A Great Thanksgiving

Just wanted to take a moment to share a little of our Thanksgiving:)

It's easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the holidays... traveling, shopping, baking, cleaning;) And miss the special normal moments that pass so quickly!!

We are soo blessed with soo much materially... we have clothes that keep us warm, a house that keeps us protected from the weather, good health, and a table with plenty of food.

Thanksgiving is a unique holiday reminding us to take the time to be thankful and to spend time with those we love...

and enjoying the times spent with family around the table!

With all of our reading about Plymouth Plantation and the 1st Thanksgiving even more meaning was brought to this holiday:)

Little Indian Brave Chris lurking in the bushes

Happy Thanksgiving!!

And a quote from someone who inspired thanksgiving in the everyday for me this year:

“We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace.” 

“Thanksgiving-giving thanks in everything-prepares the way that God might show us His fullest salvation in Christ.”

― Ann Voskamp  One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Comparision, Be Content & Give Thanks

I tend to compare things A LOT.... sometimes it's ok! But as a WOMAN ( mom, wife, friend, daughter and sister) sometimes it's bad... maybe you can relate...

I don't dress as nice as so and so...
I don't keep my house as clean as them.
My kids are wild compared to that family.
Their kids are soo much smarter than ours!
Why can't we such and such like them?
Why can't I be more involved in such and such like they are?
They seem soo much closer to God than I am?

Seriously... my demented, little brain has these thoughts too MUCH and they really do stress me out. And when I'm stressed out, my family feels it and suffers. I also catch myself going onto the "defensive", like trying to defend that fact that I'm ok and that they aren't better than me, my situation, my family or how clean (or not) my house is.

I have been indirectly convicted TWICE about this problem of comparison of mine in the last month! Once by a sweet homeschooling friend who shared with a group of ladies a quote she had read from her Sunday school lesson.

Comparison is the enemy of contentment.

Ouch! Really??? Was that for me???... I wrote it down just in case:)

And then Brian summarized an application a sermon last week saying,

"We should spend less time interpreting/judging other people's lives and give more attention to leading holy lives ourselves."

Double ouch... was he talking to me???

(LOL!! That's always the joke right, the pastor knows what you're struggling with and speaks at you!!And my pastor is my husband and he knows too well how I struggle!) Actually, Brian said that he heard an audible noise from my pew!! Not sure if it was me responding or quieting down the irritable infant... I'll go with the latter, to maintain my "innocence"!

I have found though that my tendency to compare is directly link to my time ( or lack of time) before God!! When I am focused on Him, the other things don't seem as important. Or when I'm busy doing the things I should be, like teaching, reading with and playing with my kids or serving my husband, the "extras" don't seem like such "big deals" anymore... my family likes me regardless of my house-wife attire... LOL!

Another thing is that when I am reading through the Bible, I see how much I fall short to His standards... being quiet and gentle, giving of myself with gladness, encouraging others, loving unconditionally... those are standards that are eternally meaningful and blessings to my family and others.

And yes, when I am intentionally looking for reasons to be thankful, my heart is content and overflowing with gratitude for all I have been given and get to enjoy. And when there is contentment the tendency to compare is lessened... I can be thankful for the good fortunes of others. Like I'm reminded here...

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:15-16

And my favorite (you can hear me chant it above the noisy chaos of my household!!)

...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

And so it's with that background I get to share the things I am thankful for,
things that I got to enjoy this week...


56. a delicious (and safe) pizza made with our hands

57. reading time with Anna
58. sweet baby smiles

59. two brothers in a tub

60. first words, "ma, ma"and "da,da" heard
61. rainy days inside playing games together
62. movie night snacks

63. a husband that keeps me laughing
64. the warmth of the sun
65. daughter singing the great hymns of faith by memory
66. another "singing" hymns from an upside down Bible
67. praise music while in doing housework
68. a firm reminder to be faithful to the Lord (and all He has given me) in the season and place that I am in, not anyone else

Blips and Pics from Our Thanksgiving Trip

On Thanksgiving we joined the masses to grandma's house for Thanksgiving supper:) We left super early so we could spend most of the day with family and make our weekend trip seem longer:) Although it was short and relaxing, we definitely had plenty of fun!

Christopher noticed the birthday presents almost as soon as he got to Grandma's... so he opneded them up and headed outside to test out his HUGE remote control monster truck!!

Since Anna was a little intimidated by the bigger bike Grandma and Grandaddy had waiting, the boys took it our for a spin, or two!! You will never meet a father/son pair with such similiar mannerisms, sense of humor and interests... LOL!!

On Friday, we skipped the shopping to visit with Gran-Grandma!! She had fallen on Thursday, so we were all comforted to see her and be reminded that she's a tough little lady:)

Brian dotes on his grandmother! It's soo sweet to see! It's amazing that she'll be 101 years old come January!!



