Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I thought I should at some point wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I know that I haven't posted anything new lately, we have been pretty busy, and quite frankly, there hasn't been a whole lot of photo ops going on, but we have had a good week or two.

Sometimes Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas, but this year I don't want that to happen. I must confess, I did get out the Christmas music! But I only listened to ONE CD and it was an instrumental, so I don't think that should count!

We are headed to Wyoming to see the kiddos. I am very thankful that we can do this. It will be good to see them, but too short a visit. I miss them alot. So instead of getting sad about how much I miss them, I will write a list of what I am thankful for. It won't be comprehensive!

1. I am thankful for my family. All of you!

2. I am thankful for my husband (and for my mom and dad, who made us get married even when we got cold feet and cancelled the wedding on Thanksgiving day 1983)

3. I am thankful for Thomas -who married Kristine. He completes her. They are definately better together than apart!

4. I am thankful for Alena - who married Nick. She loves him just like he is. I remember thinking after I met her the first time, "she should meet Nick." Remarkably, I had nothing to do with them getting together.

5. I am thankful for Andrew - he allows me to grow and see Christ everyday.

6. I am thankful for Sam - he makes me laugh and reminds me that God knows exactly what He is doing even when I didn't want to be pregnant with my fourth child.

7. I am thankful for my church family - those in Oregon, Montana,Wyoming and even in Illinois. Today was the first time Brett and I stayed after church visiting with people. It proves we know people now.

8. I am thankful for the missionaries and Regional Directors and Home Office staff of AMF. They are dedicated people, eager to spread God's word, even if it means doing the hard thing.

9. I am thankful for my relationship with my family - my sisters, my dad, my brother and my own kids. How great to have a family who loves each other. (no fistfights at the holiday gatherings).

10. I am mostly thankful for my relationship with Jesus. It never ceases to amaze me that He loves me in spite of my complaining, whining and general sinfulness. I am like pure, white snow in His eyes. Thank you, Father, for the love of Your Son.

So, that sums up my Thanksgiving thoughts. Sorry it was long, but I hope that it makes you think about what you are thankful for!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Fall is...falling!

Well, the big maple tree in the backyard finally decided to drop it's leaves, right on to our roof. Which means lots of leaves on the ground and lots of leaves in the gutters. For Sam it means a legitimate trip up on the roof!!This big tree overhangs the balcony of the house and half of the rest of the roof. It is really gorgeous, but makes for lots of leaves.
Sam looks like he's the Captain of all he surveys.

He's not.

Sam went up on the balcony, swept off the roof and cleaned gutters. He was going to go up higher, but I thought I'd wait until Brett got home, then he could watch out for him.

Scooping out the gutters above the office.

He's the MAN!

Meanwhile, the demon squirrel of Emily Street watches from a nearby tree.

(My camera has such a good zoom on it!)

He knew I was taking pictures because he posed for this one, then turned tail and ran!

And he's gone.

Enjoy the fall. We sure have been.

The Life of a Dog...

This post is really for my son and his wife. It is just so they know that the dog is doing well. She obviously has a very hard life. Eating, sleeping, barking, sleeping, getting petted, sleeping, barking at the demon squirrel and the mailman, sleeping...well, you get the picture.

"Oh, you want to take my picture? Wait, my ears are inside out!"
Silly dog.

Boredom on a Saturday night!

Okay, so there isn't alot to do in my small town. You have to drive 30 miles to see a movie, eat at a Culvers or go to Staples. It is pretty slow. This is how Sam spent the days after Halloween. Can you guess what it is??

If you guessed "all the leftover smarties from the Halloween candy" You'd be right! We thought the picture would make a really good puzzle!

This is the whole thing. It lasted about a day...then we all started eating the candy.

Brett had to do his annual after Halloween shopping on Monday. He picked up a couple of things. We have puppet size viking helmuts but he picked up these that happen to fit us. So, I had to try out the tripod and timer on the camera! Pretty silly.
Helga and Thor

Well, surely I can find something better to do.

Some silliness...

Okay, don't ever accuse the Belleque's of being too serious! A friend introduced me to a site that puts a picture of you into an old yearbook photo, so I had to do it, just for fun. And I have been laughing ever since! Let me tell you.... I am not ashamed...I'd look good in 1967! Oh, and I think I look like someone from the movie "Hairspray"! Maybe Miss Baltimore Crabs?
I have to try a mullet on Brett, good thing those went out in the 80's!

Just goes to show you that Kristine looks good in any era! I kinda like the "flip" on her!

Like father, like son. I didn't realize they were the same until after I finished. Pretty funny, tho. A little like early MacGyver, huh?

Enough silliness, you hear??

Hmmmm....

I feel like I need to say something about the recent election here in America. I am not a political person but here are my thoughts. Here in America we have so much. We don't even begin to understand hunger or poverty, not at the level that other countries experience it. We are so blessed by God, even those who do not believe, that we figure we deserve all of the wealth, safety and security that we have and take for granted, but it is all a gift from God.
My encouragment to you is to remember that God is in control. Presidents will come and go, but God never changes. The world will change, but God will not. That is why I have confidence that no matter what happens in this world, my God will not change, He isn't surprised by any of this.
So here is what I am going to do: I am going to love my husband and my family. I am going to do my job, cut my coupons, encourage my friends, be available to those who hurt and keep going in a direction that furthers the kingdom of God. AND I am going to trust that God will continue to bless my socks off!
Jeremiah says it all "I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to bring you a future and a hope". Jer. 29:11
Have a great day!