First things first! That means it’s time to announce the winner of the $40 custom case design from Case App. The winner is Kim P. Enjoy, it Kim and have fun making your own personalized creation. Also, thank you for all who entered the giveaway. I really appreciate your support!
I’m doing something a little different today for Whatever is Lovely. I typically have not shared much about my family but today that is exactly what I want to do. I tend to have good intentions to share more of my life and family with you but my follow through seems to be lacking. So, guess what? I went a little family outing and tried to be intentional to take some pics and now I’m going to actually follow through and share a little piece of my family with you.
It goes like this: my daughter lives in Oregon, my parents live in Iowa and my hubster and I live in Texas. It can be difficult to coordinate lives and schedules and time zones to get us all together. But then it just all came together and it happened in the last week. My daughter flew to Texas and we drove to Branson, Missouri where my parents were vacationing for a few days with friends. And that’s how it’s done…bam we were all together for a few days.
Now I have to admit Branson would not be my vacation spot but when it works as a meeting place to gather together people I love, then I’m there. Interestingly enough an aunt and uncle just happened to be there for a few days too. How incredibly sweet is that?
We drove to Branson early on Thursday morning and arrived mid-day. That evening we met my parents at Silver Dollar City. Priceless expressions when we all finally found one another.
Friday we had all day to be together. We needed to get ourselves going so a trip to Starbucks was definitely a first stop.
This is my family. Dad, Mom, Hubster and Daughter.
Fave picture of my dad and me. You might be surprised if I told you he is 86 years old. Seriously! I’m telling you the truth.
After some caffeine we were off to a little shopping area {The Landing} where my aunt and uncle were going to be dropped off by their tour bus. We just hung walked around and browsed and shopped until they arrived.
And took a few selfies. Everyone needs a little family selfie, don’t they?
This picture just makes me smile. I love my dad’s expression!
We finally found my aunt and uncle and their friends. Now we needed some food but I had to get a few pics. This is my mom and her brother. He looks exactly like my grandpa. It almost takes my breath away when I see him.
Lunch with the crew and some classmates of my aunt and uncle. My aunt is in the green.
Who can go to Branson and not see a show? Well, not us! We saw the Baldknobbers on Friday evening.
The best part was just being together. Talking, laughing and of course drinking coffee. Mid-Westerners drink lots of coffee.
One thing my daughter remembers from her childhood is a particular noise {i.e. howl} that my dad would always make for no particular reason. Well, we had to get it on video. Crazy and yet a precious memory for us. The Family Shenanigans Howl…enjoy!
Another special memory of my daughter is a song my mom would sing. They performed this little duet and another cherished memory.
Besides drinking coffee, eating, browsing and shopping, I met this lady who was from Forest City, Arkansas. I grew up in Forest City, Iowa. Interesting isn’t it?
That’s my family! These are the people who have the same blood running through their veins as me. Our genes and family history began in the same place. Norway. But I have another family. These people are from other places but they are my family in that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. These are my dear friends.
Let me sing their praises and express my deep love and gratitude to them. For the past 13 weeks I have working through an intense program called STEPS. It jumps right in the middle of your life and you come face to face with yourself and the ugly. On Wednesday evening there was a celebration service. I invited these friends and they showed up. Not only did they show up but they prayed over me. They have always loved me well.
First Row ~ Alicia is my adventurous friend. She has traveled the globe and we traveled to Romania more than once on mission trips. Lauren {and her new hubby Joel} is a kindred spirit who knows the deep parts of my heart and loves me anyway. Adorah was my Art Teacher when I was an Elementary Principal and we became fast friends. We have walked through much of life together and some very hard times.
Second Row ~ Renit {and her new hubby Ryan} lived with us for a couple of years. We love her like a daughter. Beth and I taught 4th grade together and she has been a mentor and champion for me. My oldest friend {year wise} in Texas is Dana and a lover of people and curator of beauty to all things. She is one of the wisest people I have ever known. She is a speaker and author too!
I have to say that I have so many to be grateful for in this life. This post is full of people I love and those who love me. I am blessed with sweet family and sweet family. I am ever so grateful. I have much to rejoice about this Thanksgiving. What about you? What beautiful people do you have to be thankful for and rejoice about this Thanksgiving? Be grateful. Be thankful. Be joyful because if you’re like me you have much to rejoice over.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!
If you would like to enter the Nordstrom gift card giveaway there is still time.
Happy Monday! A few of my blogger friends and I wanted to kick start your week by joining together to bring you a giveaway - a $150 Nordstrom gift card! Are you the one lucky reader? Simply enter via the widget below!
Prize: $150 Nordstrom gift card
Hosts:
Sequins & Denim • Fashionably Employed • Shopping My Closet
Co-hosts:
The Red Closet Diary
Peaches In A Pod • The Kissing Booth Blog • A Lovely Little Wardrobe • heid’nspeak • Style-Blueprint
Giveaway open: Monday, November 16 at 12AM PST through Monday, November 23 at 11:59PM PST
Are you a fellow blogger who’d be interested in hosting similar giveaways to help grow your blog? Then, click here to find out how you can join!
And if you’re interested in the Winter Style Challenge, it opens today.
Where you’ll find me linking up.
