Day 25 - Thankful for my health

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. ~ Psalm 28:7, NLT


I am thankful for good health and being able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends.

We haven’t had a normal Thanksgiving the last 3 years.

2009 I was in Germany and everyone else was hovering around the hospital in Norman in between meals.

In 2008 Alan and I were both very sick with some type of flu and we ate mashed potatoes for our meal!

In 2007, Alan was admitted to the hospital the night before Thanksgiving very ill from some type of virus and then the rest of us (including me) started dropping like flies shortly there after with the same thing in varying degrees of severity). I don't think I ate anything that year!


This year after a Thanksgiving dinner on Post we are headed to Hieldelburg, Germany to get on a bus headed for London! We will be in London Fri-Sat and head home on Sunday.

And who knows hopefully next year we will be back in Oklahoma healthy and ready for a Thanksgiving meal!

Day 21 - thankful for my brothers

I have 3 brothers! They are all so special. It is hard to put to words just how much they mean to me.

Yes I love my brothers dearly and am thankful for the relationships I have with them.

My older brother, Pat has always looked after me and I up to him.

We are 2 years apart and I think we have a special bond being the older set of kids in a family of 4 siblings. As a small child I remember us sharing treats. I would often gulp mine down so fast and he would feel sorry for me and share his with me. I would say, "Pat I’ll share that with you" and he would graciously share even though we had the same amount to begin with. We got to share special times with grandparents and aunts/uncles that were young and full of life because early on we were the only grandchildren on one side of the family and the among the youngest on the other side. He looked after me through our school years; I was often a tag along and sometimes unwanted and often annoying but he always looked out for me. He actually introduced me to the boy that would one day be my husband! Together we paved the way for our younger set of brothers. Today I look up to him and value his judgement and friendship even though right now we are thousands of miles away from each other.

Six years after I was born along came Phil.

I was in kindergarten when he was born. I was very much into baby dolls and to have real live baby of my very own (well not really my own but I thought he was) was unbelievable. But I was a little too young to really get to hold and care for him without assistance from an adult. He was so sweet and I loved him dearly. He was into everything and quickly gained the nick-name Phil the Pill (lovingly of course). As he grew older he started to take things apart. He loved old cameras, gadgets and anything mechanical. He would take these apart and put them back together often “fixing” what might have been wrong. It was like working a puzzle to him. And to this day he continues to like to take things apart and put them back together making them better.

Then along came Perry, I was 8 when he was born.

By now I was a pro at being a big sister and in caring for babies! And here was a new one to love and cuddle. Mom and Dad put his baby bed in my room but this didn’t last very long as I would get him out of the crib to play with him, disrupting naps and quite time for everyone. Perry has always had a fondness for animals and as a small child we had a poodle that he just loved. That poodle would sleep in my bedroom at night but during the day it was Perry that he would hang out with. We shared many hours rocking and as he got older playing dress up (he probably didn’t enjoy this as much as I did).

By the time Pat was starting to work, I was “employed" at home. Well sort of I was helping out by babysitting my younger brothers 1/2 days during the sumer. I loved being their big sister and tried to fill in when Mother was away or busy. It seems hard to believe that Phil was 12 and Perry was only 10 when I moved away to college and I haven’t really live under the same roof since but even so there is a bond between me and the younger two brothers as I cared for them at such a young age. I wont go as far to say that I was a 2nd mother to them but I surely was a care giver and I loved it!

All 3 of my brother have been good Uncles to my children.



They were there for family birthdays and holidays setting the bar high as uncle role models. They were active parts of my young children's lives, they would play games with them and spend special time with them . For instance, Pat had them over for sleepovers, Phil tweaked their sound systems, Perry even took care of them in our home while Alan and I worked some night shifts. Now as adult children they look up to their Uncles and know they can call on them for help if need be and have.

Our lives have lead us all down different paths. We all have very different careers that keep us busy and going in different directions. But we manage to remain close and love doing some of the same things...

I loved having my brothers over for family time and have missed them terribly while being in Germany. But we manage to stay in touch emailing, chatting and skypeing.

This is one of the few pictures I have with me here in Germany of all 4 of us together! WE are with our Aunt Wanda Sue. Yes, I love having brothers and missed them so much but am thankful for the relationships we have forged over the years and grateful that as adults we are all not just siblings, we are FRIENDS!!

Day 18 - Thankful for My In Laws

I have such great in-laws. They took me into their family and love me as one of their own.

A few months before our marriage Dad Mitchell took me around looking for houses in the Midwest City area. Alan was working so he went with me to make sure I didn’t get lost. It was just the two of us that day and he was so sweet. He told me.... this part of town might not be so safe...this school is a good one... this one is closer to church and grocery shopping. I had my very own tour guide of the Mid-Del area and it was interesting to hear the stories behind the different neighborhoods we toured. It was during this drive around town that he suggested I should take the OPM test for a possible job on base (I now have 26+ years of civil service under my belt because of this sage advice). Dad M was the best at comforting a baby with colic. Our youngest son had what I thought was a bad case of colic and I was at my wits end, so I took both boys over to Mom and Dad M’s house. Dad took the baby and a warm - hot water bottle and held him and rocked him and soothed him. And gave me a much needed break! Years later we spent many a summer weekend at the lake and Dad was always so patient with the boys as they learned to water ski or build a fire. He helped Alan work on cars when we needed to watch our budget, offered to hang the mini blinds in our new house because he wanted to help out, he was always eager to go watch our boys play sports and so very patient with them when they were rough housing around in their back yard.

