November Already?

I know - technically, there are 2 more days until November is actually here. But (and I say this EVERY year) I can NOT believe it is almost Thanksgiving AGAIN! It seems like each year just rolls by faster than the one before. I haven't posted since September, because nothing has really happened. I know the point in having a blog is to keep a "journal" of your life or certain situations. But, other than day to day "life" nothing has really been happening. I guess that, in itself, is something to be thankful for. I read the blogs from other parents and families and see how they are dealing with a terminally ill child or parent, or extreme financial issues, or a spouse who has had an accident - and all of these has turned their worlds upside down.
I pray for every one of the families I read about on blogs - and it is funny how I go to the computer to check to see if there are any updates, as if I know them personally. I guess having 3 kids of my own, I can not imagine how it would feel to suddenly be faced with such a tragic situation. I can't imagine dealing with a situation as devastating as that - but I certainly can not imagine facing it without God. He has proven Himself faithful time and time again in big things and little things.
2 weeks ago, My parents were on a 12 day vacation to Niagara Falls, New Hampshire, New Jersey, etc - to see the leaves changing and see new parts of the country. My mom was SO excited! However, 2 days into their trip, my dad had to be rushed to the ER in Niagara Falls and within 6 hours, was in emergency surgery for a masive hernia he did not know he had. He spent 4 days in ICU, and had an extremely long trip home - but, by the grace of God, he is home & recovering well. He still has no energy and is having bouts of mild depression, but we are counting our blessings. So much for their vacation, though..... Mom says he still owes her that trip! :-)
Ryan made the basketball team at his middle school. Technically, he is listed as one of the managers, not an active player. But the coach told him that if he worked really hard at practice and improved a little, he could earn a spot to get some actual playing time. Ryan was thrilled with just making the team! However, now that he has been through 3 days of practice, he is starting to realize that he truly may not play any this season. Now, he is very frustrated. Ryan is used to being one of the key players on every team he has ever been on. This is a new experience for him - but it is not necessarily a bad one. I think it will be good for him to see that he can not always be "number one" and that things in life DO take effort and hard work. In his words, after the first day of try outs: "I realized that I'm not as good as I thought I was." I think we could ALL use a day like that every once in a while - even though it can be a blow to our ego..... It's a hard lesson to learn at 12 years old (and also at 39 years old).
Emily is still busy just trying to keep everyone in line. She is my sweet, helpful girl! She is always smiling! She has her moments - especially now that she is inching closer to the pre-teen times..... but she always wakes up in the morning with a smile on her face & is always ready to give me a hug and a kiss on my way out the door. The boys have already outgrown that - they are WAY too cool to be seen hugging on mom (unless, of course, when they want something)! Emily is going to be a GREAT mom - and she wants to be a teacher. That is ALL she ever wants to play when she has friends over. They line up her dolls & stuffed animals for their class and she has old workbooks and even a whiteboard in her room that she uses to teach. It's actually quite interesting to hear her explain the math & things she is learning in school. (and it's WAY more than what I learned at her age)
Forrest's team finished their Freshman football season with a record of 5-1: the best that school has had in several years! Maybe there is hope for the Hornets, yet! Now, a week from Monday, on November 9, he moves on to baseball tryouts! The World Series just started to END the professional season - and high school is having try outs to START theirs in January.... whatever! As long as he is busy with sports he is happy - and it helps to keep him out of trouble. He turns 15 on November 29 - the dreaded PERMIT! Of course, Forrest is MUCH happier about it than mom is......
I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Friday - we are off to the last football game of the season for varsity & then to the FAIR! This is the last weekend for it in our city & we have waited until now to go.... Hopefully it won't rain.
SMILE! God loves you!