Happy Thanksgiving...

and may the beginning of the winter holiday season be a blessed one.  If you are going out Black Friday shopping, be kind and patient with each other.  Remember, we just counted our blessings and things we are thankful for, keep that spirit in your heart as you shop for those you love.

Have a wonderful day with friends and family eating all the wonderful food our earth provides.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

xo

Cymbals and Drum

The cutest concert band members ever.  Accident, Maryland

I am packed and ready for my mini-vacation with my oldest daughter.

We are headed to Cape May for two nights and three days

to spend quality mother-daughter time with each other.

Ever since we adopted the twins, my husband and I wanted to make sure

our older children felt that we still had special time for each of them

and a tradition began.

Each year my husband and I take one of our older children

away by themselves and then switch the kids the following year.

Last time I took my oldest son away to Nemacolin Woodlands for an

adventure vacation, so this year is my daughter's turn to go with me.

Later in the month my husband will take my oldest son for his get-away.

When the twins turn 10 we will start our vacation tradition with them as well.

I think it is so important to spend one on one time with your kids,

so we make this a priority each year.

After all that has happened this summer, it will be a welcome

distraction to have all my attention focused on her.

I am thankful tonight that I have this opportunity with my daughter.

Please pray for safe passage for us tomorrow...

not sure if where we are staying has wifi, so if not, 

I will be offline for a few days.

Salute

This image was taken along the parade route of Accident, Maryland's 

Fourth of July Homecoming Parade on July 4th, 2014.

As this gentleman was riding by in the back of the pick-up truck,

he clung to the flag and was waving to everyone.

When he saw me and my camera, 

he looked straight at me and saluted.

*chills*

Today I am thankful to try and get back into the work groove

(I have several real estate shoots this week)

and try to get the kids back on some sort of schedule.

I am a regimented person, so being on a schedule again 

after the craziness that June delivered me

is a blessing.

After work today, perhaps I will play with the kids with water cannons.

It sure is hot enough for it!

xo

Independence Day

Seen flying proudly in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Very thankful today for the freedoms I enjoy as an American.

Even though I know our country is not perfect and

our leaders are far from perfect,

I still believe the United States of America is the best country.

I spent the day celebrating at a very small town Independence Day parade.

It was so quaint and welcoming...and the kids loved it.

I took some pictures while I was there and am looking forward

to editing them over the next week or so.

Today is the last day of vacation and we will be heading back home tomorrow.

At first I wasn't sure I wanted to go on this vacation since it was supposed

to be with my mother, my father, and my brother's family,

but I am glad we came anyway despite my father's death.

I have enjoyed the quiet time in this serene, slow paced setting.

I feel connected to my father here, as I mentioned earlier,

so each day has been sad, but filled with memories of the time 

I once spent with my father here.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

xo