My Thanksgiving song

For Your endless love

For the life You gave

For the second chance

For Your priceless grace

For Your healing hands

For the gift of peace

For the blessed hope

For the faith to believe

For these reasons I praise You

For these reasons I worship You

For these reasons I live to tell of Your love to all the world

(by Lincoln Brewster)

Thanksgiving Feast

The boy's preschool class had a Thanksgiving Feast today - and feast they had! Most of the families go above and beyond for such parties. They had Chick-Fil-A nuggets, mini-cheeseburgers, pigs in a blanket, fruit, veggies, popcorn, chips, cookies, jello, and the pumpkin pie they made on Tuesday. It is always fun to watch him with his friends and learn a little more about what he does Tuesday & Thursday mornings. Today they made the parents Thanksgiving cards sharing what they are thankful for. The boy's reads, "Dear Mama and Daddy, thank you for taking me to the playground. I love you." We have so much to be thankful for.

He would only make this silly face when I asked him to look at me.

The girl enjoying the feast.

The boy's teachers, Ms. Chism & Ms. Cude. He LOVES them, and they love him too. I am so thankful he has had two years of great teachers!

I learned today the boy seems to have a "favorite" friend. He & Nash play a lot together on the playground and with the cars. Ms. Cude said another boy, Danny, asked to join them the other day. The boys agreed. Danny asked what they were playing, and neither boy knew! Too funny! As we left, Nash asked Ms. Cude if he could come to our house to play. I'm thinking that will need to happen in the future. I'm thankful the boy has found a good friend, and I was glad to catch them fishing in the boat.

As long as the weather cooperates, we often spend some time playing on the playground after school. Due to brisk winds, most of our friends didn't stay today, but that allowed me to catch my two playing together.

Music fun

Here are 2 short videos of the kids playing Old McDonald one day a few weeks ago. (Old McDonald was a game taught by Zack on vacation...similar to musical chairs, the kids run around pillows and fall on one when you yell "stop". It's been a hit ever since coming home.) Pardon my singing, but I wanted to prove that the girl really does talk. She often clams up in public - even with my family! (That is obviously NOT from me!) I thought you might enjoy watching them play together. Pause the player at the bottom to hear the audio, and make sure to check out 2 other new posts below this one...I think I'm caught up now!

The first fire of the season

Clay built the first fire of this "winter" on Saturday. Our weather has been NUTS so it's hard to really call it fall/winter when it hit the upper 70s today! I wanted to document the moment, but only got 3 pictures before the batteries died. I charged them, but failed to take any more pictures. I love having a fire - makes home a little more cozy.

This is Clay telling me not to jinx it by taking a picture so early. It took a little while for the wood to catch. The kids were enthralled with the process, and so wanted to help. However, their "helping" was blowing on it which actually slowed the process!
Yes, the kids are still in their pjs in the late afternoon. Saturday was a lazy day for the kids (Clay and I both had commitments at various times) so we just decided to let them have a jammies day. No need to dirty up additional clothes when the kids never left the house!


"Do you see the fire, Mommy?"


This is the girl playing "Boo". Then the batteries died.

A visit from WV

It's been a while since I truly updated you on life around here. It's been a few crazy weeks with Clay's illness in the midst of overtime, various appointments, potty training, lunch with old friends in town for a weekend, a baby shower, a LifeGroup fellowship, and a visit from a dear friend from WV on top of regular life. Clay got hit with another stomach bug (or food poisoning) Monday night, the boy is battling a serious cold, and I am really tired of coughing. Other than that, we are doing great! (Sounds like it, huh?)

It was wonderful to have Meghan and her daughter, Reese, in town for 5 days. Meghan is a part of my gaggle, but God took her family back to WV to plant a church almost a year ago. Reese is only 6 days younger than the girl. It was fun to get the 4 girls born within 2 months back together (although we failed to get a picture with all 4 of them!), and to talk babies all over again as Meghan and Haley are welcoming their second children in just mere months!

Here's our mini-baby shower for Meghan's second daughter, Piper, who will join us in February. It was so fun to be able to celebrate this time with her in person instead of sending a shower in a box! (I apologize for the crazy nature of this post, but I wanted to share what is in each picture. All captions are for the pictures following it except the last one, obviously.)

Here is Meghan's daughter, Reese, pulling off one of her amazing stunts. She was standing in a Lego box, and then SAT DOWN. She stayed like that for quite a while balancing on the slender edge. Quite impressive!

On Monday, we headed to the zoo. It was amazing weather - hitting the 70s! We had a blast, and the animals were in rare form. I've never seen so many so active. Here's our group...

Watching the monkeys play around. I love that I caught Bethany in a model pose - totally accidental, but priceless!



