find solace in that and a strength through longivity. That Christ remains central proves his existance.

Mari's Baby Shower for Jill

We had Jill's baby shower for Amari Roza this afternoon, then had dinner with the family at Jill's house. Christy & Juli, Jill's cousins, came in from Kentucky along with Christy's 6 month old Callie. Friends Jane Wright, Principal Jane Wright to be politically correct, along with her daughter, Andrea, were there. Mary Ann and her daughter Krista were there. Deborah and Kaili, her daughter from China, Todd and Diana, Chad and Lesa with their daughter, Madison, and Georgiann and I were there as well.

Had a nice time visiting with firends we don't get to see often. The babies were all so pretty. The presents so nice. Food so good. All is well.

The last picture is the cousins and cousins by marriage that were at dinner. 5 were missing. Couldn't make it. Justin, Meagan, Kevin, Robert (known as BOB in some circles) and Lyn.

Such a beautiful baby

Madison came along with dad Chad and mom Lesa to have pizza with the family last Friday evening. I am amazed every time I get to be with this child. To see her perfect little features, feet and toes, hands and fingers, her sparkling blue eyes and amazing complexion is a delight.

I realize all babies are wonderful gifts to us, but to see a child that is in part a part of yourself is such a thrill. I have visited a number of countries in the world, spending time in Asia (RPI & Japan), Africa (Kenya) and South America (Argentina & Peru), and in all of them I was so taken with the babies and children. My heart went out to the young children in all of the countries. They are so precious and so beautiful.

I have a LOT of pictures of children from all of the countries I have visited.

And I have seen the imperfect children as well. The lame, the blind, the crippled, the sick, the hungry, and the abandoned and forgotten. That breaks your heart. More than the disfigured and diseased the biggest tragedy are the abandoned and forgotten.

Pretty soon we will have in our family a beautiful little Ethiopian baby girl. When the time is right there will be lots of pictures of her here and on Jill's blog. We have already fallen in love with her.

Both Madi and Jill's baby are such perfect little girls. God created masterpieces when they were concieved. All babies come into the world to be loved, and we certainly love ours.

New Ole Paint

Brought home a new/old truck today. New to me, old to the dealers. But I think it will be just fine. Only has 16K miles a year on it. Our CRV is running over 21K miles a year. Pretty amazing. And the truck, a 2001, is worth significantly more than the 2002 CRV.

On a totally different topic. Just how do you suppose this dog

Did this?

Goodbye Ole Paint. Take your deserved rest.

Toyotas never die natural deaths. They are all killed by someone.

This is the result of a back tire deflating and nearly coming off the rim on the interstate this morning about 4:40. Due to the age of the truck and the damage I am guessing it will be totalled. I have my eye on a 2001 Toyota truck and a 2004 Nissan truck. I am going to go look the Toyota over very carefully tomorrow when I get off work. Depending on what happens there I may or may not go look more closely at the Nissan.

I have been very busy the last month. Work is pretty much out of control. At least I can't seem to get caught up. Caught up to where I think I need to be. No one has really come down on me, but I certainly feel like I can't get done.

Work on the 1/2 bath downstairs is coming along very slowly. Not much to report there. Nothing much to report on Jill's adoption progress, either.

Hope to have better and more news soon.