Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving and stuff

I finally ordered my Christmas Card photo's from winkflash last night. My cards are 6X6 so I'm printing these 5X5. I had no control of which square each picture was located . I would click, then it would shuffle. It never shuffled in the order I wanted them in so I settled on this. They are pretty fast at shipping so things are going good on that front.


For Thanksgiving we always get together with the George side and everyone has their food assignments to bring. I brought dessert and 80 deviled eggs. Cody helped fill those, because that's the fun part. When I was at Sam's Club I saw their big pies and they were so cheap so I decided to buy 2 pumpkin and 1 pecan instead of making them. I did make the cherry cream, chocolate cream and the banana cream. (half without nuts since Rodney is allergic.) We loaded up the ice chest and headed to the in-laws. When we got there my cherry pie had slid over and landed in the chocolate cream pie. There was chocolate everywhere! Made me so mad. We were the last ones there and they were ready to eat. In all the mess I totally forgot to set out the deviled eggs until after dinner...so dumb! usually we eat nearly all of them. This year I have lots of eggs left over and I mean LOTS! I didn't take one picture the whole day. I can hardly believe it. My head just wasn't in it. I did however cut up more paper for my Christmas cards while we watched the new die hard movie. It was good being together with everyone. The dinner and the company was really nice.

In case you noticed who was missing from the picture, It's Sandy. Chad broke off the engagement with her a couple of days ago. She has been pretty ugly about the whole thing and it's taken everything in me to be the bigger person and not chew her out for being so awful. He gave it lots of thought. He had talked to her about her behavior and how much she's changed. He noticed in all of her pictures on myspace that she was less than modest and it made him very uncomfortable with the types of pictures she was posting for the world to see. He didn't tell her what to do. Only how it made him feel. She told him she will dress however she wants to and she's not changing for anyone. We all noticed her behavior had changed drastically when Chad was home on 2 week leave this summer and it wasn't a good change. She was continually having Chad buy her things, she monopolized all of his time and she was rude and self absorbed. Not at all the sweet Sandy we knew and loved. She has been pushing for him to move to Tennessee when he gets home, but he wants to live in Arizona, because all of his family is here and he loves it here. The discussion escalated to topics of religion and raising a family. They didn't agree on any of it. She said he doesn't compromise in their relationship and it should be give and take. She wants him to give up his family, his values and his religious beliefs. I'm sorry, but those things are not to be compromised. He told her he wouldn't give up those things for her or anyone and he should never be asked to, so he broke it off. I guess her idea of give and take is him give up everything and her take him for everything she can. Now the problem is she has been horribly mean to me, Chad and Mark. It was shocking since we've never been anything but nice and supportive to her, even when she didn't deserve it. She is refusing to give back things that belong to Chad...thousands of dollars worth of stuff. Chad didn't ask for things that he bought her like clothes, jewelry, expensive purses, etc. There are only a few things he wants and she's being very greedy about the whole thing. Of course she's getting encouragement from her less than upstanding dad to stick it to Chad. He's also offered lovely pieces of counsel to her like, there's millions of guys out there who will treat you like a queen and do anything for you and you won't have to change a da* thing. ...Obviously the pillar of intelligent advise. There are so many things I'd like to share that are completely factual, but Chad and Mark insist I be the bigger person. So hard! They probably won't be happy I shared this much, but a girl has to vent..if even just a little bit. I'm just so mad and disappointed in her. I have a copy of all the conversations so there is no he said/she said. I know the truth. My Christmas card inside message included stuff with Sandy so I had to print a little addendum for her departure from our family. We are all so proud of how Chad handled this whole thing. He was mature and polite to her the whole time...even with her being beyond snotty. Marriage for him is a one time thing and he thought ahead to his future and made the best decision. He will be blessed in the future with a lovely wife who will have the same values and love him and his family. We are all counting our blessings that this happened before they got married.


Chad said their Thanksgiving dinner wasn't half bad. The soldiers all applauded the Afghan cooks. They got all choked up to be appreciated by the soldiers. He said it was pretty cool! :o)





26 comments:

Amie said...

Poor Chad, that must of been a huge decision to make, I hope he is feeling alright :o)

Sorry to hear about your deserts and eggs.... what a waste.

Have a great weekend.

I wasn't able to comment on your gratitue class the other day but it looked great, your handouts always look beautiful :o)

Susie Q said...

I will keep Chad in my thoughts and heart and prayers..you TOO dear Jolene as I know what it is like to be the Mom in a situation like this!