A flat tire on the way home from Gran-grandma's!! Nothing makes you worry more about your husband than seeing him laying on a highway shoulder changing the tire on the family van! Then nothing makes your more thankful and proud when you're back on the road minutes later.... I've got a great hubby! And a super father-in-law!



On Friday night we tried to sneak out for a movie! But the movie we were all hoping to see was "sold out"! So we headed to the Red Box! The girls enjoyed the warm car and sent the boys to do the soul searching of whether they were going to get a movie for their wives or themselves:)

I'm happy to report they are good husbands and got the girlie movie, although they totally got into the car singing the Transformer theme song... LOL!!

Grandma making breakfast with her three little "helpers"!!

Want to know how to really confuse Grandaddy???

Give him his Christmas present the Saturday after Thanksgiving while he's reading the newspaper:) LOL

We want him to try it out before Christmas!!


We tried to get some family photos for Grandma and Grandaddy's Christmas card.... LOL!! Chris wanted to wear binoculars... what a nutty kid!! Cute though:)



Before we left on Saturday, we did do a little shopping. Brian and I woke early to get some deals at an empty store... LOL... we probably didn't need to get up quite so early on Saturday:) But they appreciated the business, maybe not the morning breath!!

Later we visited the outlets:) At a children's store Brian and I scoured the 99 cent racks to find t-shirts for Anna next summer:) We wished we would have picked out some for Lydia too... since she already fits in their size 4 shirts:)

I thought these little shirts were adorable.... the girls loved them and wore them all day:)

We had a great trip and Thanksgiving with family:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

AS I was trying to think of something AMAZINGLY encouraging and uplifting to say about being thankful... I was reminded of my own struggles this year and how much of my struggle was about NOT being grateful for everything I already had.

SO take the time to be thankful to the Lord who gives us soo much! And show gratitude to others who support, encourage and love us!

This is a fun photography meme... the theme this week is Food... how fitting for Thanksgiving Day!!

The picture was Anna's plate from the Thanksgiving Homeschool Party we participated in. With the kids' food allergies, we are always thankful for finding safe foods at potlucks!!

3 Thankful Turkeys and a Goat

On Friday we partciipated in a Thanksgiving Party and Feast with some more local homeschoolers! One of the activities was making Thankful Turkeys! I thought all the kids did really well... here are the three that we brought home:)

This is Lydia's!
Brian obviously wrote the words for her, but she told him what to write:) Soo cute! Gotta love that she is thankful for "popcorn"!!!

This is Christopher's!
He picked his feathers and how he wanted them arranged:)
Originially he was drawing pictures of things he was thankful for, like robots and sprayers...LOL!! But I think he got embarrassed so he colored it all in. And he told me his turkey had been playing in MUD:)

Anna did hers alone (minus me helping her with the word "house")!!!
I love the simple but sweet words (even those slightly mispelled... like "sestr"!

The two on the top that are soo light read "Gob" (aka God) and Word (aka the Bible)!! So sweet!

We had an informal mtg about 4H... after the meeting they had some goats for the kids to pet and feed. I LOVE how much my Christopher loves animals. He was the first to stick his hand in the bucket to feed the goats:)

I had to share this picture because I just LOVE his "I'm loving this" face!

Black Friday Shopping

Yes, I was one of the CRAZY ladies awake and at Kohls Friday morning/night! And since I'm on vacation and not familiar with this area, my sweet mother-in-law was talked into coming with me! :) We had never done the Early morning shopping before and was shocked that there were hundreds more CRAZY people at Kohls this morning:)

We stood in line to check out for close to an hour from almost 4:30 to 5:30!! And although I wished I was tucked into my bed at that time and was slightly uncomfortable with the items I had in my arms (no carts... hahaa).... I learned a lot!!

With people grabbing more and more to add to their carts (and arms)... I tried not to get caught up in the frenzy! My mother-in-law spied a couple of things that would have been nice to have and were at very nice and super afforable prices... but we stayed in line and pondered if we really NEEDED these "extra" items...

How much do we need?
How much stuff do our kids need?
What is our focus this season?

We've decided to focus on the Babe in the Manger and not the materials things that break, loose value and can be fit under a tree:) We will still be trading gifts with our loved ones but we've really tried to keep it simple and pray that our kids learn more about Christ than the latest toys and gadgets!

While our kids slept, Brian and I headed to our local Goodwill to spy some casual pants for Momma:) I always seem to find SOMETHING at this Goodwill:) Anyway, at 6am I found a cute winter dress for Anna at Belks for about $20 as an Early Bird Special!! But at Goodwill, I found this super cute BABY GAP jumper and matching hat for $2.99!! And honestly I don't even think it had ever been washed!!! Glad I waited on the $20 dress:)

I pray though with all of the holidays and birthdays we have during this season, that we would not loose focus on the Manger and Cross! And that we would be thankful for what we HAVE and not all we want and can (or can't afford to) acquire!!

