Giving Thanks!

Yes, Tanner is missing from all "TWO" photos which were taken at Thanksgiving. I forgot my camera -- yes, I know that is very hard to imagine, but I did!

This Thanksgiving, as always, I have much to be thankful for. I am always grateful for my family and friends and all the joy and enrichment they bring into my life. I have to say the normal Doria family thanksgiving dinner usually has about 70-80 people, but this year it was half the number.

Not to say it was any less great! Dolores and Rene hosted the dinner, and we had about thirty family members there. One of my favorite parts of the Doria dinner is when every family has to give an update on what has been going on in their lives for the last year. We get to hear about jobs, kids activities, church works, and we get to hear about "new additions" coming. The family now has 30 grand children, 15 great-grandchildren and another 3 great-grandbabies on the way. So the family is growing.

On the Carter side, we finished moving my mother to Brownfield, TX (close to Lubbock) to live with my sister for a couple of months until a senior apartment becomes available. This move for my mother was not an easy one, as she has spent most of her life in Georgia and the memories and ties there are very strong. My sister, her husband and I drove my mom and all of her things for 26 hours, across five states. It was a long trip, but all in all a good one. I am grateful my mother is finally close to family so she will not have to spend another holiday alone, another hospital stay alone, or another birthday alone.

I know once my mom has her own apartment she will even feel better about the move. It is all so new -- city, church, friends, but I know my mom will jump right in and find her way. I am so grateful for my sister and her husband who have taken on the lion's share of the move (and they will have to move her into an apartment) and I appreciate everything they are doing.

While I was in Augusta, Georgia I had to make what might have been, the last trip to Granny and Granddad's grave site. I am glad I did and I am glad I took this photo.

I also went to see a dear friend, Becky Rigas, whom I have known since I was in the fifth grade. We have stayed in contact all throughout my life. It just so happened to be her 75th Birthday! I took her some flowers and visited with her before I went to mom's to pack up. I am really glad I went, and I knew there was going to be a HUGE surprise party for her the next day. Although I was invited, I knew I would not be able to go. I heard through the grapevine she was extremely surprised at her party!

I am very thankful for our trip to Georgia and the drive to Texas. Our entire trip was without incident and it gave me time to spend with my sister, her husband and my mother. Now we move on to the next chapter in all of our lives.

Seahaws Winners Again!

SEAHAWKS - 46




PATRIOTS - 15

On November 21 while I was packing a truck in Georgia, Tanner and his fellow Seahawks rolled on to another HUGE victory. By the end of the game I was actually on the road for a short 24 hour driving journey. Tanner played a great game (according to Tanner and Dad). Dad was very vivid in describing Tanner's touchdown which went something like this: Tanner was running into the end zone, and he was running out of bounds, then he leaps into the air, catches the ball and drags his feet in the end zone to score for the Seahawks. Dad was ecstatic and Tanner was all smiles - - I could even hear his smile through the phone. Of course, there are no pictures because Dad was in charge of that detail.

Great job Seahawks!

Georgia on My Mind

Today I am giving pause to think about my upcoming trip to Georgia. I knew this day would come, but I did not know the impact it would have on me. My sister Martha, her husband Terry, and I are all traveling to Georgia to move my mother to Texas where she will live near my sister. Anyone who listens to the music on my blog may have noticed the song "Georgia On My Mind", by Ray Charles, it has been on there since day one.

The thoughts I have are happy, sad, reminiscent, thoughtful and prayerful. This is the place where I would call home for most of my childhood life. This is the place where I attended school from 3rd grade until I graduated. This is where I went to college. This is where I learned to roller skate, hit a softball, do gymnastics, fish with my Grandad, drive (much to my Grandad's chagrin), this is where I got my first car (Nova, 3 on the tree -- green with one white front fender), to cook and to be a teenager. This is the place where I played on Lumpkin Road, walked to school everyday, made friends (who I still have in my life (Rhonda and Debbie)), learned from my Granny and Grandad, where I got my first kiss, got my first ticket, went to my first dance, my first football game, and this is the place I am possibly traveling to for the last time.

If I feel this way, I cannot imagine my mother's thoughts at this time because she has lived there most of her life. She is leaving behind far more than I can imagine, and I am sure her sadness, thoughtfulness, and reminiscing will take much longer than I to get over.

So, Augusta, Georgia here we come!

Victory is Sweet!

SEAHAWKS - 27

SAINTS - 12

Another exciting Friday night under the lights!

Tonight the Seahawks won their game, but it was not before the Saints put a couple of touchdowns on the scoreboard. As a matter of fact, the Saints had tied the game going into half time. Tanner had another great night and he got to catch the ball, score on a TD and make an extra point. I tried my best to get it in photos, but I have still not mastered the art of taking pictures with kids on the run! Either way here are the photos recapping the night.

Great job Seahawks!

OKAY -- here is the plan.....

Run Tanner Run! Okay -- next plan.......

........... Get ready Tanner!


