Thanksgiving Thirteen!

My 13 favorite highlights from today:

1. Sleeping in!

2. Brunch at our house, us 4 + Chris and Michelle and the girls. Austin stayed with Grammie the night before, which made the whole sleeping in/even number of children/quiet afternoon thing possible. Thanks mom!

3. Ellie only having 2 meltdowns and both before noon!  The rest of the day was good for her, and I am quite thankful for that. :-)

4. Thanksgiving TV: Macy's parade, the dog show, Miracle on 34th street, and Horton Hears a Who!

5. Ellie peeling 10 pounds of potatoes by herself!  

6. Me not freaking out that nothing is decorated for Christmas yet, that the house wasn't perfect, that the turkey took too long, etc...  I was pretty relaxed today! :)   

7. Getting to sit and rest for awhile between gatherings.

8. A calm, quiet house between gatherings today. 

9. Making yummy food: Corn casserole, green bean casserole, Parker house rolls, PW's mashed potatoes, and cream cheese pepper jelly dip.

10. Jason smoking the turkey to perfection.

11. My parents, J's parents, and my Grandma coming over for dinner. We are so blessed to all live so close.  

12. Eating delicious food, all gathered at one big table! 

13. A little Thanksgiving night shopping to work off the big meal, but home by 10!  

It was a good year!  Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

It takes a village...

That was the title of my friends email she sent out a few days ago. It takes a village. Her sweet baby was sick, and it was one of those days when it wasn't very convenient for that to happen! She had two kids to pick up from school, one that had two back to back activities, and a baby who needed to get to the doctor. How is a mom supposed to be in 2 or 3 places at once?

Friends, that's how.

And Family.

A village.

I firmly believe that we, as parents, are responsible for our children's discipline, teaching them good morals, and responsibility, and about God's endless love.

It gets overwhelming though, sometimes. How am I supposed to keep all the plates spinning? Between the hours of 4 and 8, we usually have an "extra" activity or two, homework, playtime, dinner, baths, reading time, and finally bed! By that time every night I am totally wiped out. And compared to some of our friends, our schedule is light!

Sometimes I have a little pitty party, because our family owns a business, and my husband can't just take time off if I need him to. He works a lot of hours and Saturdays, We have stores to run, no matter what. So every now and then, I get frustrated, and cry and stomp my feet, and wish he had an easier job so he could help me out. And then I remember that our business is doing okay. That his hard work takes care of us. That he is a wonderful husband and father, and he loves us so much. And I remember that yes, I need help, but God has provided that too.

If I am running late for school pick-up, I have a list of friends I can call (and often do!) If I have to be in two places at once, I have family that can "replace" me in one of those places. If I am sick, I know there are people who love my children, that can help me take care of them.

We help each other. We love each other. And when my friend called, we were there for her. It might take two or three friends to get the job done. And in the end, you might have to figure out who has what kid where! But it all works out.

So today, this first day of November, this is what I am thankful for. Family and Friends that I can count on.

My village.

Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for...





This year we celebrated at Dean and Denise's home. Good food, fun times! A couple of favorite memories are teaching the girls how to read the sale ads, and seeing them have fun making wish lists!


And this picture makes me crack up! My sweet husband couldn't keep his eyes open for a picture, so this is him trying not to close his eyes...



Too funny. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Shelley

THANKS!

THANK YOU FRAN!!!

She figured it out! I'm so glad I have bloggy friends who are smarter than I am!

Added...Thank you to Lisa at The Preachers Wife for helping Fran so she could help me!

Time

Today I've had time.

The girls spent the night at Grammie's last night, and we're not picking them up until tonight.

Thank you Grammie. THANK YOU!

Austin and I have spent the day at home. We've had time for lots of fun things...blocks, books, snacks, balls, chase, and counting toes. Most importantly he's had time for a good long NAP!

Time. It's something I don't take for granted anymore. I rarely have enough time in my day for everything I want to do. Today has been different though.

I've had time to relax. To watch a TV show in it's entirety!

I've had time to catch up on laundry, and not get behind on dishes.

I've had time to organize. A little in my clothes closet, but mostly in my scrapbook closet. Actually I moved my scrapbook closet, switching it with a different one that will be more convenient. Hopefully I will actually start using it now!

I've had time for a shower!

I've had time for a couple of uninterrupted phone calls!

I've had time to finish a book. I haven't done that in years. I know you're wondering which book...It was The Explosive Child, by Ross Greene. The title sounds scary, but it's been a fantastic book. Last week with Ellie was rough. This battle was just the beginning. I've been meaning to finish this book for almost a year. When I began it, and began implementing some of it's suggestions, I knew it was good. But time ran short, much like my memory, and soon I forgot what to do. So today I read up on my notes, and then finished the book. It took 2 1/2 hours of my time, but it was worth it. If you struggle with a child that explodes, whether it be with frustration or anger, this book is worth your time.

I've had time to think. To look through my planner and plan for the coming week. These are things I used to take for granted. It's hard to even think amongst the chaos that is often my life.

I've had time to pray. Oh Lord I apologize for almost forgetting this one today! You should have been my first priority! Thank You for my time!

I've even had time to blog. It's been a wonderfully rare day in my world, and I've cherished it.

Now it's time to go get my girls!

Thankful...

It is SO beautiful outside today! Seriously, SUNNY and 65 DEGREES!

I am so thankful for the sun and the warmth. There's nothing like a freezing cold, icy, snowy February, to make you truly appreciate a beautiful day!

We got home, and the girls raced out the door to the back yard.

I snuggled with Austin for a minute, and then layed him down. Which brings me to my second praise for this post...

Austin is napping.

Hallelujah!

Seriously, tomorrow!

Ok, first of all, Thank you all for your wonderful food suggestions and comments. Not only did ya'll help me (mentally) get out of my cooking rut, but you were also VERY supportive!

I have to confess that I forgot when I wrote my post yesterday, that we're going out for dinner tonight for a business meeting. BUT, I will not make a liar out of mysef, so I will be cooking for my kids!

They will be dining on the little smokies wrapped in crescent rolls (thanks janelle!) and green beans! They also had turkey and cheese roll-ups for lunch (thanks dawn!) and they've had grapes, banana's and pretzles for snacks! They have had all their food from home today! It's miraculous!

We also have a menu for the week, and I plan to stick to it! I'll keep you updated on the recipes we've tried and if we liked them or not.

Thanks for the help!

Tomorrow, I promise.

I just have a minute, 'cause I'm pretty sure Austin is eating cat food. So. . .

Thank you for all the great meal ideas! They really did inspire me!

This morning I went to the grocery store and spent $120 on Real Food!

Yeah me!

And soon my family will be saying, Yeah mom! (i can dream!)

We'll be cooking tomorrow night. I know, I know, I said staring Monday, but Michelle and Chris are having us over for dinner to celebrate Jason and Chris' dad's birthday. So, tomorrow, I promise.

And I'll let you know how it goes.

Hopefully I'll still be inspired tomorrow!

Oooo! I almost forgot (gotta love that Edit button!) I got my Monk and Neagle CD today! I feel so COOL!