The gorilla wasn't out in his normal area, but it gave us an up close experience. He put on quite a show even running by and banging on the glass.

"Do you see the giraffes, Mommy? Do you see them?"

I must admit I'd never seen a giraffe drinking water. What a funny stance.

The girl wanted to be like all the other big kids.

The lion cubs were having a blast wrestling and trying to climb a tree.

Getting a better view with the help of one of his favorite people.

Checking out the lion cubs having lunch.

Meghan and Reese - isn't this a great picture?

Having fun with one of his best buddies. I LOVE the look on his face as he looks at his friend.

She was copying all the big kids, and managed quite well.

Riding the train...

I had to capture this adorable moment. You would never know these girls were all born within 6 weeks of each other. They are lined up youngest to oldest from left to right.

Monday night we gathered at one of Meghan's favorite Mexican restaurants: On the Border. We got our friendly waiter to take our picture. It's just missing one additional beautiful blonde! We laughed a lot, ate too many chips & salsa, and indulged in some amazing desserts. What a wonderful way to cap off Meghan's visit.


L to R: Haley, Meghan, Kristina, Abby, me

Tagged again

Got tagged again; and since I haven't posted in over a week and don't really have anything other than what's running around in my head, I thought I would participate.

This time I went to the pictures on my external hard drive... and I found this picture of my brother-in-law, Eric, and my nephew, Dylan, the day Dylan was born about 3 1/2 years ago. Dylan has changed a lot, but Eric still looks about the same (well, he may or may not have the beard, but that changes almost every time I see him!).

It's a tie for the funniest part about this day for me: either my mom all gussied up ready for the surgery (apparently one size DOES NOT fit all) or the look on the nurses' faces when I walked in. I was 35 weeks pregnant - and looked like I was ready to pop at any moment. They were a bit relieved I wasn't there to deliver, but they seemed to keep a close watch as I waddled in and out all day. Sure enough, 5 weeks later I was in a room on their floor welcoming our sweet little boy.

Thanks, Mandy, for this trip down memory lane!

Randomness

I don't really have much to say (surprise, surprise), but a dear friend has chastised me for not posting more frequently (pause to note that she hasn't had a new post since OCTOBER 5th! Something about teaching and expecting her 2nd child...some people! Love you Haley!). Anyway, I thought I would just share some randomness so maybe my mind will clear a bit...

- Clay's been working overtime going on 3 weeks and it will continue at least for 2 more. Makes for long days for all, but he is a rock star. Until he got sick on Sunday, he's been coming in after 12/14 hour days and kickin' it in high gear with the kids. He chooses to get up early so he can still get home at a reasonable hour and have a couple hours with the kids. He gave me no grief about having a girls' day with my sister and mom on Saturday and encouraged me to head back up to worship Sunday morning after having to bring the boy home during LifeGroup. He has yet to complain. Our silver lining: his company pays for overtime even for salaried employees. The extra money paid for new tires and will obviously help in other ways too.

- The girl is talking more and more. She's been talking a lot, but usually just for us at home. I am enjoying learning more about her personality. She is definitely a lot like me, but she withdraws around new people and in new situations (just like her father). She begins to emerge once she comfortable, but it takes her a while. Her small size is becoming quite noticeable to me as she begins to act older, and others are quite surprised to find out how old she really is. She's somethin' I tell ya...and she melts my heart.

- Today marks my best friend's daughter's first birthday. Days like today make the distance seem massive. I didn't get to be at the hospital when that sweet girl was born like I was with her older sister, and I've only spent a total of like 2 weeks with her in her entire first year of life. I wish I was there to help celebrate today and Saturday, but I know they are serving exactly where God wants them.

- The next week holds 2 significant days for 2 of my closest friends - one marks one year since the loss of her 3rd child and the other marks the 2nd anniversary of her mother's homegoing. My heart is heavy for both of them, and yet there is little I can do to take the pain away. Words seem so empty. Food only fills the stomach. But the ache in my heart for them both is palpable.

- Life seems to be shifting again. It has shifted a lot over our 9 years of marriage - job changes, moving, changing churches, new friends, having kids, and friends moving away just to name a few. I can't place my finger on the specific catalyst for this shift, but it seems to be shifting. Perhaps it is simply a new perspective from my point of view. Perhaps it is our schedule that continues to fill up with preschool, church activities, and therapy appointments while others begin various activities with their kids. Perhaps it is the stage the kids are in or our friends' kids are in. It's not bad; but it's a change, and I'm often slow to adjust to change.

