Thanksgiving 2008!

The Blackman family gathered at our favorite central location--Matt & Becky's house. Mom and Dad Blackman drove from VA Beach, and our special treat was being joined by Dad Blackman's kid brother, Robert, and his family. All of us had not been together since well before our little ones were born, so it was a great day of reconnecting with them--Uncle Bobby, Aunt Sharon, Ashley (an athletic trainer), and Trent (currently in his last year at VMI.)

Here's Uncle Bobby with Amelia (who snuck into the picture of the two brothers & their wives!), and the four cousins together for the first time in a long time.

And speaking of cousins, Casey was a great host to Evelyn and Amelia, who enjoyed all his Batman toys and even tried their hands at video games. (I've finally found video games--besides Wii--that I can PLAY! They are rated for toddlers, but I think with a little practice I could ROCK!) For a split second we considered trying to get the three of them together for a picture--but we opted instead to maintain the delightful level of contentment!

One of my favorite moments was Amelia's prayer for the Thanksgiving feast. Once she bowed her head, she was staring at her plate of food, and she simply thanked God (as our forefathers did) for everything on it. "Dank you for my broccoli...my carrots...my weet potayoes...weet potayoes...weet potayoes. Amen."


Uncle Bobby recently had serious heart surgery, so there was an extra sense of thankfulness. What a treasure to be able to share in one another's lives. Thank you, everyone, for a lovely Thanksgiving!

"Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again...As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure." (Psalm 71:20-21, 114-15)

"You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." (Job 11:16-18)