Mom Mitchell is really special too. She has shared treasured family recipes with me, taught me to cook many of Alan’s favorites. She always tries to get just the perfect gift for special occasions and holidays for our children. She made special quilts for both our boys. She set a good Christian example in their early years and she took them to church on Wednesday evening activities (I was working Swing Shift and Alan was working and going to school). She too was always interested in the boys activities and with schedule in hand would be at every game possible from grade school through high school for two boys that between them played football, basketball and baseball... that is a whole lot of sporting events!! She shared family pictures with me and helped me with many a project over the years. She has stepped in and helped out when I was sick helping to care for my family. Most of all she has treated me like a daughter even though she already had 3 of her own.

Over the years we have moved in with Mom and Dad M a couple of times. The first time was just before moving into married student housing. Our place sold and we couldn’t move in to housing until the beginning of the semester. The 4 of us moved into Alan’s childhood bedroom for 2 months and shared a bathroom with 2 sisters still at home. Mom did everything possible to help make this an easy time for us. Then many years later our house sold before we had found a replacement so once again we moved in to the home on Glenvalley. Our boys were older and Mom and Dad were empty nesters by this time so it was nice for the boys to have that one on one attention/time with their grandparents. Then in the spring of 2009 we moved in with them again.... this time I was at my wits end with the house we were living in and once again we were welcomed with open arms. Looking back all 4 of the Mitchell siblings have moved their families back into the Mitchell home for short periods of time. I think Mom might enjoy some of her privacy back but I know she also gets sad when it comes time for each of us to move on...kind of like going through the empty nest feeling all over again.

This is just a glimpse into some of the reasons I treasure my in-laws. I am so blessed to have them and am thankful for their love, kindness, assistance over the years and for their friendship!

Day 17 - I am Thankful for a Wonderful Father

I am so thankful for the time I had with him, he was the one I called when things needed fixed, I was Daddy’s little girl and proud to be. I needed him and he needed me. I am grateful that I carry on some of my fathers best qualities. This man was never late, he was very organized, he loved wood working and he love his family. Yes I miss my Dad. But I go on...getting there on time, being organized, loving wooden boxes, toys and trinkets and loving my family...

I miss my Dad! Today is his birthday and he is celebrating with family in heaven. He was always willing to help out last minute...he was great last minute stand in for Santa at my office Christmas party! He loved doing things with me and my granddaughter. And he was a very special Grandfather...photos below show him with both of my sons on their wedding day. For their 50th wedding anniversary they didn’t want a party they wanted to spend time with family...so we all joined them for a weekend in Arkansas to celebrate. Three of the things he loved, family time, the lake and grandchildren all rolled into one afternoon (the picture of him with the kids in his lap was taken at my brother Phil’s place at Lake Carl Blackwell). He fathered 3 sons and 1 daughter. He loved to play games and even taught his great granddaughter to play Dominos. He loved my Mother dearly...right down to her green shoes! He used to tease her about all the shoes she has. He loved to travel but it didn’t have to be any where fancy. For instance he took us to Magazine Mountain and I remember this favorite spot; a natural bridge crossing the creek up on Magazine Mountain near where his mother was born (I got a picture of them together walking across the rocks). You could count on Gramps to be there....graduations, birthdays and weddings you name it he was there. He loved Christmas time, each year he would video us after we had opened presents. Our family tradition was for each to tell what what we received and who it was from. My dad started our bi-monthly family gatherings known as White Sunday with each family hosting; we took these gatherings to the lake, the bowling alley, family homes, Arkansas, it was all about family time. Daddy served in the Navy on the USS Cocopa during the Korean Conflict. We grew up hearing stories of his Navy years and a few years ago he captured many of these memories and provided each of us with his stories; not published but definitely cherished.

I am so thankful for the time I had with him, he was the one I called when things needed fixed, I was Daddy’s little girl and proud to be. I needed him and he needed me. I am grateful that I carry on some of my fathers best qualities. This man was never late, he was very organized, he loved wood working and he love his family. Yes I miss my Dad. But I go on...getting there on time, being organized, loving wooden boxes, toys and trinkets and loving my family...

Day 7 - Thankful for our Granddaughters

Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

We have 2 granddaughters, 'our children’s children' and they are indeed jewels to us. It is such a joy to be able to spend time with them. They make the day so much better even if for now that means just seeing them on skype or talking with them on the magicjack phone or on our infrequent visits to Oklahoma.

Years ago we watched a young child in front of us in church as his grandparents walked towards their pew. His eyes would light up and a smile would spread across his face as they started down the isle towards him. At that time I decided I wanted to have that kind of impact on a child.

And I am blessed to have experienced this very reaction with our oldest and it is grand indeed. I hope our newest will get to see enough of us via pictures and video phone chats so that next year when we come back to Oklahoma we can begin working on that same delightful smile~

Yes I am thankful for my grandchildren!

Day 6 - I am Thankful for the AM

Yes I am truly thankful for the AM..... Alan, Annaleise and April Mitchell that is!

I already told you all how thankful I am for Alan, but I have two other A M’s in my life.

Annaleise started dating Michael when they were Juniors in High School. They married as Juniors in College. She has been such a blessing to us. And just this fall she gave birth to Isabella our newest granddaughter!

April met Sean at a difficult time in his life and over the last 3 years has helped him get back on track. She has taken Ryan under her wings and is helping to shape her into a young lady.

These ladies are so special to me. They are helping to balance the all boy environment my family has been until they arrived. And they are taking such good care of my sons.

Yes I love the AM’s in my life and am so thankful for having them in our family~

Day 5 - I am Thankful for my Children

Proverbs 4:1

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

These boys are so very special to me. They have such different personalities but are so much alike. They are both very loving, caring, and giving individuals. They didn’t come without flaws (I’ll just say placemats, first day driving and of course speeding tickets) but they are learning as they grow how to be husbands and fathers (I see traits of their father in both of them). They would drop almost anything and come to the aid of their families and proved this more than should have had to this past year.

Yes I am thankful for my children!