Happy Thanksgiving

I got out of bed this morning and had a few minutes with my coffee and thoughts before Payton got up. He's my early riser. I was able to reflect on how much I have to be thankful for. I'm so thankful for my husband. That he is a Christian and he loves me. I'm thankful for my children, my family and friends. I'm thankful for my job. I'm thankful that I was able to get up this morning and start planning for my family to come. This has been a tough year financially for alot of people, myself included, and when I start having my pity party I can always find someone having a harder time than myself. This Thanksgiving, I pray that everyone stops and give thanks for all that you have and for all the things to come that God will Bless you for today and in the coming year.

Syd played tonight in Charlotte and boy oh boy was it ever cold. Mike and I enjoyed our trip together. There just doesn't seem to be any time to ourselves anymore and it was soooo nice to just spend time together. This was the 2nd game in the playoffs and Syd's team lost 34-13. It really wasn't that bad of a game. At half time the score was 14-13 but in the 3rd quarter the defense ended up being on the field for so long that they just got wore out and couldn't hold on. The boys played really good football and should be proud of their season.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. Layne and Syd are coming in the morning and will be spending the weekend here. I miss them alot. Its sad for your children to grow up so remember that while they are young. I so hate for Payton to get older. He's my baby but he too will be grown before a know it.

We are planning on going to Hollywild tomorrow night. Its the first night being open for the Christmas season. We go there every year but this year will be even more fun with Layne with us. Then on Sunday we are going to Waynesville to have Thanksgiving Dinner with my family and to spend some time with my mother at the Nursing Home. We have a really full weekend planned but it should be fun.

Exciting News

I'm so excited and pleased to tell you that Layne and Christina are getting married. YEAH!!! He proposed last night and called me around 11:30pm to let us know. The date will be sometime in October which I think is a great month for a wedding. I'm very excited to be gaining a daughter-inlaw and I think Christina will be a beautiful Bride and Layne makes the most handsome Groom. I just had to post a couple of pictures of the happy couple.

Update on Mike

Just to give a update on Mike's MRI and whats going on with his back. Well right now, the back feels better since he's had the meds to shrink the swelling but it is only a matter of time and it will be back to the way it was. His MRI showed a very herniated disc and the surgeon has given him a couple of options which both involve surgery. So we have discussed it and he has decided that he will try to wait until right after Christmas to have the surgery. It will take longer for him to recover from this surgery than the last one and the doctor says he will need to be flat of his back much more this time for him to heal. I really hate for Mike to have to go through this again. Please pray that his back holds out until after Christmas and pray that the surgery goes well and Mike can heal without any complications.

End of Hurricane Season

Payton's team, the Hurricanes, lost Thursday night so our football season is over. At least for Youth League football. Syd's High School team is going to the playoffs and will play in Charlotte next Friday night. Syd is home this weekend and we went to the Greenville High game and he got to see his friends. He seemed really excited to be back to see Sirrine Stadium. I have to admit after visiting other stadiums, there is just something about that place and I can't imagine as a athlete what it would feel like to play there. Mike played there when he played football for J.L Mann and he has said that it was just a awesome feeling playing at Sirrine. Syd has played there as a freshman but I really want him to experience it as a Junior and Senior.

We also took a friend with us to the game. A boy that was in my class the first year I was at Mitchell Road Elementary has kept in touch with me and calls occasionally. His name is Orlandous and he called right before the game and when he found out we were going to the game he wanted to go so I ask his mother and she let him. We really enjoyed having him with us.

Today I'm playing Taxi and errand runner so I guess I better get going. Is there ever time for myself?????

Election Day

Today was Election Day and Mike and I got to our precinct around 10:20. The line was long but we got lucky. After standing there for about 5 minutes, one of the volunteers came and said for everyone with last names starting with L-Z to follow her. We did, and ended up passing up about 100 people. The line from there went by fast and we walked out after about 35 minutes. I hope everyone got out and did your part today and VOTED!

Oh BTW, Payton's team the Hurricanes, won last night. Go figure. So we will play again Thursday night. GO HURRICANES!!!

HALLOWEEN

It's been a few days and I wanted to get these pictures posted before now but I just haven't found the time. We had a great Halloween. Syd had a ballgame Friday night so that cut our Trick or Treating short but Payton still had a good time. We went to a Festival the community was having here in Conestee which had Trunk or Treating and face painting, Food and the Big Jump Houses. Then we went to one of the area churches for some more Trunk or Treat. Payton got a huge bag full of candy. We then left and went to Asheville to watch Erwin High School vs. Roberson High School. Erwin won so now they will continue to the beginning of the playoffs. We brought Syd back home with us and its always so good having him back home. Payton and Syd argue alot but I guess most brothers do. It's just like nothing has changed when Syd is here....the boys continue right where they left off and it is mostly over video games. Life without video games.....Does anyone remember those days? Aaaaahh.....those were some good times.

Payton also has a playoff game Monday night. If the Hurricanes win then we will continue to play but if they lose then our season has come to a end. To be honest, I am ready. Now a little info on Mike's back. He was unable to have his MRI on Thursday because someone made a error in the scheduling. They needed to have scheduled a Contrast MRI which includes having the dye but they didn't so he shows up and they inform him the doctor is not there which he needs to be if they are doing this type of MRI so they reschedule him for Wednesday morning. I really don't know how long it will take before we hear what this shows but he is really having a horrible time with his back. In the past, he could rest and take the meds and he would recover pretty well...at least to the point to be fairly functionable. This time has been different though. He's not recovering and is still struggling daily. I pray that from this week forward things can start moving pretty fast so we can get him well. Whatever we must do whether it's surgery, therapy or something else....we are ready to get this over with.

Kaylea's pumpkin

Kaylea's Pumpkin

My niece Kaylea and her pumpkin

we carved.

Payton and Abby

Miss Abigail

looking

witchy

Payton "Leatherhead"

Scary Payton