I am open! CATCH THE BALL!

-- then turn and run!

Victory is sweet and it always tastes better when you share it with friends and family!

Seahawks Suffer First Loss

SEAHAWKS - 6

BENGALS - 25

Friday night ushered in the Seahawks' first loss of the season. The boys knew going into the game the Bengals would be a tough opponent, but they still tried their best to win. This is the only update I have because I was not at the game -- only Tanner and Dad -- so there are no photos, and no comments (men tend to not discuss losses in detail). Tanner was injured in the first half so he was unable to play for the rest of the game.

So until the next Friday Night Lights report ----

Obama Wins!!

Barack Obama

44th President of the United States of America

Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States of America on November 4, 2008. I know my political beliefs are different from many of my family members and friends, but this election this year has represented exactly what I believe -- our country needs change from the government we have had for the last eight years.

I know and have listened to all the worries and concerns about an Obama Presidency however, I have had to LIVE through the Bush years which were filled with controversy. I am excited about the changes which are coming, and look forward to hearing the specific plans our new President has for our country. Our country is in perhaps the worst place I can remember in my 50 years here, and I truly believe we are going to move ahead realize "Change is coming to America."

Change is hard for most of us to embrace, and I am sure there will be successes and failures as we navigate through the challenges ahead. I hope my family and friends will look at this time as an opportunity! It is history being made for us to witness and we can all realize the magnitude of this momentous time. Whether or not you support Obama's polital stance, we must all think about this extraordinary event which took place on this evening in our country.

Congratulations Mr. President!

There's a TEENAGER in the house!!! Head for the Hills!

Happy 13th Birthday Sierra!!!!

This year Sierra did not want a cake she wanted Peanut Butter Balls, so on your birthday, your wish is my command! She also requested Mom's Pesto Pasta for dinner which we made with ingredients straight from the garden. Grandma joined us for dinner and the evening. We all had a great time.















Dreams of Paris - and now she has a map to help her find her way! Look at her smile -- she is very excited for her trip next summer. She also received a book about the "cool" places to see if Paris, not the touristy ones!
Future designer in the making. Sierra got a sewing machine which was high on her list of things she was wishing for. Mom went online to battle it out on e-bay to find a her a great machine, slightly used, sturdy and reliable. With the help of Michelle Lowell we found a gem!

We look for great things in the making with our little designer -- Sierra!

Finally the measuring of the year -- Sierra is now 63 1/2" tall and she weighs ___, I will not reveal a young woman's weight! She grew 3 1/2" this year, and yes, she did grow taller than her Mom.

We love Sierra and the special spirit she brings to our family. Sierra is always smiling, laughing and she is very creative.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Laser Lights that is!!
Sierra's 13Th birthday included Laser Bowling for 20 thirteen year old boys and girls, and then a sleepover with 12 girls. Let's just say the bowling party was much tamer than the sleepover. I witnessed many of the girls NEVER going to bed on that evening, or is it morning?

First there was the "Getting to Know ME" game Sierra created. She asked questions about herself to see what her friends knew or thought. Angella was the only one who actually knew Sierra's middle name - Analise.Then came dinner with all of Sierra's favorite things -- pizza, Chinese chicken salad, Caesar salad, root beer, fruit and chips and Mom's salsa. YUM YUM!After dinner was settled in the tummy the girls were put into teams (by Sierra) and they had to come up with a dance and Karaoke routine to a favorite song. Let's just say there was a whole lot of creativity going on in their songs and dances. There's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on!

Apparently laughing and acting silly earned BIG points! WARNING: Moms, do not try this at home! Anyway -- these activities were great to pass along the time until the main event was to take place.

The girls really wanted to get to the bowling alley for Laser Bowling. BUT, before they were ready to leave Sierra gave each girl their very own bowling shirts! They were very special because they were GLOW IN THE DARK shirts. The girls decided they wanted their hair glow in the dark hair as well.

Finally -- the games can begin --

Chaperones --Mom and Miss Candy -- my partner in crime - Sierra invited Miss Candy to her party and she wanted her to also stay for the sleepover! She told Miss Candy she needed some "girl" time since she only has boys. Candy was happy to accept. (Well, I am sure was happy to accept before she knew bed time was around 4:00 AM!)

Candy was also not aware of the "after hour" activities which were going to take place. Let's just say she was driving the get away vehicle and there were 12 girls jumping in and out of her car with lots of toilet paper in hand. There were many of the girl's friends who were very surprised the next morning when there was toilet paper hanging from all parts of their yards.

It was a great night!

All in all it was a great evening -- we got all the boys home around 1:00 AM and we were home by 1:30 AM. The girls wanted to do other things that morning and what we did is for our eyes only and for our memories only. Let's just say the next hour and a half were spent having more "fun" and it involved 11 girls, a driver and a photographer...... shhhhhhhh!

Not much time for sleeping -- four of the girls never went to bed (Sierra being one of them!)

So until we meet again, my lips are sealed!