Chad is growing up and she just was not. He realized it and she refused to work together...I have seen this before and I am so thankful he recognized this now!! I know you are as well. This is HER loss...I fear she may have a rough life ahead of her if her attitude does not change.

Chad has a bright future and WILL find the girl for him.

Bless you all...

Love,
Sue

Kim said...

That chocolate cream pie looks divine (it's my favorite kind of pie). Oh and those eggs--YUMMY.

Sorry to read about Chad & Sandy. I know this isn't a comforting thing to say, but at least it happened now instead of later. You've raised a Chad into a wonderful man and there is a gal out there who will just be perfect for him.

Enjoy your weekend, Jolene!

Anonymous said...

Joloene, i have been reading your Blog for awhile now and Love everything about it. It is always so encouraging to me in so many. But today your post really hit home. I know EXACLY how you feel about Sandy. Our family has been through exacly what your going through right now. You don't even know. I wish I could pick up the phone right now and call youand talk. My space is a very WICK thing. My oldest son (I have 5 sons then 2 daughters) preached about my space not to long along at Church. He is our youth Pastor at our Church. then my other sons are all in the military, 1 Marine, 2 Air Fouce, and 1 Army. If you would like Icould send you a copy of the message. I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Let me know if I can help in any way.

linda t said...

Wow, so thankful Chad and Sandy went their separate ways before they married... they are obviously unequally yoked. Thank God HE intervened and revealed her true colors.
I had to laugh about the deviled eggs... cuz I posted today about the fact that I forgot to set out the cranberry sauce yesterday! I asked if anyone else has ever forgotten something. Thanks for sharing Jolene... made me feel much better! Ha!

Jacquie said...

Mmmm the cherry pie looks positively deliscious. I haven't had deviled eggs in forever YUM!

I had been kinda wondering about Sandy as of late. It is too bad she turned out to be not so nice. Chad will find the girl of his dreams one day and she will be worthy of him and all that comes with him.

Your family should be proud that while yes you vented you didn't go beserk on your post. As a mother it is hard not to feel when your kids get hurt. Kudos to you for being the bigger person.

Chickenbells said...

LOVE the picture! What a great idea to do it like that...

I am so sorry about the pie drama, that is rotten, and they looked really good. Can you believe I didn't even make or eat any dessert? I was wondering why I didn't feel so full this year...hahaha!

I am so glad that Chad was so mature about this. It must be so hard for him...it shows how happy he is within his own life, don't you think? I am glad they talked about the important things before they got married too, that would have been a bad conversation to have after and with a child or 2...plus, marriage is such a challenge normally, if you can't agree with some of the basics...it's going to be a lot harder! Religion, child rearing and how you spend both your time and money are REALLY BIG issues...compromise is OK, but giving up all of what you value is not...good for him. He is going to find someone in good time who is better suited to what he wants in his life (and it's good for you to get it off your chest...also mature my dear!)

Andi said...

Sure wish I had one of those deviled eggs!!!

Jolene, I love the George Family picture...I think it shuffed it perfectly. Your boys all look so handsome and you look pretty adorable yourself!

I agree completed with Sue on the situation with Chad and Sandy. He made the right decision.

Anonymous said...

*hugs* to you and especially Chad. I am proud of him. Having married very young myself and having things not work out (the first time), I admire anyone who is able to walk away before they get married (when red flags begin to show). That is one thing I had wished that I had done. I'm sorry that it is being ugly right now.

Cassandra said...

Your food looks wonderful...as always! I am so sorry to hear about Chad and Sandy. The gifts he bought for her are a small price to pay in comparison to what an unhappy marriage and divorce would have cost though. At least he realizes how important his family and faith are. My thoughts and best wishes are with you!

Nicole *Ü* said...

Your pies looked wonderful! I'm so sorry they had an accident on the way!! I'm sorry about Sandy too. No fun at all. But good for Chad for standing up for his beliefs and making what was no doubt a very difficult decision. I hope things go better as far as that's concerned!!

Briana said...

Love your cards. I'm so sorry about Chad and Sandy. But you have raised a good man with a good head on his shoulders and he did what was best for him. You should be very proud! So glad his Thanksgiving dinner wasn't half bad!

Valerie said...

not a doubt in my mind that Chad would be a total gentleman. look at his parents!

i'm so sorry it got nasty. it's not a pretty thing, but i'm glad he made that decision, hard as it is!

Vida said...

