A memorable Thanksgiving

 This year was such a memorable Thanksgiving for many reasons.
- Karen and Jesse were in town to join us. Karen's boyfriend, Jesse pulled out his awesome cooking skills and made a great turkey, and some bacon-mac and cheese.
- We are a host family to 3 Chinese students from the Curtis School of Music. This year they were able to join us for Thanksgiving!
- What made this year the most memorable was that it was our last Brindley/Torrens Thanksgiving meal at 22 W Greenhill Rd. Al and Marilyn are getting ready to move to Colorado next month to watch their new granddaughter Blake when Julie goes back to work a few days a week.

 We had the girls try eggnog. People from China don't drink much dairy, nor sweet things. Well eggnog is both. I don't think they hated it, but they didn't love it either.

The Brindley/Torrens Family (Marilyn with her brother Bob)

Al and Marilyn befriended two Chinese girls last fall. Together they have shared tea, and meals. Fei and June introduced Al and Marilyn to sushi. They formed quite a friendship. June (pictured above) was also able to join us for Thanksgiving. Fei was off skiing (for the first time I might add) in Vermont. 

Tuesday morning

 Tuesday morning is my new favorite morning!
Lilia is in school, Alex is at preschool and I have a little over two hours to myself.
It, is, GLORIOUS!
After we came home from an incredible and life-giving summer in Colorado I knew getting out into nature and connecting with God had to be a priority this semester. I've been taking Tuesday morning as that.
From Alex's school it's a 20 minute trek up Lincoln Drive to the Wissahickon Trail, near Valley Green Inn. A handful of times Dave has been able to join me, but now he has a Bible study Tuesday mornings.
Either way, I'm getting into nature, getting exercise and connecting with God. In the winter I get so depressed. The cold weather, grey skies, and time spent indoors just kills me. Exercise and hiking/walking are keeping the winter blues far away!

Some people connect with God best through music, or Christian fellowship, but for me it's nature. Setting my eyes on the wonders of what God has created causes me to worship Him. There is something deep in my soul that's touched when I'm out in nature. I think that is why I dragged the kids hiking this summer in Co. I have such fond memories of hiking with my family and I want to create that with my kids. I want to point out the incredible beauty that God shows us; his art work; his creativity, in hopes that they will worship Him in this way too. Maybe not to the same degree as me, but hopefully in some way.
So Tuesday mornings are my favorite. It's not every Tuesday morning that I can do this, but when I do - I'm set, I'm filled up, I'm happier. My kids benefit when I'm refreshed, my husband benefits when I'm refreshed and I am quicker to spill out God's love. Praise be to God!

Horse Race anyone?

 My parent's friend Patti - you might remember her as the one with 4 horses - invited Lilia to come to see her horse race in NJ. My mom came with us. We waiting out in the cold air watching rider after rider trot in.
Patti wanted Lilia to come because after the first 25 miles, all the riders come in for a vet check and a 45 minute break to recharge. Early on as we were waiting for the riders to come through we got to ask one vet about the whole process; what she looks for, what they check, etc. It was pretty interesting.

Lilia holding onto Patti's horse Valen, an Arabian.

 Patti introduced Lilia as her adopted granddaughter. Patti was so encouraged that we were there. She ended up coming in at 9th place in a 75 mile race.

We made some horse treats the night before. Valen loved eating the molasses, carrot, apple and oat "cookies". Lilia loved getting to help feed him.

Family Tourist Day

 Let me first get out of the way that these pictures are from 3 weeks ago; I have become the worst blogger! I'm sorry for all of you who check often and are disappointed when there are no new posts. Sorry.

So Karen and her boyfriend Jesse came into town, three weeks ago. Jesse loves history so we showed him around to the very historic parts of town.

The kids had a great time with Aunt Karen. Oh how they love her so. And since they love Aunt Karen, they really like Jesse. At one point Lilia grabbed Jesse's hand as they were walking. (Too cute!)

Playing games as we waited to tour Independence Hall

One fun thing kids can do in the city of Brotherly Love is to get a Jr. Ranger badge because all of the historic places are part of the Independence National Historic Park. We grabbed some books and tried to fill in as much as possible.

When we were at the Liberty Bell, Alex was mad and chose not to fill in his drawing. He said, "This isn't the real one because this one has a crack in it." He'll look back and laugh at that one day!


Pictured right: the kids being sworn in.

The kids received a signed certificate with their book, along with badges stating the name of the park. They are now Jr. Rangers of two national parks. Oddly enough, they got their first one in CO.

Trick or Treat

This year Lilia was a fashion fairy. She knew for quite some time this is what she would be and she never waivered in her decision.
Alex on the other hand - decided at the last minute about his costume. Earlier that morning he was Batman at preschool. His Ironman costume was too long and that bothered him. When we were out and about strangers would ask him, "What are you going to be for Halloween?" He was respond, "Wolverine."
For his birthday a few weeks ago he got lots of superhero stuff for his birthday and Wolverine wasn't one of them. He knew his options were something we already had at home, but that's Alex...he wants what he doesn't have.
My prayer for him is that in his stubbornness God would use it. That Alex would be stubborn for the truth of God's word.

Lilia with some of her Chinese friends from school

We ended our trick-or-treating with dinner at Ben and Beth's. They live around the corner and lead our Bible study. Beth is like an aunt to the kids. They adore her!
At one point Beth brought out glow sticks and Lilia exclaimed, "I love you Beth. You're always ready for fun!"