What we are most thankful for this year

The Smith family is nothing if not predictable. Each Thanksgiving we would belly up to the table, say grace, and then while passing the yams and deviled eggs, take turns sharing what we were most thankful for, this year's list follows:

• For two beautiful children, when many have none.


• For food to eat, when others are hungry.


• For family (even if we are all dysfunctional), when others are alone.


• For friends that will share their family and home with you for the holiday.


• For a happy marriage to my best friend.


• For Rachel's Chocolate Chip Cookies in times of crisis (she made a batch just for Jeremy and brought them by before he left town again, Thanks Rach!)


• For another birthday, when many did not get to see one.


• For a job where I am fortunate to work for and with friends that have become a part of my family.


• For Lynn's speedy recovery.


• For my brother Riley's continued friendship and for bringing Missy into our family.

I could go on and on. This holiday season and every other day, please try to remember the words of Mother Teresa which are relevant everyday:

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of the least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!" ~Given at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC Thur, 3 Feb 94.

Please remember to put the needs of others before your own this holiday season. Give to a charity and teach your children to give as well.

A Day of Thanksgiving

I have always looked more at Thanksgiving as just that, a day set aside to give thanks for what I have and have never focused too much on the historical inaccuracies behind the holiday. Don't get me started, Pilgrims and Indians, not all pumpkin pie and yams.

This year has been no different. We have had alot going on the last couple of weeks. Papa Chip (Jeremy's dad) had a nasty fall and several more that followed. He is still in the hospital with weeks of rehabilitation ahead of him. This is MS related not age related, so no broken hip or anything. We appreciate all the prayers and good vibes sent his way.

The kids and I joined my family here in Indy for an early breakfast before my brother Riley and his wife Missy hit the road for a Turkey day trot to North Carolina. We had originally planned to fly to San Diego for the holiday to see Jeremy's sister Sandy, brother John, and nephew Holden. We have opted to make a Happy St. Patrick's Day trip or something similar instead; they are Irish, so it works. After b-fast the kids and I attempted to take a happy little Christmas picture of the two of them together, but no such luck. Jack was not interested in sitting still and happily posing with Claire. But I got some cute pictures of the two of them apart.

We spent the day at home vegging out and watching Finding Nemo and playing Ring-O-Round the Rosie. We accepted an invitation from my friend Lindsey and her family for the holiday and headed up to Fishers in the afternoon. It was SUCH a wonderful dinner, prepared entirely by Josh, with his mother as the assistant chef. Delicious. We discovered the "ham ball" it is a meatball type thing made entirely of ham and various other pork products baked in a sweet glaze. Yummo. The kids had a great time and Claire impressed everyone with her happy nature. She may look EXACTLY like me (only prettier), but she has her Daddy's temperament.

Perhaps it was all the turkey in the air, but Claire Bear nodded off in Lindsey's arms and slept soundly, so mommy got to enjoy her coffee and pumpkin cheesecake in peace (except when Jack came begging like a baby bird for a bite). Jack and Zoe were adamant about sitting next to each other for the feast. Jack likes his older women! The two are both in the throes of potty training and Zoe raised an eyebrow at Jack's "approach" to the potty. He faces the potty rather than away like she does. I left that for her Mommy and Daddy to explain! The two of them are doing excellent with #1, but BOTH are sneaky and go off and hide to do the dos. Zoe notifies those who are olfactory challenged by starting off with "Don't be mad". Jack just denies, denies, denies- "No, I no stinky" when everyone within the zip code can beg to differ.

Jack ate mostly ham ball and not much else as part of his continuing experiment: How little can a two year old consume while still maintaining a high energy level. Thank you to the Russell Family for sharing their holiday with us! Jeremy made it home before the kids bedtime for a much needed cuddle with each of them. They have missed Daddy while he as been away.

In the interest of brevity, I give you October:

When you last left the Rochfords, we were surviving off microwaveable meals and eating off paper plates. Rather than leave our public in suspense, we wanted to share the good news..... (drumroll).....The Great Rochford Kitchen Remodel of 2006 has since been completed. The BIG stuff by that I mean $$$$, has been completed. Now for the fine tuning (new light fixtures, back splash, etc. etc.). Things have been busy, busy. We took a bonsai trip to Myrtle Beach for a weekend, we liked it, but for the money I gotta go with the Cape. Jack was not excited about the ocean this time. In fact in this picture he is actually screaming at the top of his lungs "NO LIKE IT!!!"

Claire-bear, however, was happy as a clam.

And did meet her (frog) Prince on our trip. He has not left her side since. My favorite part of the trip was the drive. It was BEE-U-TI-FUL!!!!! Check it out!!!!

This beautiful fall foliage was just outside Gatlinburg, I would have probably pushed to just stop there and call it a day and do some hiking, but I had secretly arranged for Jeremy's Mom, known as Nona to the kids, to join us in Myrtle Beach as a surprise to J and to give her a chance to meet little Claire Bear.

This was the view from our hotel in TN our first night. It was pitch black and pouring rain when we stopped. At about 6am, sissy and I snuck out of the room for a little complimentary breakfast and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor; I mean LOOK AT THE VIEW.

This next one was at a rest stop! A rest stop, People!

We had a good time and needed the vacation although short lived.

This is Claire, Nona, J and little J on our hotel balcony.

I will share photos of the new-fangled kitchen when she is ALL done. Not a moment sooner. She is quite a beauty though.