Hi Jolene! Where can I begin? Your food looks great! Hopefully in the future we can eventually meet! I've asked my hubby to put Arizona, Nevada, Cali, and Colorado as one of our stateside bases to go to, just in case we don't get Italy! :)

Please tell Chad that he made the greatest decision ever! Obviously Sandy wouldn't have made it as a "George" and would have made all the military wives out there look horrible. Obviously God had a lot of things planned for Chad and Sandy obviously wasn't part of the picture! Just know that you raised your son just right! He handled everything (and still is) as best as he could. Just make sure to give him a big cyber hug from the Price family! :)

Happy holidays and thanks for always sharing! You're awesome!

Hugs, Vida

~Telah said...

I remember reading the posts from this summer when Chad was home. I could tell in your writing and even in the pictures that Sandy was being pretty ugly. Good riddens! :)

Kassie said...

Jolene, Crazy Thanksgiving. Sorry about the pies and forgotten eggs. After having a pie knocked from my hands twice, I have made a vow never to make and take one again. All that work!

So glad that Chad realized that Sandy was not right for him before the marriage and not after. I'm sure that he will find a girl who will respect his values and faith and hopefully even share them.

Glad he got a good dinner in Afghanistan. What a cute story.

Anonymous said...

Sounds as though Chad has his priorities straight - he's a man who know what he wants and will not compromise - as you said, you can't compromise family and spiritual beliefs! About Sandy's dad - sounds as though the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!! Chad will be sooo much better off in the long run! :D Happiness to you all...

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that Chad was strong enough to realize what Sandy was before they took the lunge. Her parents were so wonderful that when she was young she was taken away and put in foster care and eventually reunited with her parents - these are the people that she is getting such great advise from. Amazing!! Well, all of us saw her for what she was long before this but kept our mouth shut in respect for Chad's opinion or choice. I'm happy he opened his eyes. I'm proud of you Chad. MOST people are not strong enough to leave. That is the harder decision but the right one.

Carol Dunton said...

Oh my girl... well, I had to catch up with your blog after getting home this afternoon...and all of the yummies look like they were fantastic! Your creativity with your young woman's group is going to enrich and bless those lucky girls in SO many ways.

Jolene, I am sorry for the hurt that is being caused to your family by Sandy. I am grateful that Chad was able to make a difficult decision. I have a saying that has served me well for many years... sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do. I think Chad's decision is a testamony to his knowing that his family was behind him and would support his decision. Sandy has much to learn.

I would love to meet up with you sometime. Maybe we can get something arranged this season. Here's my email... tuck it away should a break in the crazy season happen! cadunton@yahoo.com

Thanks for sharing your world with us... it's always a joy to 'visit' with you! xox
Vb

Anonymous said...

That sure does suck about Sandy. And what an awful time for her to be so unsupportive of him, while he's on the other side of the world risking his life on a daily basis. BUT on the other hand, I'm glad they had these discussions prior to the marriage, much easier now. Sad though....very sad.

Jeanette - said...

Jolene -
First I LOVE your pictures, they look great!
Sorry about the pie and the eggs, but I bet the pies still tasted great :o)
About Chad, tell him I admire him greatly! To figure out now that this girl is not for him was very mature. She definitely needs to grow up some and learn what marriage is all about. I have a quote that I love that says, "Instead of looking for a miracle in your life, look to see if you are the miracle in someone else's life." I've actually been collecting quotes like this lately, so just let me know if you need a pick me up :o)
HUGE HUGS,
Jeanette

Monogram Queen said...

I am so sorry to hear how shabbily Sandy is acting. You have raised a wonderful intelligent son Jolene. Things always work out for the best!

Nina Diane said...

Chad is being the adult......you raised a good man!

Pam said...

WOW! You have raised a very smart boy Jolene! I am so glad Chad had the courage to stand up for his beliefs and not be swayed by a girl! There aren't many men who can say the same this day and age! Chad will find the perfect girl one day and she will be the luckiest girl in the world!

So glad he had a good Turkey Day so far away too!

And would you look at all those deviled eggs! YUM!

Anonymous said...

I know you are proud of Chad for making such a wise, mature decision. If she didn't respect him, his values & the way he is that means she clearly dosen't love him. Anyway you look at it.
It takes a big man to wear those shoes. Sounds like he wears them well!

Anonymous said...

Good for him to see her for what she really is before they were married!! Besides...he is way too young for marriage. Glad that he is doing ok overseas and that you are able to IM with him... I LOVE IM!! I love the way that you were able to do your pictures this year since you can't get everyone together for a group shot. I hope I get 1 this year :)