Days of Whine and Roses

I find myself feeling waves of emotion that come and go right now...generally brought on by seeing or talking to friends and thinking of leaving them. Last night my good buddy Mark Whaley threw a going away party for me. It was really fun. These guys mean a lot to me. I loved having a night of laughter!

Jeff Lovett, Grant Batson, Mark Whaley, Stephen Chisolm, me, Gary Musick

I stopped by to see my sweet cousin who is the manager of the Starbucks near our house...we lovingly refer to it as either St. Arbucks or Star$$. Ang drew a little mural on my coffee cup in protest of us moving...

But meanwhile, work still has to get done. I am producing my last show at TPAC (Tennessee Performing Arts Center) this weekend. It's the Legacy Dance Show. Today was load-in and rehearsal.  Here are some pics of the set going up.

One last thing today...our friend, Amy Rieder Owen, sent me a picture of Sam from graduation last Friday. I LOVE this picture. Here's why...each child had to write their definition of love and read it. Sam's was, "Love is my daddy playing with me." In this picture he had just read it out loud and was looking at me. I was sitting on the front row of the balcony filming it. It was such a sweet moment. I love that Amy captured it! Thank you, Amy!

It's going to be a busy but fun weekend. I am excited about the coming weeks and all the adventures that we will have! God is giving us such a sense of anticipation about Abilene. So many amazing experiences to be had! But, first, we must figuratively sing "Friends Are Friends Forever" as we pack up everything and say our goodbyes. These are sweet tears we're crying...and tears of great gratitude. But they're still tears! :)  So, thank you for continuing to pray for these days of transition for the Thomas family. Have a great weekend, blog family!

Sam's Christmas Program at Otter Creek Kindergarten

I'm finally trying to catch up on some blog entries here....Sam had his Christmas program last week. It was so sweet!

"You better watch out, you better not cry...."

"Up on the housetop...click, click, click..."

"Follow the star to Bethlehemmmmmm...."

My mom and the girls (Sam's term for them is "my girls") all loved the program!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...time for thankfulness and embarking on a season of giving. I have so much to be thankful for this year.

Tuesday we went to Sam's Thanksgiving program at the Otter Creek School. His Kindergarten class did the program and songs that the OC Kindergarten has been doing for years. It is a special day for all those affiliated with that school. Sam rocked it as an Indian brave!

Otter Creek Kindergarten

Sam is on the back row in the middle

Love this..."It's a FREE 'lay-und' and beautiful 'lay-und..."

Sam with Mommy and me

Ms. Melissa (Sam's teacher) complete with her Native American braids

Wednesday night we embarked on our family tradition with the Williamsons since the early 90's. Byron and Beth are like another set of parents for Sheryl and me and have been for many years. We love them so much!

Byron and Beth Williamson with Sheryl and me

Sarah and Jack Williamson

this is "Sister". (aka: Shelly Williamson Church)

All the "siblings" L-R: Sheryl, Ryan Williamson, me, Sarah Williamson, Shelly Williamson Church and Adrian Church. We love all of them!

On Thanksgiving Day we went to the Penna's (Kiki's house) They have an awesome trail out back where we rode scooters all day long. You can really get to going very fast!

my kids with Canaan Gonzalez and Brayton Boyd (cousins)

Sam and I had a blast on his scooter!

We caught the whole Thomas clan scooting down the hill...each one comes by to say hello

Brayton Boyd, Nikki Turner and me (sweet cousins)

Sheryl and I pose with Kiki and Kevin...we can never figure out what they are...although cousins, they feel much more like brother and sister. They hosted our family celebration this year.

Kiki and Kevin came up with a one word description to describe each of the guests...it was very thoughtful and encouraging.

Kevin (my kids call him "Uncle Biggie") slaves in the kitchen

post dinner laughs

Cousins! Kevin and Kiki Penna, Sheryl and me, Chris and Gail Gonzalez, and Matt and Julie Boyd

Cousins! Ella, Nikki Turner, Sam, Joel Boyd, Brayton Boyd, Lexi Boyd, Canaan Gonzalez, Sierra Gonzalez, Maddie and Gracie Penna (missing Liam Penna who was napping!)

My mom, and Sheryl's parents--Ernestine and Bob Rathbun

Bob and Ernestine

Those crazy Boyds

Gracie and Liam posed in their new Christmas pj's

For some DUMB reason we decided to brave the crowds for the 10pm "door buster" sale at Toys R Us. HORRIBLE idea! We waited outside for over an hour in the freezing rain and then once we got in, it was a mad house. I waited in the check out line for about an hour.. No more...next year, I am totally back to Black Monday Internet shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We love you all!