Once again it's been almost 3 weeks since I last updated. There's been a lot going on in the Tenney household, but not much to blog about. Rather than bore you with our daily routines, I thought I'd just give little updates on how everyone is doing here:
Morgan--is doing great. She finished up soccer on November 1st and was named the team's MVP! Really I think it should have been Most IMPROVED player, but Coach Dana called her the MVP instead. She continues to do well in school, although lately we have been having major problems with her during nap. She just can't stay quiet! So we have had to enact a new system of discipline for her if she is not quiet during nap. It has been effective so far, thankfully. We also went to visit St. Frances de Sales Central Catholic School, where we hope to send Morgan next fall (gulp....my baby is going to school next fall!). She was timid at first, but by the end of the tour she was talking and running around. It seems like a really great school and we hope that things fall into place so we can take her there. She is really looking forward to next week when we will be at Nannie and Big Pop's for the whole week.
Patrick--has finally been spending more time in the office and less time on the road. It's the start of his slow season at work, which he needs to recharge his batteries and gear up for next year. This week he has been busy helping to prepare for his company's annual Thanksgiving Dinner for all of their mental health clients. He really gets into the day, and enjoys it so much. Today he is going to interview for a third job, grant writing for the city of Star City, WV. It would be a 20 hour a week job and his current boss (and mayor of Star City!) will allow him to flex his time with the Council for Suicide Prevention in order to fulfill duties for the city. We are praying that he will get the job. The extra income would greatly help us reduce our debt and prepare to go house hunting. Speaking of hunting...Patrick may do a little of that next week while we are at his parents' house.
As for me---It has been a very emotional month for me. As some of you already know, the beginning of the month brought news that completely changed my world. As a result, I have had to try very hard to not slip into a deep depression. It's been a big challenge. It is still very hard for me to drag myself out of bed most mornings. I have prayed daily for the Lord to help soften my heart, find forgiveness, and heal my shattered heart. So far He has been faithful in helping me find forgiveness and soften my heart. Now I am working on rebuilding and forging new paths. It's been a very unpleasant month in that regard. But on an up note, I have started back to Curves, and according to Weight Watchers have lost about 7 pounds. So it's a start. 60 more to go, but 1/2 a pound down is less than before, so I am trying to look at the small strokes to make a bigger picture. This week I have frantically been trying to clean my house and find Christmas presents to wrap so that all the Tenney gifts can go to the in-laws' house next week. I LOVE Christmas, I LOVE wrapping presents, and I love thinking about the people I bought gifts for as I wrap their presents. For someone who loves to give gifts, this is the best time of year. I am greatly looking forward to a vacation from the craziness of work next week. I have been traveling so much that I am exhausted and need time to recharge myself.
So that's the Tenney family update for this week. I'll be in "media wasteland" next week with no internet or cell phone reception, so I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving.
I am thankfull for all of those who continue to support me and my family. I stand in awe of the friends I have made that I have never met, who continue to offer support and love. I am grateful to my friends who remain close, even though we are not physically close. We are thankful for another year together as a family, relatively healthy and happy. I am thankful that our families have been safe throughout the year and we have made it almost to the end of 2010 without losing anyone.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Helping take the tree out of the box
Writing our directions for decorating....she had a PLAN and we were required to stick with it! Remind you of anyone?
Plugging in the lights and leveling the tree
Something is conspicuously wrong with this tree...
Ahhhh, that's better (25 minutes later)
This child LOVES to decorate the Christmas tree! (and I love how you can see the reflection of the tree in our bay window behind her)
Morgan's ornament arrangement. Don't tell her, but I spread them out over the tree after she went to sleep! :)
The bird, right out of it's peanut oil jacuzzi
An abosolutely perfect, homemade cheesecake, compliments of Josh and Anna. This was the best cheesecake I have ever eaten. And that's saying a lot!
Our host, Phill, carves the bird.
The group of adults (minus Patrick, who is taking the picture)
