Happy Thanksgiving...

Happy Thanksgiving to family and friends..... We made a whole turkey today , first time.... normally i make a turkey breast. We shared Thanksgiving with special friends (Brenda Yadi and izzy, Maritza and Victor ,Satish, Prajakti and Ira) . I started to prepare for dinner after my 7:00 am spin class. After 2 hours of preparing and getting half of every thing done , i took the girls to the movies to see "A Christmas Carol" . We enjoyed the movie and it has always been one of my favorite Christmas stories. I thought Thanksgiving day was a perfect day to see that movie because it conveys the story of being grateful for the people in your lives and showing it.. and having compassion for others....specially those less fortunate than yourself....After the movies i finished the dinner of mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans casserole , pasta shells & zucchini, jello mold. Brenda brought the delicious veggie stuffed mushrooms, pumpkin soup and bread with toppings (thanks Brenda)..and all the other traditionals like olives, cranberries etc.....For dessert we had pumpkin pie with whip cream, apple pie, cheese cake (thanks Prajakti) and chocolate brownie cookies and everything turned out pretty good.(thank you Maritza for helping clean up:o) The only disaster was i burnt the rolls and i dropped my new iphone in the fish bowl and it is now history...( my phone, not the fish, he is fine:o).

Today...... not only today, but each and everyday of our lives we need to take time to give thanks for all the tremendous blessings we enjoy and for family, friends and for all the people in our lives that cross our paths for one reason or another... We need to give thanks even in the midst of difficult circumstances and trials we may face. I am thankful for all i have been blessed with... i am thankful for being given the blessing of being a parent.. it has taught me a love of being a mommy , new joys every day( even days when the girls fight all day long), hope, compassion and courage in a way that can not be taught...

Today lets pray for those who are less fortunate than oursleves and pray the we are guided to help those in need .. Pray and keep in your hearts those who are hidden away in orphanages and those who live on the streets , in shleters and in poor circumstances. There was a lot of food on our table today and a part of me felt guilty of that, because there are so many people and children in this world that go hungry everyday and we had more food than we could eat...take time to reflect on the blessings of your life. Thank God for each and everyone of them....

Before Thanksgiving Thoughts...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.... It turns what we have .. into enough, and more. It turns denial ... into acceptance, chaos.. to order, confusion.. to clarity. It can turn a meal.. into a feast, a house... into a home, a stranger.. into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today , and creates a vision for tomorrow.... ~Melody Beattie

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

Justin R. Budwey....

we love you Justin and will miss you very much....

While in Buffalo a very special person in our lives past away unexpected....Justin was Franks Godson and Justin's father is Neyvada's Godfather..We are very deeply saddened...

Justin always had a smile when he entered a room . He was able to make anyone laugh and smile with his fun loving personality and humor. He was so helpful ,considerate had compassion for others and was so super sweet....Justin impacted so many lives.. Justin was a manager at one of the family grocery stores that had just opened. He loved to play poker in his free time. Justin loved his parents , sisters , girlfriend, family and friends...We love you Justin very much...and will miss you very much....

Please pray with me for his family who will never quite be the same without him ...please pray for all of them as they face one of the hardest things in life...... I pray that God helps us to never take a moment of our lives for ganted... no one is promised tomorrow , that every second of life we are given is precious...

"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength"2 Timothy 4:17

Buffalo....

Last week we were in Buffalo , so the girls could visit their grandparents before the the snow starts to fall. My friend Boyd went with us on this trip so he could finally get to see Niagara Falls. My dad was Boyds tour guide for the day and he was truly amazed of everything he saw and experienced.

The girls enjoyed their time with Ga and Papa. We were all busy during the day... Gabi, Bella , Teya , Neyvada and me went roller skating...was afraid to because of my used to be broken ankle,but tried for a while , enjoyed the hip/hop music that was playing to skate to and

i did great until i fell and hurt my knee , then that was enough of skating for me:) We went to play at the park, shopping , they played in the colorful leaves left on the ground.

We went to visit aunt Marilyn, uncle John, Cousin Jackly and Addison..

The trip went well and every one had fun... but our trip was extended 5 days because of a tragedy in the family....will post next...

At night i was able to go out with my awesome Buffalo friends Sue , Jackie and Beth. Boyd had a great time having a few drinks and laughs with my friends. (Thanks Taylor for baby sitting!)

Fair Fun...

A few weeks ago at the fair......My friend Brenda and her daughter Izzy, Betsy , Gabi , Teya , Neyvada, Bella and me:o).. We had a great time..

Love Your Prayer Amy....

Dear Lord, you never stop amazing me at your goodness. Just when I think I have it all figured out I feel your hand upon me and I am once again blown away by your goodness. Father, I am so guilty of spending too much time planning my own life, instead of just sitting back and trusting that you have had the best in mind for me all along. Nothing gives me greater joy other than knowing You have planned every moment of my life before I was even born. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, but without a doubt I know that when YOU are at the center than everything will fall into place just as you had planned. Lord, protect our hearts, and help us to always remember this is about you......Praise the Lord, O my soul;...all my in most being , praise his holy name.....Psalm 103 ( both you and Todd are amazing !)