- Potty training will soon begin in our home. I tried a while back, but the boy just wasn't ready. Most likely I wasn't ready either. I'm not sure I'm ready now. I am ready to be done with all the diapers, but I just want to wake up on the other side! I've used various excuses, but now it is time to help guide the boy to more independence. Monday I tried the "hang out in the bathroom while juicing up the kids" for a few hours. I learned that the girl is not ready unless I want a MAJOR battle of wills and the boy needs a different approach. I'm hoping the girl will simply catch on as I focus on the boy. He fortunately knows what to do, but hasn't grasped the concept of figuring out he needs to go. So I think I am jumping off the dock tomorrow afternoon after school since we have nothing for several days. I am so not excited, but I know it must be done at some point.

- I'm not sure what to think about the outcome of yesterday. It was not the result I hoped for, but I wasn't crazy about either candidate. I am not really a political person. I was not raised in a political home. I did not enjoy government classes or such in high school and avoided them in college. Clay introduced me to it all honestly. He comes from a highly political family - extended family included. They can get some kind of fired up about it all. As I was talking with my gaggle last night, I realized a few things...(note, this is just my opinion and I would prefer no comment about my thoughts - they are simply that, my thoughts): 1) I am pretty uninformed and uneducated about it all. I'm finding it better just to avoid most political conversation. 2) I wonder how much goes on in Washington that we "common folk" don't know about...or what the powers that be sign off on to protect us (ever watched The Unit?). 3) How much can one many really change things? There is a system of checks and balances and very little in this country happens quickly. 4) We are a fickle people. The praise and adoration is as fleeting as the wind. If things don't happen in the time frame people desire, critique and anger will quickly come. And many promises were made (as always). 4) Yesterday was monumental, and I am thankful to have witnessed history. 5) Our president-elect makes me nervous. He made me uneasy the first time I laid eyes on him over 4 years ago as I watched his DNC speech. I knew nothing about him or his politics or such, but something sent chills up my spine. I wonder what has been started and what it means for our future. 6) As I ponder it all and the various things people are saying, I end up thinking about the potential for Christian persecution in our country. I have been so sheltered from the horrors that my brothers and sisters have faced. As I read The Left Behind series, I pondered it all as well. Would I have the faith to stand up for what I claim to believe? If they are holding a gun to my child's head, would I be strong in my faith? Sadly, I'm not sure what I would do. That makes me ill and sends me to my knees. 7) I am thankful, as many others have said, that God was on the throne Monday before we voted, yesterday as the outcome was determined, and each day from here on out. He was not surprised by this and He has a plan. If He has cared enough to make good out of the yuck of my own life, how much more does He care about our nation as a whole and bringing glory to His name through the messes we find ourselves in? I'm reminded of the song that says, "You are God alone, from before time began, You were on Your throne, You are God alone. And right now, in the good times and bad, You are on Your throne. You are God alone." There is only one Redeemer - He is Jesus, God's own Son. Thank you, O my Father, for sending us Your Son and leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done.

Little Miss Personality

I wanted to take a few pictures before the party Friday morning (see previous post). I thought the girl looked too cute - she was even wearing a bow! The boy was totally uncooperative - no surprise. This is a series of shots of the girl that shows a bit of her personality. In order taken with none left out and what I think she is thinking.

"I don't want to take a picture."

"Okay, I'll smile but not look at you."

"I'm so funny."

"You know I'm cute too!"

Great weekend

We had a great weekend. Friday began with a birthday party at one of our favorite parks. The kids had a blast as always. Sadly, I didn't get a picture with the birthday boy.










That night we decided to ignore Halloween/Fall festival activities and just hang out as a family. We went to another one of our favorite parks (the weather has been too amazing to stay indoors). The kids really enjoyed having Daddy along to help them play. The girl doesn't quite know she isn't as big as her brother. They played a lot together - and Daddy even joined in the slide races!
After playing outside for over an hour, we headed to one of our favorite eating establishments for dinner and more play time.

Fortunately I left the camera in the car so there is no proof that I ended up in the climbing apparatus with the kids.

We headed home for bath time, and then surprised the kids with a new movie (thanks, Abby, for letting us borrow from your stash!).



We enjoyed popcorn and the "move it, move it" movie (per the boy) in the dark to help avoid interruptions from trick or treaters. The boy had a grand time practicing his roar along with the lion in the movie, and both enjoyed dancing along with the songs.

Saturday provided me with a day off. My sister, my mom, a friend of my sister's, her mom, and I headed to First Monday Trade Days.


We enjoyed shopping and visiting for HOURS. It was so nice to leave during breakfast and return after the kids were in bed. It was a wonderful gift in the midst of long weeks while Clay works overtime. He earned a lot of brownie points for this one!

What a wonderful family-filled weekend!