Thanksgiving 2013

I sure have a whole lot to be thankful for.

Games

Conversations with sisters-in-law

Sons

Mother and Sister

 Cousins

Photo Bombers

Someone who loves cranberries made by their dad

A son who lets me take his picture

Rest...after eating too much cranberry sauce made by his father

Thankful for a husband who never fails to take care of us all. 

"They Match!"

Last night, the girls and I headed out to Wally World for a couple of items while Jack was in karate class.  I needed something for my phone and asked for help.  The lady was very pleasant and quite helpful.  She glanced at my girls, and said, "Aww", which I was sure was referring to their cuteness.

(You have to understand that now that I am a seasoned parent, my kids do not always look great when we head out.  Ivy is growing like a weed, so her pants are usually too short.  Plus, she never dresses for the weather.  Eva, of course, is always wearing camouflage and a Marine t-shirt, along with her hunting boots, and/or a hat with her uncombed hair .  Joy always looks the ragamuffin part with her hair a mess and a sneaky grin on her face at all times, a coat hanging off her shoulders.)

So, initially, I wasn't getting the lady's "Aww", but that was okay.  I continued making my decision about my purchase, then the lady said, "They match!".  I turned around, looking embarrassed at the way my girls were dressed.  Then I looked back at the lady and said, "Match?"  She replied, "Yes, they match!"  I turned around, stunned, because obviously, I slowly figured out, she was referring to their ethnicity, not their clothing.

Really?  If I had brought in my 3 biological children, I would never have gotten that comment.  I didn't just pick them up out of a line-up and think, "Wow, these girls will look great together as sisters because they almost "match" each other.  They were orphans.  No family.  No love.  They walked into a store with their Caucasian mother and helped her pick out an iphone accessory and some hair gel for big brother.  Afterward, they went to Wendy's for a chocolate frosty on a cold, windy night.

Sometimes, they can match...

To All Who Serve

I love my country.  I love the principles it was founded on.  I am so appreciative of all who choose to serve in the military for our country and our freedoms.  My dad was one of those proud Veterans.  I wish he was here so I could tell him how much I love and appreciate him.

(Dad would have chuckled had he been able to see himself on my blog...especially in uniform.)

My husband is one of those veterans too.  I am proud to say that we have a few veterans from both sides of our family who have served and are currently serving in branches of the military.

A Little Cake...

...a little candy...

 

...a new rash guard for Hawaii...

...a new video game...

 

...some cash from the family...a night out with his friends eating pizza, riding go-carts, and laser tagging.  There was nothing else this guy wanted for his birthday.  I love this guy.

My Life Lately

We're in somewhat of a lull now that two of my children have married, soccer break is on, and school just keeps moving on.  I've had a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride these last six months, though.  Probably longer than that if I'm quite honest about it all.  A whole lot of stuff has happened in our corner of the world.  Looking back, I wonder why I haven't lost my sanity by now.

At moments, I've wondered why I kept giving my heart and soul, time and energy to certain situations with nothing in return.  The Lord graciously spoke to me while I was in the "depths of despair".  I keep reading this over and over.  "But this I say, He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work....Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."  2 Corinthians 9:6-10.

We always think of this scripture in terms of tithing.  But, it says so much more.  I realized that I was not joyfully serving God.  It seemed like I was doing so much grudgingly and getting nothing in return.  But, is that what God wants?  Why can't I just give my heart, love, work, prayers, and kindness without expecting something in return?  Why do I always put a stipulation on my giving?  God says He will multiply the seeds I have sown and increase the fruits of my righteousness.  Him.  Not me.  Not the person I am praying for.  Not the person I am helping out or kind to.  Him.  It may seem like something so little to you, but it is a huge eye opener to me.  I wanted recognition from individuals for my deeds and prayers.  I wanted a response; results.  I made it all about me; but it isn't about me at all.

Now onto other things.  I love having a son at home.  He can do the dirty jobs; like pump my gas, take out the trash.

(I have to take pictures of him when he isn't looking.  That's why I carry my camera with me.)

But, for some reason, I have to get Ivy to kill the spiders that Jack runs from.  Pshhh.

The girls have been enjoying all the falling leaves.  It's been pleasantly nice in the 50-60's.  Yesterday was warm; around 80.

This year, I tried out a new curriculum in Math.  I am not a fan of rote memorization without understanding the numbers themselves.  That is why I loved Singapore Math.  I used that with Ivy when she first came home.  This curriculum is very similar in the fact that you calculate through grouping, but it is less expensive.

It started out a bit overwhelming, but I got it all figured out.  It is a lot of mental math and it is amazing to see the girls grasping this new concept of math.  They can actually add horizontally!  I am enjoying our math time so much more now.  Just me, my girls, and my dry erase board.  We have fun and I love seeing great things going on in their minds.

I got some new pictures of my son and (gulp) daughter-in-law.  Our sweet friend, Leanna, took them.  I cannot take credit for the photos.

And, Jack and I are anticipating a little trip soon.  I can't wait!  I'm counting down the days until I see my daughter!

I have the best husband in the world, ya'll.  He is sending me off with my son, while he stays home with the girls.  As much as I love my three girls, I think I got the better deal.  The girls probably think they got the better deal because they'll have plenty of pizza, chocolate, and late nights, I am sure.