Happy Birthday, Addi!

There are just no words for how special Addi is to me. Like all the grandchildren, she is amazingly beautiful, smart, precious, and a gift from God. This has been an incredibly hard year for her, and she has really been a trooper. We are thankful for all the good days, and prayerful that the good days are going to be the norm for this 8th year of her life! The day Addi was born was a mixed bag...to think about how close we came to losing both Kim and Addi still makes me shiver, but to remember that beautiful little baby when she was placed in my arms, made me know that being a grandparent was going to be an awesome path of life. Happy birthday, angel...Granna loves you beyond words!

RERUN OF A RERUN

BLOG RRERUN OF A RERUN- HOPE YOU ENJOY- AGAIN
Thanksgiving – Dixie Style
I received the following from my sister. It was written by my actress niece, Leslie. Leslie now resides in California- which to tell you truthfully, we all find a bit unusual and exotic for our never venture far from their roots family. My sister and I often comment on how our mother would find great joy and delight in the fact that her couch now resides in Pasadena. Anyway, with the holidays not too far away, please enjoy-
Thanksgiving – Dixie StyleWhen I was asked to write a blog about my favorite Thanksgiving memory, I was flooded with so many, I had a hard time choosing what to write about. When I was younger, Thanksgiving was a time to hang out with my family and eat great food. I really didn’t think much about the holiday beyond that. I left my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama five years ago to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles, and Thanksgiving certainly carries a lot more weight for me now than it did then. No matter what, I go home for Thanksgiving every year. Now, instead of it being about hanging out with my family, it is about reconnecting with my family. While I used to enjoy eating great food, I now savor aromas and tastes I can only get when I make that 2,000 mile trek home. So many things I used to take for granted about that time of year in the South I don’t anymore: hearing the crunch of leaves underneath my feet, feeling the bristle of wind whip my hair around, watching those long red sunsets through the crisp air. Those are just the moments by myself. After spending the better part of the year alone in my little Los Angelian apartment, it is great to be surrounded by my family: loud, boisterous, welcoming, loving, and always ready to have a good time. In addition to eating all the great food (I’ll get to that in a minute), we spend the evening playing Balderdash and other competitive games like it’s the Olympics, draw names for who we will buy gifts for at Christmas and catch up on what’s going on in everyone’s life. The food, ah, the food. Like any Southern family, we have enough food to feed a small nation. It all tastes good, and it is all bad for you. My very favorite dish is my aunt’s peanut butter pie. When I tell people this, they say, “Oh yeah, I’ve had peanut butter pie” to which I quickly reply, “Oh no you haven’t!” How do I know this? I HAVEN’T SEEN THEM AT ANY OF MY THANKSGIVINGS! My aunt makes the best peanut butter pie ever. I’ve always associated peanut butter pie with Thanksgiving, and now that I travel cross-country to eat it, she makes two for good measure. It may sound silly, but knowing I will get that peanut butter pie the fourth Thursday of every November brings warmth and security to my life. I may not know how successful my acting career will be, but hey, on Thanksgiving I get peanut butter pie. I may be separated from my family for the vast majority of the year, but end of November, I get peanut butter pie. If nobody appreciates my talents and sacrifices, I STILL get peanut butter pie. I have friends who moved to LA from other parts of the country like myself, and many of them talk about how they can’t go home because of the cost of air fare, time off of work, blah, blah, blah. I simply reply, “Well, I have a date in Alabama with a peanut butter pie.” I can’t remember who it was who said the simple things in life bring us the greatest pleasure, but I couldn’t agree more. As you can see, the pie isn’t difficult to make, but I think it is the love instead of the ingredients that make it so great!From my Aunt Susan:Ingredients:8 ounces Cream Cheese1 cup Powdered Sugar1/2 cup creamy peanut butter16 ounces Cool Whip1 pre-made graham cracker pie crustDirections:In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and cool whip until well blended. Pour into the pre-made pie crust. Refrigerate. For a more peanut butter taste, use 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter.
Leslie McGuirk
Pasadena, CA

Ahhh...the holidays are upon us and I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends (and I am certain there will be some food involved, as well!). I am looking forward to watching The Polar Express, as soon as it is cool enough to put some logs in the fireplace. I am looking forward to buying the turkeys and all the trimmings, and I like Thanksgiving food shopping when everyone else is busy filling their buggy with traditional foods. Sometimes I like to look at what other people are buying and try to decide what they are going to cook.

I am happy that at the moment (and we live in the "moment" it seems!) that my sweet Addi does not have a headache. Her tummy is still bothering her and she will see the gastro doctor on Wednesday, so perhaps he will have some suggestions. This week she will also see her pediatrician and the psychologist from the pain center. This morning she was in good humor and we laughed and it was so wonderful. Since January I have asked for prayers for Addi and so many have prayed for her and we truly appreciate the concern. She is a special girl.

We are excited that Levi, Hannah, Lila, and Jaiden are all healthy and happy and along with Addi, will make the holidays special. We are also excited that we have a new grandbaby on the way and we are eager to welcome him or her into the mix. Grandchildren are so wonderful!

Enjoy the week and enjoy a few random photos, as well!