dinner went well!

our nextdoor neighbors came last night. it was wonderful. they are great! even thier 16 year old son who does not socialize very much came and he smiled a lot and ate a lot and even contributed to conversation!
i didn't know what to have on the menu. i mean, i was brought up on southern hospitality where you bring out the hog when you have anyone over. it was not to intimidate. actually quite the opposite. it was to show you care enough about them to give your very best. i have that same philosophy today, however, in this neck of the woods, people don't get together in houses very much and cook for one another. they generally go out somewhere. i really like having people in my home, but i got to thinking that if i wanted to make it easy for her to have us over sometime and have them feel comfortable to come over again, i probably should not do "my mom's thanksgiving meal" for dinner. bret thought i was way over thinking it. maybe i was, but, i think it went perfect. i made chicken and rice with squash and salad. we had dessert from a box that bret made and it was delicious. she also suprised me with dessert that was really good, too. i think the door was opened for some good friendship and felloswhip last night. and if nothing else, we will be able to talke more easily when we see each other come and go. she wants to have us over some saturday for homemade chinese that she really likes to make. so.... it was good. they stayed and talked for over an hour after supper. even the kids!!! i feel very honored.

i am very excited about going home soon to see family! it will be a much needed get away. i just need to see you all with my own eyes!!! just 15 days till departure. some friends, darin and tracy, from reidland are coming to dallas for a work conference and we are planning on spending some time with them. i am very excited to see them. it will be fun and a good running start to seeing all of you in two weeks. love you all,
see ya soon,
summer