"Thankful" is a Magic Word!

As I sit here tonight in the quietness of the pre-Thanksgiving craziness, I think about being 'thankful' for so many things.  Number one being my family.  We've had some trying times lately and I would bargain to say that I'm kinda ready for 2019 to close it's chapters....and that's a hard thing to say when you've got as many years behind you as I do!!!!  Don't wanna really give one day away but man, oh man......this one has been a challenge.

Yet, in all of the cards we've been dealt this year, there always remains one constant.

FAMILY.

I can always count on the support of my sweet boyfriend who is always close enough to reach out to, or in most instances, knows my needs before I actually do......42 yrs and I think we may have the hang of this thing called marriage!
My sons, who I know I can always count on.....no matter what is going on.  No questions asked.
My daughter in laws, who jump into action the minute it's needed and never look at the why's or when's.....they just know what to do.
My sweet, sweet grandchildren, who don't even know how much love they provide just by breathing the same air as I do.

This week, we will all gather together with hearts and souls laughing and just being "us"..and for some reason, it feels like a miracle this year!!!!

And for that.....I am so THANKFUL!!!!

six sweet souls snuggled in for movie night!!

...Back to Belize!

As I sit in my chair in front of the windows across the back of the house at the lake, on a rainy and chilly day, what do I see?
Not this!!!!!

or this....

This was just a picture perfect day with picture perfect friends!!!

So.............once we landed at San Pedro/Ambergris Cay..

we went straight to our resort for 4 more heavenly days!

The resort was very jungle-y....is that even a word???...very private and gorgeous landscapes.

My boyfriend and I had the whole top floor!!!

the views we woke up to each morning!

our balcony....that overlooked this! 

Most cocktail hrs were spent here!

One day we rented a golf cart and explored the town...

I'm always amazed at the churches we find in every central american/caribbean town.  Always a piece of art, whether they be big or tiny.

Love that this piece of scripture is on the outside of the church...

We came upon a little factory.....can you guess what they're making?

corn...

into the crusher...

distributing the dough..

A tortilla factory!!! They drive right up to the window and buy hot tortillas!

This was a fun adventure...

Dinner here:

Dinner there:

Dinner everywhere!

even a night of watching softball across the street from the cerviche bar!

One afternoon, the gang walked to the ferry to ride across the waters to Cay Caulker, another island close by.  

I stayed behind because of some back issues so as hard as it was, I managed....

Even the new Cap'n got a little rest and relaxation!

Our last night of a fun filled trip was spent over a leisurely dinner under a beautiful moon!

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came."

                                                             ~john f. kennedy~

Another sailing trip in the books!!

Must interrupt trip story for the goblins....

...because they were just about the cutest lil "Halloweeners" in all the land!!!

I know they're mine but I just think these kids are the cutest ones EVER!!!!

and their moms always come up with the most darling costumes!!!

2019!

2016!

Baby Lane finally got tall enough to see over the edge of the train all by himself!!!

but he's still our baby!!!!