***Maybe there is a VERY, VERY good reason we celebrate Thanksgiving BEFORE we celebrate Christmas????

Our Provisions

On Thanksgiving Day we remember the Thanksgiving Feast of the piligrims who praised God for His provisions for them. Even in the hardships they faced in leaving their home country, traveling in tight quarters for months, building a new home, and barely surviving a harsh winter! They praised God!!!

And here I am many, many years later eating a meal called Thanksgiving. I have a plate before me of food. Good food. Lovingly prepared. And I am thankful!

I may not have had similiar struggles and hardships that the piligrims faced, but I still have learned that God provides. I have a strong and reliable roof over my head. I have a loving family. And I have meals daily. Praise God for His provisions for us!!

May we be faithful to give thanks to Him!!

Our Family

Well I really want to include pics with each post:) But I'm NOT on my computer :( So this post will be lacking in the pics, but not in the appreciation:)

We have been blessed with great extended families.... Brian's parents and my own have been such a blessing to us! Our greatest encouragers and sounding boards:) And then look beyond our parents into our siblings... they have all been very sweet and understanding aunts and uncles... even when none of them have children, yet!!

I do have a pic from Scott and Bea's wedding.. so here is one set of extended family from Oct!!

****Need to say that this is a Michelle Barnett Photography pic...

I wish a had a pic of my whole family:( But I've recently found that we might be celebrating Christmas with the whole family in one spot this year.... I'm thinking it's picture time:) So I'm hoping to have a pic of all of us:) I have my mom and Dad, my brother Brian, my sister Jaclyn, her husband Carson, and my "little" brother Eric!!

Guys we love you!! We pray for you often!! And we look forward to spending some part of the holidays with you!! While we all had "fun" growing up together, we are thankful for our relationships with you guys, our siblings! And we're thankful for your love and relationships with our kiddies!!

For our parents what can we say??? You taught us sooo much about service, kindness, love and hard work! We appreciate all you do fo us!! And you've definitely taught us that parenting extends beyond the teen years.... ah haaa!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Our Week of THANKFULNESS

I was thinking that in the spirit of being thankful this week.... each post will be about the things that we are thankful for:) I've tried to encourage the kids last week and will continue to encourage them this week to look around and be thankful for all the big and little things we have and are given:)

So my first thing to be thankful for is God. I praise the Lord for bringing me to Him at a young age and for keeping my close through the years. I know I was tempted and made mistakes and so I also thank the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness!! And my prayer is that my children would also know the Lord early in life and to have His love and steady guidance, like I have had!!

It was very fitting that last week the kids learned the verse :

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Our Thanksgiving "Class"

Today after all the excitement of the snow we buckled down and got to work on our final day of the Thanksgiving Story.... I've been using the book ...If you Sailed on the Mayflower by Ann McGovern.

It wasn't the book I had originially wanted to get but it somehow i only ended up with this one!! And we liked it. It was broken into question and answer, so it wasn't extremely detailed but very good my crew. And since it was tailored to kids and what the kids did on the ship, when they landed, how they lived.... my kids listened intently:)

We did some counting by tens when we read that the Indians brought 90 people to the feast:)

We finished reading about the Thanksgiving celebration and meal. Then we sorted food (some mentioned in the book) into the different food groups!!! They needed to know food groups... and Anna did ok... she had trouble with turnips;) Christopher really wanted match the color of the picture to the letters of the category:) He had a hard time putting the red pepers into the greeen vegetable pile and not on the red fruit sign! Ahhh.... Preschoolers:)

Ohh, I am given magazines from Grandma and so all the food pictures came from those... they get stacked up after a while, but it's been than just throwing them out. I look through and get recipes and then the kids and I cut them up for "school projects"!

After sorting food, we worked on making pilgrim hats and Indian headwear.... you know the classic elementary school projects for Thanksgiving! The kids wanted to paint their hats so I let them!!! Here they are, hard at work:)












And here's what my table looks like in the midst of schooling/crafts...

And here are the cutest little pilgrim and the silliest Indian (and their adorable, pant-less again, little sister) eating popcorn as we fix lunch:)
And here is our verse for the week: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Have a Very THANKFUL Thanksgiving:)

Thanksgiving Themed school Work

I've been plotting for a week or so that this would be our THANKSGIVING study week..... although I'm still in the gathering stage:)

I thought I'd share some of he fun resources I've found:) For all those interested!! (let me first warn that I haven't checked all the accuracy of all of the resources... but most so far have been good and I have preschoolers so I'm not going into too much detail... at least not yet)

ABC Teach


The Piligrims First Thanksgiving (great ideas for each subject, some printables)

More resources on the Social Studies and Units for Thanksgiving

And there are some great thankfulness Scripture passages that would be awesome to have your family "hide in their hearts" during this THanksgiving season!!

Off to gather the crew and begin:)